Bundeswehr is planning a new naval port in Emden

According to plans by the Bundeswehr, a new naval port for the Bundeswehr is to be built in Emden on the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Olaf Lies signed a declaration of intent for the construction of the military base.

According to Pistorius, this is an investment worth billions. If possible, the port should be ready in the early 2030s. “Emden will again be the location of the German navy,” said Olaf Lies. The Navy is currently the smallest in the history of the Bundeswehr, although at the same time it has to fulfill the largest and most extensive tasks. The navy must and will therefore grow.

It is also important that the Navy gets a second base on the North Sea in addition to Wilhelmshaven. The navy will become more flexible and agile. »This makes it more difficult for us to predict in an emergency and increases our operational options. That’s what ultimately matters,” said Pistorius. To date, the naval port in Wilhelmshaven is the only one on the North Sea coast. The Navy and the Federal Ministry of Defense had recently examined possible additional locations, including Bremerhaven.

Lower Saxony state government shows “great interest”

According to information from the dpa news agency, the navy needs an area of 40 hectares with the option of an additional ten hectares. The new naval port will provide berths for seven frigates, ten minesweepers and ten tugs. It is expected that a four-digit number of soldiers and civilian employees will work there. According to the minister, up to 2,000 positions could be created in Emden in the long term.