Joint procurement as a premiere
The requirements for police boats differ depending on the area of operation, such as coastal waters, canals, harbours or inland waters. Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein have pooled their largely similar requirements and prepared a joint tender for new patrol boats for the first time. The reason for this was the ageing of the existing fleet. Specialists from both waterway police forces developed harmonised specifications and accompanied the entire tendering process.
Schleswig-Holstein's Minister of the Interior, Magdalena Finke, speaks of a pioneering project, as this is the first time that the waterway police of both states have formulated joint requirements and invited tenders together. Hamburg's Senator of the Interior Andy Grote emphasises the close cooperation between the security authorities and describes the new fleet as an important investment in security on the waterways of the north.
Six boats in service and option for further units
The first step was to procure six mobile patrol boats, three for the Schleswig-Holstein waterway police and three for Hamburg. The boats were commissioned in December 2025 by Aluminium car and have since been on the road on daily patrol duty and in special situations. The tender also includes an option for eight additional units for Schleswig-Holstein, which can be called up if required and funding is available.
The boats are around eight metres long, equipped with 250 hp Mercury outboards and designed for fast and manoeuvrable operations.
Technology and equipment
The new boats are intended to make the waterway police more flexible and effective. The acting head of the Schleswig-Holstein waterway police, Sarah Lampe, cites the significantly more space on board, modern sensor technology and the extended radius of action as progress.
The equipment includes a radar system, a thermal imaging camera and other technology that enables longer and more versatile operations. The additional sensor technology supports the crews during operations in the dark, in fog or with limited visibility and improves situational awareness. Lampe speaks of a clear tactical advantage for the water police in coastal waters, on the Kiel Canal and in harbours.
Synergies through the same type of boat
A key aspect of the cooperation is that the boats are of the same type. Both countries use identical mobile patrol boats, thus creating a standardised technical basis for maintenance, training and operational planning.
Joint procurement improves the availability of spare parts, enables joint maintenance contracts with external service providers and leads to more favourable conditions due to the higher number of units. The standardised fleet also facilitates transnational support in the event of major operations, as the crews work with familiar technology.
