Wilhelmshaven

Wilhelmshaven sits on Jade Bay and includes several harbors, container terminals and naval facilities spread across more than 70 square kilometers. The waterfront connects industrial docks with shipyards and public promenades along the shore.

King Wilhelm I of Prussia founded the settlement in 1869 as a naval base on the North Sea. The port grew during the 20th century into a major hub for cargo and warships.

The name honors King Wilhelm I of Prussia and reflects the maritime identity still visible in naval ships moored at the docks. The Naval Museum displays uniforms, weapons and restored boats from several eras, which visitors can view from outside and sometimes board.

The JadeWeserPort receives large container ships in water 18 meters deep and is Germany's only deep-water port. Visitors can walk the harbor promenades and watch ship movements from the shore.

The settlement operates Germany's first liquefied natural gas terminal, which received its initial shipment in December 2022. The facility now supplies imported gas from overseas to large parts of the country.

Location: Lower Saxony

Inception: 1869

Elevation above the sea: 2 m

Part of: Bremen/Oldenburg Metropolitan Region

Shares border with: Friesland, Wangerland, Sande

Address: 26 Wilhelmshaven, Germany

Website: https://wilhelmshaven.de

GPS coordinates: 53.52861,8.10556

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:00