The German government inaugurated a new central maritime safety and security center in Cuxhaven on the North Sea on January 16, the Fairplay Daily News reported.
The new center combines various agencies including the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, the control centers of the waterways police and Customs department, and shipping administration under one umbrella.
The facility acts as a coordination center with all participating agencies maintaining their official independence.
Although critics have pointed out that the new entity cannot match the capabilities of an integrated coastguard, it is considered as a reliable platform for crisis response.
