Germany's BSH Launches Tender for North Sea Offshore Wind Survey 2027-2028

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has launched a tender for preliminary geophysical surveys at offshore wind farm sites in Areas 3 and 4 of the German North Sea Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The project, covering the years 2027 and 2028, will collect seabed and subsurface data required for offshore wind development in accordance with Germany's Site Development Plan (FEP).

The survey scope includes full-area multibeam echosounder measurements (with backscatter data), side-scan sonar surveys (combined with grab sampling and underwater video for ground-truthing), as well as line-based magnetometer and sub-bottom profiler surveys. In addition, the survey program includes localized inspections using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to verify targets.

The contract also includes an option for similar surveys in other areas of the German North Sea EEZ in 2029 and 2030. BSH stated in the tender notice that the scope of the follow-up work will depend on the requirements of the Offshore Wind Energy Act (WindSeeG) and the FEP. The application deadline for this tender is September 29, 2026.

The two areas involved in this tender are located in the more distant parts of the German North Sea EEZ. Area 3 includes the N-9 to N-13 zones; the N-14 to N-20 zones, located in Areas 4 and 5, have been earmarked as potential future offshore wind development areas.

BSH is currently updating the plans and schedules for several designated offshore wind areas. In June 2026, the agency published a draft amendment to the FEP concerning changes to the N-10.1, N-10.2, N-12.4, N-12.5, N-13.1, and N-13.2 sites. This amendment is expected to be finalized in the third quarter of 2026.