About

The JPI Oceans Munitions Portal is the central European platform for addressing the wide-ranging issue of munitions in the marine environment. The portal was created to overcome knowledge fragmentation, support informed policymaking and encourage cooperation across national and disciplinary boundaries. Coordinated by JPI Oceans, hosted by Fraunhofer ICT and developed by a network of leading experts, it functions as a decision-support tool and long-term knowledge base for a diverse audience, including policymakers, researchers, environmental agencies and the general public.

A core aim of the portal is to bring greater visibility to an often overlooked legacy. Many underwater munitions remain uncharted and are not routinely considered in environmental or safety planning. Without a clear picture of their distribution, condition or potential impact, it is difficult to manage the risks they pose. The portal addresses this challenge by providing expert-validated, up-to-date information on mapping and classification, risk assessment and remediation.

In parallel, it reduces duplication and prevents the loss of valuable research and technical knowledge. Much of what has been learned to date remains scattered or inaccessible, weakening the foundations for coordinated action. By consolidating past and ongoing efforts, the portal helps ensure that strategies are informed by shared evidence and experience.

Designed to support evidence-based decision-making and cross-sector collaboration, the portal offers practical guidance, case studies, research outputs and stakeholder directories. Its content reflects both scientific rigour and a strong commitment to public engagement, with accessible summaries and educational resources available to a wide user base.

The platform also helps clarify institutional responsibilities. The management of underwater munitions intersects with environmental protection, maritime security, fisheries, and marine spatial planning, among others. These responsibilities often vary between countries and sectors. By offering a European overview, the portal contributes to a more coherent and transparent governance landscape.

Background and development

The portal is a major outcome of the JPI Oceans Joint Action on Munitions in the Sea, which concluded in 2024. Through a dedicated Knowledge Hub, experts from multiple disciplines and countries worked together to develop a shared framework for understanding and addressing this multifaceted issue.

The concept of the portal took shape during the Kiel Munition Clearance Week 2021, where its initial structure and purpose were defined. The official launch at European Maritime Day 2024 in Svendborg, Denmark, marked a major milestone in collaborative efforts to reduce the risks associated with underwater munitions.

Further development is now supported in part by the EU-funded MMinE-SwEEPER project, ensuring the portal remains current, reliable and aligned with the needs of its users. As a living resource, it will continue to evolve alongside research, policy and practice, helping build a future in which the legacy of underwater munitions is actively and responsibly managed.