On Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the replenishment ship “Berlin” will enter its home port of Wilhelmshaven. The “Berlin,” under the command of Commander Karsten Uwe Schlüter, has participated in multinational exercises in the North Atlantic and off the coast of the United States.
“The recent voyage, from the icebergs of the Arctic Circle to the subtropical climate zone of Florida, demanded a great deal from the ship and crew, not just in terms of climate. However, we were able to successfully complete our mission – everyone involved could always rely on the ‘Berlin’!” said the commanding officer. The replenishment ship “Berlin” was the first German Navy vessel to arrive in Nuuk, Greenland. In the waters around Greenland, the crew also had to contend with unusual weather conditions, such as encountering icebergs in dense fog. The ship continued to make history throughout the voyage:
The “Berlin” visited New York for the first time. Upon departure on September 11, 2025, the ship sailed down the Hudson River with large banners reading “9/11 – Never Forget”. On this significant anniversary, the German Navy reaffirmed its solidarity with the USA and commemorated the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
“The subsequent UNITAS 2025 exercise off the coast of Florida, with ships from over 20 different nations, was a fantastic experience, including the associated port phases. The crew thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of belonging to a large naval family from many countries and training together at sea,” says Commander Schlüter. “I look back on our completed deployment with pride – we fulfilled our mission! We were always where we were needed, always flexible and ready to support other ships at sea,” he continues.
The replenishment ship “Berlin” has covered nearly 17,000 nautical miles, which is equivalent to approximately 31,000 km. The ship is returning to Wilhelmshaven with 180 people on board. In addition to the crew, personnel from Naval Air Wing 5 in Nordholz, the shipborne weapons group of the Naval Infantry Battalion in Eckernförde, and Helicopter Wing 64 from Laupheim (Baden-Württemberg) were among those on board.