On May 31, the deckhouse and the hull of the next auxiliary of the Berlin Class for the German Navy met for the first time to be assembled at the Emder Werft und Dockbetriebe (EWD). Both parts travelled a few weeks earlier from Wolgast and Flensburg to Emden, whereas in Emden the RAS-Mast and crane pillars were preassembled. Over the next 16 months, further assignments will be carried out, including fitting, the beginning of operation, and sea trials, to name a few. The ship will eventually be delivered to its customer, the German Procurement Agency, in 2012. The vessel has a number of significant improvements and extensions compared to its predecessors. These include the integrated bridge, a double hull in accordance with MARPOL, a new air-conditioning design, additional air-surveillance radar, more powerful engines, and advanced helicopter controls. Furthermore, the vessel incorporates a new crewing concept.
Responsible for the design and construction of the auxiliary is the EGV Consortium (ARGE), which consists of the Flensburger Schiffbaugesellschaft, the P+S Werften, the Fr. Lürssen Werft and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has subcontracted its wholly owned subsidiary Emder Werft und Dockbetriebe for the entire scope of its work share. EWD in turn is strongly supported by its sister company Blohm + Voss Naval, which provides 40% of all engineering services and system responsibilities. The wedding of both parts in Emden marks one of the key events of the construction of the next auxiliary for the German Navy.