Border security supports the growth of offshore wind in the Baltic Sea

Offshore operations beyond territorial waters

Poland's offshore wind farms are located more than 22 nautical miles from the coast, outside the country's territorial sea but within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). While these waters are not part of Poland's sovereign territory, the state exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over economic activities, including offshore renewable energy developments.

The growing number of daily offshore transfers requires well-defined procedures to ensure compliance with national and European Union regulations while maintaining the security of critical energy infrastructure.

Risk-based border control

Before vessels depart for offshore installations, officers of the Maritime Unit of the Polish Border Guard conduct a risk assessment to determine whether a border inspection is required. Where applicable, inspections include verification of crew and passenger lists, travel documents, identity and nationality of all persons on board.

These procedures allow authorities to confirm that offshore personnel movements comply with applicable border regulations while reducing the risk of irregular migration, document fraud and other security threats.

Responsibilities of vessel operators

Efficient processing depends largely on advance notification from shipowners and vessel operators. Planned offshore voyages must be reported to the competent Border Guard unit responsible for the relevant maritime border crossing point.

Border clearance for vessels serving offshore wind projects is carried out by Border Guard units operating in the ports of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Władysławowo and Ustka. Prior to departure, operators submit information on crew members and offshore personnel travelling to construction or maintenance sites.

All persons on board are required to carry valid travel documents. Depending on nationality, non-EU citizens may also need residence permits or other documents authorising entry and stay within the European Union.

Digital border management

Border inspections are supported by the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital platform designed to register the entry and exit of third-country nationals travelling to the Schengen Area for short stays.

The system records travel document data, biometric identifiers, including fingerprints and facial images, as well as the time and place of border crossings and any refusal-of-entry decisions.

The use of biometric verification strengthens border security by improving identity checks, preventing the use of fraudulent documents and helping authorities monitor compliance with permitted lengths of stay.

Security as an enabler of offshore development

The rapid expansion of offshore wind in the Baltic Sea depends not only on engineering expertise and maritime logistics but also on effective border management and the protection of critical infrastructure.

As offshore operations continue to increase in scale, the role of the Maritime Unit of the Polish Border Guard will remain an integral part of the operational framework supporting Poland's offshore wind ambitions. Modern border procedures and digital control systems contribute to the safe movement of personnel while ensuring that one of Europe's fastest-growing offshore wind markets develops in a secure and regulated environment.