National and Regional Coordination

European coastal states are actively addressing the issue of munitions in the sea through various national efforts, involving actors such as the navy, coast guard and explosive ordnance disposal services. A key part of this work is the collection and continuous updating of data, which forms the foundation for managing and eliminating these military legacies.

To enhance the effectiveness of these efforts, international cooperation plays a crucial role. Through intergovernmental working groups and institutions, as well as regional frameworks such as those established by the EU, national actions are aligned and coordinated. Regional sea conventions also play a significant role, providing platforms for joint assessment, information exchange and policy development. This collaboration ensures a more unified approach to addressing the challenges posed by underwater munitions, contributing to the broader regional goals set out under international conventions and agreements.

Below are the major organisations covering the different sea basins.

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Baltic Sea

HELCOM

HELCOM is an intergovernmental organization bridging policy and science on matters related to the environment of the Baltic Sea. A regional platform for environmental policy making, HELCOM was established in 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution. It has 10 Contracting Parties: Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden.

Focus Munitions in the Sea

For over three decades, HELCOM has been addressing the issue of munitions in the sea, among other things through the establishment of dedicated expert groups. Following intensive media coverage at the beginning of the 1990s on the occurrence of dumped chemical munitions in unknown locations within the Helsinki Convention area, the 14th meeting of the Helsinki Commission in 1993 decided to set up the ad hoc Working Group on Dumped Chemical Munitions (HELCOM CHEMU). Its task was to elaborate a report on the dumping locations and effects of chemical weapons in the marine environment.

At its 2010 Ministerial Meeting, the Helsinki Commission decided to establish an ad hoc HELCOM Expert Group to update and review the existing information on dumped chemical munitions in the Baltic Sea (HELCOM MUNI). The HELCOM MUNI report on Chemical Munitions Dumped in the Baltic Sea was submitted to the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in Copenhagen as background information.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) of the HELCOM Expert Group on Hazardous Submerged Objects (HELCOM EG Submerged) were agreed upon by the HELCOM Heads of Delegation meeting HELCOM HOD 43-2013. HELCOM EG Submerged compiles and assess information about all kinds of hazardous objects and assess the associated risks. The compilation and assessment were used to produce a thematic assessment report on challenges related to warfare materials in the Baltic Sea. In 2022 the Group’s TOR were updated and its mandate extended through 2026.

The need to address the issue of submerged munitions is also reflected in HELCOM’s 2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), which contains two actions directly related to hazardous submerged objects.

HELCOM also contributes to fostering dialogue and shaping regional policies by cooperating with other regional players such as the European Union, for instance through participation in the “Our Baltic” process, and the Council of the Baltic States (CBSS). HELCOM, moreover, actively participates in international projects such as MUNIMAP, MUNI-RISK and MMineSwEEPER. Through this role, the organization helps raise awareness, acts as a science-policy interface and ensures that scientific findings are effectively communicated to decision-makers across and beyond the Baltic Sea Region.

CBSS

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) is an intergovernmental political forum promoting cooperation and stability in the Baltic Sea Region. Established in 1992 by Baltic Sea Foreign Ministers after the Cold War, it comprises 11 members: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the EU.

Focus Munitions in the Sea

CBSS began actively coordinating regional dialogue on sea-dumped munitions during the German Presidency of the CBSS (2022–2023), notably through the Kiel Roundtable on Dumped Munitions in the Baltic Sea. This event laid important groundwork for the growing cooperation and practical action seen today, reinforcing the CBSS’s strategic role in facilitating high-level political dialogue on this critical issue—alongside key partners such as the European Commission and HELCOM.

The Declaration of the 20th CBSS Ministerial Session, held in Wismar, Germany, on 2 June 2023, explicitly acknowledged “the environmental, human safety, security and economic risks emanating from the thousands of tons of conventional and chemical munitions dumped in the Baltic Sea. In addition, they can pose a risk to marine life, fishing and navigation, impede the installation of offshore energy infrastructure, and may negatively impact on aquaculture, tourism and other sectors of the blue economy.”

Beyond fostering political dialogue, the CBSS Secretariat actively participates in international projects such as MUNI-RISK and MUNIMAP as a communication and political dialogue partner. Through this role, the Secretariat helps raise awareness and ensures that scientific findings are effectively communicated to decision-makers across the Baltic Sea Region. Issue of submerged munitions is regularly raised at the Committee of Senior Officials meetings, Civil Protection Network and EUSBSR PA Secure members are also informed about the progress in the projects and other related developments.

Additionally, CBSS Director General has taken part in various expert panels and conferences and contributed to reports and publications, further underlining the organisation’s commitment to maintaining momentum and ensuring that the issue of sea-dumped munitions remains firmly on the regional and international agenda.

Black Sea

Black Sea Commission

The Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (or Black Sea Commission) is the regional governing body created to implement the Bucharest Convention signed by the six Black Sea coastal countries in 1992 (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkiye and Ukraine). On 31st October 1996, the Black Sea countries also signed the first Black Sea Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea, later on amended in Sofia in 2009. This plan defines the policy measures, actions, and activities required to achieve the environmental objectives of the Bucharest Convention. The Black Sea Strategic Action Plan recognises that collective action is required from all Black Sea countries to reduce the impact of pollution on the sea’s ecosystems.

The areas of work of the Black Sea Commission are, inter alia, to monitor and assess pollution, control pollution from land-based sources, ensure conservation of biological diversity, address environmental safety aspects of shipping, address environmental aspects of management of fisheries and other marine living resources and promote integrated coastal zone management and maritime policy.

Focus Munitions in the Sea

Considering that the topic of munitions in the sea becomes burning on the Black Sea agenda and can eventually pose a risk to marine life, fishing and navigation, aquaculture, tourism and other sectors of the blue economy, the BSC Permanent Secretariat is willing to initiate the discussion and contribute to remediating and assessment of submerged marine munitions in the Black Sea by participating in international projects such as MUNI-RISK and MMinE-SwEEPER as a communication and political dialogue partner. Through this role, the Secretariat will assist in awareness raising and effective communication on the regional level.