Fugro has been awarded a contract by 50Hertz to deliver unexploded ordnance (UXO) survey, identification and clearance services for the LanWin3 and LanWin6 offshore grid connection projects in the German sector of the North Sea. The announcement was published on 27 October 2026 from Nootdorp, the Netherlands.

The work is intended to help 50Hertz prepare the routes for the safe installation of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables connecting offshore wind farms to Germany's electricity network. By identifying and addressing potential hazards ahead of construction, the survey and clearance program will clear the way for the cable corridors.

Part of Germany's Offshore Wind Expansion

LanWin3 and LanWin6 form part of Germany's ongoing expansion of its offshore wind energy infrastructure. Once completed, each grid connection is designed to transmit up to 2 GW of offshore wind power, providing a combined transmission capacity of 4 GW.

The projects are intended to bring more renewable electricity from the North Sea into the national grid, supporting energy security and helping Germany meet its climate targets.

The role of UXO work in such projects is significant. According to Fugro, an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of unexploded munitions remain in marine environments worldwide, making thorough UXO survey and clearance activities a critical step in enabling the safe development of offshore infrastructure.

Survey to Begin in 2027

The UXO survey is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2027 and will cover 200 m-wide corridors along both the LanWin3 and LanWin6 routes. The work will be carried out using two Geowing® systems, Fugro's fixed magnetic gradiometer arrays, each fitted with ten magnetic sensors to detect potential UXO and other objects on or beneath the seabed.

The survey will provide the Geo-data needed to map potential targets and create a master target list for further investigation.

Inspection, Identification, and Disposal in 2028

Follow-on inspection and identification activities will take place in 2028. These will use remotely operated vehicle technology and specialist detection systems to investigate selected targets and remove debris where required.

Fugro will also support the safe removal and disposal of any confirmed UXO in accordance with regulatory requirements, helping to prepare the cable corridors for installation.

Early Certainty for 50Hertz's Planning

Ronny Bøhn, Fugro's Director of Marine Geophysics for Europe and Africa, highlighted the uncertainty that UXO work must resolve on large offshore projects. "On a project of this scale, the challenge is that the number and nature of potential UXO can only be known once the survey is complete," he said.

"Building a reliable picture of the seabed at an early stage will allow 50Hertz to plan the next steps with greater certainty and manage safety throughout the cable installation program."

The contract ties together survey, identification, and clearance phases across 2027 and 2028, positioning Fugro to deliver the Geo-data and hazard mitigation needed before HVDC cable installation begins on the two multi-gigawatt grid connections.

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