The radar data will help authorities detect and respond to unusual maritime activity, including unauthorised vessels and potential threats to infrastructure
In response to growing maritime security concerns, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, German authorities have instructed offshore wind farms along the northern coast to install advanced radar systems to support the surveillance of ships and drones. The move reflects a broader effort to strengthen the security of critical infrastructure in European waters.
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) confirmed that operators of offshore wind farms must now equip suitable structures with state-of-the-art radar technology. The requirement, part of new technical standards introduced in January 2025, is aimed at enhancing the monitoring of maritime traffic and supporting transport safety.
“The data is primarily used to secure transport routes,” said Nico Nolte, a BSH official, in comments to Bild. “It is also delivered to the federal maritime security centre in Cuxhaven,” he added, referring to the hub responsible for safeguarding Germany’s coastal regions.
The radar data will help authorities detect and respond to unusual maritime activity, including unauthorised vessels and potential threats to infrastructure. Concerns have grown following reports of navigation systems being deliberately turned off and vessel locations being spoofed to evade detection. These tactics are reportedly used by elements of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, employed to bypass European Union oil sanctions.
One such vessel, the Eventin, was found drifting in German waters and was subsequently towed by local authorities. German customs have now launched an investigation into the tanker, which the EU believes is operating under the radar to continue transporting sanctioned oil. Elsewhere in the Baltic Sea, the Finnish Coast Guard reported instances of satellite signal disruptions and anomalies in vessel tracking.
Germany’s new radar mandate reflects a broader shift towards proactive maritime security, with officials aiming to gain better visibility over marine activity in the North and Baltic Seas—regions critical for trade, energy infrastructure, and national security.
This push comes alongside Germany’s wider defence and security overhaul. A recent constitutional reform—backed by parties preparing to form the next government—has paved the way for significantly increased investment in security, effectively removing previous budgetary constraints in these domains.
As geopolitical tensions persist, Germany’s move to leverage offshore wind infrastructure for maritime monitoring signals a dual-purpose strategy—harnessing clean energy assets not only for sustainability but also for national defence.
