Germany plans €1.5bn Bremerhaven defence hub upgrade

Germany plans to upgrade the North Sea port of Bremerhaven to support national and NATO defence needs, officials said. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius signed a memorandum of understanding for the project, which is expected to cost about €1.5 billion. The port would become a deployment hub if NATO faced an attack.

The plan includes improvements to bridges, roads and railways to help move military equipment arriving at the port. Bremen airport is also expected to receive additional logistics space. Pistorius said tens of thousands of soldiers could need accommodation and food, while machinery and equipment would need to be maintained and operated.

The project reflects European security planning after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said a meeting between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov showed that Moscow was not interested in serious talks to end the war in Ukraine. The meeting was the first in-person encounter between the countries’ foreign ministers since the invasion began.

Merz said Germany was ready to support Ukraine over a long period if Russia was not prepared to negotiate. Lavrov, speaking at the UN General Assembly, said Russia’s stated war aims would be achieved. The roundup also reported that about 3,000 people were evacuated in Cologne after a one-tonne Second World War bomb was found near the Rhine.

The device was moved and detonated under controlled conditions. A 14-month closure of the rail line between Hanover and Berlin is planned for renovations from Friday. Trains will be diverted and some journeys will take about 80 minutes longer.

Police in Rhineland-Palatinate will also receive teddy bears to comfort children during emergencies.