Germany Balances Storm Losses and NATO’s Baltic Sea Security Push
Natural hazards in Germany during the first half of 2025 resulted in insured losses of approximately €1 billion, a figure below the long-term average. Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to visit the German-led Combined Task Force (CTF) Baltic, established to secure the Baltic Sea and plan NATO's maritime missions near the Russian border.
Chancellor Merz's visit to the naval base in Rostock will be his first, where he will present the naval operations of the crew on board the ship. The CTF Baltic, under his command since October 2024, has been monitoring security in the Baltic Sea for NATO.
Storms, hail, and lightning were the primary causes of property damage claims, with floods and heavy rain adding another €100 million to the losses. If the second half of the year brings only average losses, total losses for 2025 could be around €4.5 billion, well below the typical €6.3 billion for a year.
In response to Russia's actions in the Baltic Sea, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for stronger security cooperation with Estonia and Denmark. During his recent visits to these countries, he warned of Russia's 'hybrid aggression', citing incidents such as the severing of underwater cables and GPS disruptions.
Chancellor Merz's visit to the CTF Baltic underscores Germany's commitment to NATO's maritime missions and the security of the Baltic Sea region. The lower-than-average insured losses from natural hazards in the first half of the year offer some relief, but the potential for increased losses remains. Strengthened security cooperation with Estonia and Denmark, as advocated by Foreign Minister Wadephul, is seen as a crucial step in countering Russia's 'hybrid aggression'.
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