Category: News

Swearing in and ceremonial pledge on the harbour island in Stralsund

On 12 December 2024, the public swearing-in and ceremonial pledge of 238 recruits of the Naval Technology School (MTS) took place on the harbour island of the Hanseatic city of Stralsund. The ceremony was led by frigate captain Thorsten Goertz, the deputy commander of the MTS. In addition to a speech by Lord Mayor Dr Alexander Badrow, Klaus Jürgen Strupp, President of the Rostock Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), addressed moving words to the recruits and their families. He emphasised the importance of commitment and responsibility for the common good. Traditionally, the parent with the longest journey was honoured. In this case, the mother travelled...

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How many maritime museums can Hamburg take?

Controversy surrounding the cost explosion of the planned German Harbour Museum. The Hamburg Taxpayers' Association, represented by its regional chairman Sascha Mummenhoff, has expressed serious concerns about the planned construction of the German Harbour Museum in Hamburg. Originally calculated at a cost of 185.5 million euros, this could rise to almost 500 million euros according to the Federal Audit Office. The Hamburg Historical Museums Foundation forecasts 450,000 visitors a year, which is considered unrealistic in view of the current visitor numbers of the existing harbour museum in Schuppen 50A (32,000 visitors) and the maximum of 150,000 visitors to the International Maritime Museum Hamburg. Peter Tamm, board member of the International Maritime Museum, also criticises the lack of coordination talks between the...

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Landing ship "Alexandr Shabalin" en route to Syria?

What next for Russia's naval units in Syria? Wait and see, evacuate or hold out. Support from a landing ship? Michael Nitz and Hans Uwe Mergener In the midst of the uncertainty surrounding the intentions of Russian naval units in the eastern Mediterranean, a ship movement in the Baltic Sea and its approaches draws attention. At around 14:00 on 10 December 2024, the Ropucha class landing ship "Aleksandr Shabalin", hull number 110, passed the bridge over the Great Belt on a northerly course. At present, the pending questions remain unanswered: Is she on her way to the Mediterranean? With what objective - geographically and operationally? In view of its history, the landing ship was at least temporarily reassigned to the...

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Frigate "Baden-Württemberg" fulfils wishes

Despite IPD obligations: Time for good deeds The ECHO crew of the "Baden-Württemberg" sailed the ship from San Diego to Singapore. It was weeks of training - alone and in association with partner nations from all over the world with ships, submarines and aircraft. In good maritime tradition, during the port call in Manila (Philippines) in September 2024, a large number of the gifts received during the tour, homemade items, flags of the association and the partner nations were auctioned off among the crew for charitable purposes. The first officer of the frigate at the time and interim commander of the F125 ECHO crew, frigate captain Alexander Koch, reported that a total of 12,500 euros was raised. With this...

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Joint declaration by BDLI and BDSV

On the occasion of the adoption of the National Security and Defence Industry Strategy The German security and defence industry as well as the aerospace industry welcome the conclusion of the strategy before the end of this legislative period as an important interim step. The next Federal Government must develop this paper further and implement it in dialogue with the industry. The impetus for arms exports and the participation of German companies in the operation of Bundeswehr capabilities procured abroad must be taken up and realised. The Federal Association of the German Security and Defence Industry (BDSV) and the Federal Association of the German Aerospace Industry (BDLI) welcome the "National Security and Defence Industry Strategy" adopted today as a constructive approach to the German government's...

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