Numerous conversions turned a merchant ship into a floating operations centre. The OCEAN TRADER is used by the American special forces to support their worldwide operations. The ship was built in 2011 as the CRAGSIDE at Odense Staalskibsværft for Maersk. The US Navy agreed a long-term leasing contract with Maersk in 2013 and had the ship built between 2015 and 2017.
For some years now, the Iranian naval forces have had a number of unusual units at their disposal. The converted merchant ships are intended for the use of drones. For over ten years, rumours have been circulating on social media that Iran was planning to acquire its own aircraft carriers. At the beginning of 2014, these rumours seemed to become reality when satellite images...
The automation of shipping also offers opportunities and challenges for the navy. It is crucial that regulations are put in place soon to enable the operation of autonomous ships within a legally secure framework. In future, the navy must demonstrate even greater combat readiness and presence in its operating areas and be able to provide continuous situational awareness across all areas of operation.
Since its foundation 30 years ago, the Rostock-based company Tamsen Maritim has developed into a recognised and renowned German shipyard. The reestablishment of Tamsen Maritim marked the beginning of another chapter in the history of Rostock as a shipbuilding centre steeped in tradition, thus forming the basis for the successful development of today's...
No naval vessel today is likely to be travelling without a gyrocompass. The navigation aid was developed by Herrmann Anschütz-Kaempfe, who gave his name to the Kiel-based company. The red logo of the Anschütz company is familiar to all seafarers and those with professional or private ties to the sea. It immediately brings to mind the gyrocompass, of course. This company invented it, but...
With the OPEX test series, the navy is feeling its way towards the future use of unmanned boats. The "Tamsen Jet" from Tamsen Maritim and Anschütz demonstrates what a national industrial initiative can achieve. OPEX as a testing ground for maritime autonomy With the Operational Experimentation (OPEX) test series, the German Navy is driving forward the integration of unmanned surface vehicles into its...
A risk for security and the maritime economy On 23 June 2025, the Federation of German Industries (BDI) published the position paper "Strengthening overall defence" with an overall view of security policy, dependence on raw materials and technology. Back in November 2024, the BDI held a raw materials congress in Berlin to highlight the dangerous dependencies in the supply of raw materials for the German and...
The Fassmer shipyard in Berne has been a successful and internationally recognised shipbuilding company for five generations and is a fascinating example of entrepreneurial perseverance, technical innovation and family continuity. The history of the shipyard begins in 1850 with the boatbuilder Johannes Fassmer. Founded as a one-man business in Berne-Bardenfleth in the Wesermarsch district of Lower Saxony, the company initially built small wooden...
On 5 September 2025, the shipyard celebrated its anniversary with a ceremony and guests from politics, business and the maritime industry. The company presented its entrepreneurial milestones, technical pioneering work and the transformation of a medium-sized company into an international speciality shipbuilder. "Sometimes the sea is as smooth as glass, sometimes you fight against the...
15 beer tables are part of the standard equipment for every volunteer fire brigade in Bavaria. The average lifespan of such a beer table is 30 years. In the days when the navy was still responsible for its own armour, the service life of a frigate was also calculated at around 30 years. Since the magic number of destroyers...
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