In the field of Earth observation, DLR is developing services based on the EU’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme to contribute to monitoring the world’s oceans. GMES data products are used to evaluate sea state, sea ice and oil pollution and can be used for wind measurement and ship detection.
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Getty Images
Action against piracy
One of the aims of DLR research in the field of maritime security is to detect illegal activities better and more quickly on the world’s oceans, but also to warn ships of heavy seas and other approaching watercraft. The image shows a special team from GSG9, a tactical unit of the German Federal Police, in action against piracy.
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picture alliance/dpa
Maritime safety and security are of great importance to the Federal Republic as an export-oriented country. DLR makes an important contribution to increasing maritime safety and security. The maritime industry benefits not only from the authorities and public institutions, but also from the innovative solutions provided by DLR's security research. Both globalisation and population and economic growth have multiplied the number of shipping movements for the transport of goods and tourism. In addition, the oceans serve as a diverse source of resources and as an important location for offshore wind fields. This has resulted in a dependence on the maritime space that is hardly apparent to many people today.
DLR is addressing the issues of maritime security in an effective and synergetic way. The maritime system must be seen as a network of often critical infrastructures. These pose many challenges in terms of a safe working environment, secure transport routes, efficient and safe shipping and a marine environment that is as unpolluted as possible. With its research network for maritime security, DLR is contributing towards the implementation of the Federal Government's National Masterplan for Maritime Technologies (NMMT) and the Maritime Agenda 2025 of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in close cooperation with industry.
Civil maritime security research at DLR covers topics from the aeronautics, space and transport research programmes that are directly related to maritime security matters:
Terrestrial and space-based communications and navigation
Airborne and space-borne monitoring of the maritime environment
Big data analysis, data intelligence and knowledge discovery
Continued development of flight systems for maritime applications
Development and improvement of sensor technology for maritime aspects; and
