Fugro to Sweep 200 m-Wide North Sea Corridors for 50Hertz's 4 GW LanWin3 and LanWin6 Cable Routes

Fugro, the Nootdorp-headquartered geodata specialist, has secured a contract from German transmission operator 50Hertz covering unexploded ordnance survey, identification and clearance work on two major offshore grid connections in the German North Sea.

A seabed mapped before cables can be laid

The announcement was published by the company on 27 October 2026. The assignment supports 50Hertz's LanWin3 and LanWin6 projects, both of which are designed to carry up to 2 GW of offshore wind power apiece, for a combined 4 GW of transmission capacity into Germany's national grid. Before high-voltage direct current cables can be installed along the corridors, potential hazards on or under the seabed must be located and dealt with.

The scale of the underlying risk is considerable. According to figures cited by Fugro, an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of unexploded munitions remain in marine environments worldwide, making systematic UXO survey and clearance a critical enabler for offshore infrastructure development.

Geowing arrays to scan the routes from mid-2027

The survey phase is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2027. Fugro will deploy two of its Geowing systems, fixed magnetic gradiometer arrays each equipped with ten magnetic sensors, to detect potential ordnance and other objects along 200 m-wide corridors on both routes. Data gathered during this campaign will be used to map potential targets and compile a master target list for subsequent investigation.

ROV inspection and disposal follow in 2028

A second phase of work is planned for 2028, when inspection and identification activities begin. Fugro will deploy remotely operated vehicle technology alongside specialist detection systems to examine selected targets and clear debris where necessary. The company will also assist with the safe removal and disposal of any confirmed UXO in line with regulatory requirements, leaving the cable corridors ready for installation.

Contractor stresses early certainty for the grid operator

Ronny Bøhn, Fugro's Director of Marine Geophysics for Europe and Africa, pointed to the inherent uncertainty in work of this kind. "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 programme."

Two links in Germany's offshore build-out

LanWin3 and LanWin6 sit within Germany's wider programme of expanding offshore wind infrastructure in the North Sea. Once finished, the two connections are intended to channel additional renewable electricity from the sea into the national grid, contributing to energy security and the country's climate targets.