Six partners, one mission

The Navy at the Cuxhaven Maritime Safety Centre

The Maritime Security Centre (MSZ) in Cuxhaven is the result of a wide range of considerations aimed at increasing maritime security and pooling expertise. The federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany requires complex and creative solutions in order to be able to react effectively and efficiently when necessary.

Various concepts were repeatedly thought through and implemented in stages. Two coastguard centres were set up in Neustadt and Cuxhaven following a decision by the German parliament in 1994. Subsequently, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Interior decided to set up a coordination network for law enforcement forces, although this did not constitute a separate office. The interior ministers of the five coastal states subsequently agreed to participate in the coast guard centres. In this respect, the internal security forces were initially able to establish a joint working relationship. Contractual or administrative co-operation with the navy was not yet conceivable at this time.