German authorities order four vessels for fleet renewal
The German government has commissioned four new vessels to strengthen its federal maritime capabilities, awarding contracts to shipyards in Spain and Germany.
As part of its renewal programme, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) will receive two new multi-purpose ships to replace the vessels “Wega” and “Deneb”.
The newbuilds will mainly operate on methanol. “The engines are designed for green methanol and reduce CO₂ emissions in the maritime sector,” says BSH President Helge Heegewaldt. Both ships have been awarded the “Blue Angel, UZ-141 for ship design” environmental quality mark.
They also meet the DNV “Silent-R” standard for research vessels. Low-noise operation is intended to protect marine fauna and enable more precise acoustic measurements. A modern dynamic positioning system will allow precise positioning for safe diving operations and the use of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), enabling complex underwater work to be carried out efficiently and reliably.
The ships will be equipped with modern hydrographic sensors and measurement technology for surveying the seabed and water column. Autonomous survey vehicles will also be used for the first time, significantly increasing operational efficiency, according to the BSH.
Costs and delivery schedule
The total cost of both newbuilds amounts to €270 million. The new “Wega” is scheduled for completion in 2029, followed by the new “Deneb” in 2030. The Spanish Gondan shipyard won the tender with its “economic efficiency and high quality standards” and is planning the ships entirely digitally, using technologies such as welding robots.
Each vessel will be 70 m long, 15 m wide and have a draught of 4.2 m. The crew will consist of 18 people, with space for up to seven scientists. The new “Wega” will be stationed in Hamburg, while the new “Deneb” will be based in Rostock. Both ships are designed for a 30-year service life.
“With the modernization of the fleet, we are ensuring constant operational readiness in the North Sea and Baltic Sea,” explains Heegewaldt. “In the event of accidents, we can quickly investigate underwater obstacles. Our surveying and oceanographic data collection are also relevant for Germany’s naval defense capability.”
Two new pilot transfer vessels for the GDWS
The Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (GDWS) will also receive two new vessels. According to a joint press release, two SWATH pilot transfer vessels were ordered on November 18 for the Lotsbetriebsverein e.V. from the Abeking & Rasmussen shipyard in Lemwerder. They will replace the SWATH tenders “Duhnen” and “Döse” and are due for delivery at the end of 2027.
The vessels will be 25.63 m long, 14.27 m wide and have a draught of 2.70 m. They will feature a diesel-electric drive, with two diesel engines supplying electric motors that drive two propellers each. Transport capacity is specified as twelve people plus crew, with additional space for supplies.
The SWATH design ensures stable sailing behavior and provides a safe working platform for pilot transfers in rough seas. Most of the buoyant volume is below the waterline, minimizing relative motion during transfers and increasing safety while extending the operational weather window.
“For us, the new SWATH tenders are more than just technical projects,” says GDWS President Anke Leue. “Their special design ensures safety and confidence even in rough weather and will make pilots’ work easier and safer.”
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