Raid in the Kiel Kiel Canal: Suspicion of espionage against freighters!

Raid in the Kiel Kiel Canal: Suspicion of espionage against freighters!

On September 7, 2025, a large-scale search of the cargo ship “Scanlark” in the Kiel Canal caused a stir. The police from Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, supported by special diving teams, examined the 75 meter long ship. The suspicion: It could have been used for espionage operations. According to NDR, a drone was launched from the ship with the intention of spying on a naval ship.

During the search, investigators discovered devices and antennas that should not be found on a cargo ship, which further strengthened their suspicions. The case is being closely followed by the Flensburg public prosecutor's office, which has initiated proceedings for agent activity and images that endanger security. The “Scanlark”, which sails under the flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, had previously come into the focus of the authorities because of course deviations and technical problems.

Espionage suspected

The suspicion that the ship served as a base for Russian spies is raising eyebrows. According to information from the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt was informed about the threat in July, which ultimately led to the raid. In a meeting at the BKA compound in Berlin, the minister spoke about the dangers posed by drone operations near military installations. This is not an isolated matter, as sightings of spy drones over Bundeswehr locations have caused uncertainty in the past.

As Tagesschau reports, the threat posed by drones has been increasingly recognized and defense techniques are being developed to effectively counter this danger. Studies and tests show that modern technology such as safety nets and microwave cannons are used to defend against drones. But the challenge remains because autonomous drones can navigate independently, which makes the situation complicated.

Investigations in focus

What will happen to the temporarily detained freighter “Scanlark” and its crew remains uncertain for the time being. The ship, which was already in the sights of the authorities after several incidents in the past, including an accident in December 2022 and an engine failure in January 2015, is currently in Kiel's North Harbor. This case is expected to be discussed in the Interior and Legal Affairs Committee of the Schleswig-Holstein state parliament in October.

The cooperation between the security authorities in Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony is seen as crucial in order to be able to better counter such dangers in the future. The investigation into possible agent activity shows that the drone sightings, which have been widely reported in the past, pose serious security risks in Germany. It remains exciting to see what develops from the ongoing investigations and what measures are taken to ensure the security of the Bundeswehr locations.