Context

Munitions in the sea therefore include several different types of contamination as listed by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (here). These can include:

• Sea mines, often originating from historical minefields in coastal waters and shipping routes
• Torpedoes, many of which were fired during naval warfare but never detonated
• Aerial munitions, such as bombs and depth charges dropped during combat operations
• Munitions fired or launched into the sea, including artillery shells and other ordnance from land, naval or aerial platforms
• Dumped munitions, including conventional and chemical munitions deliberately disposed of after wars
• Shipwrecks containing explosive ordnance, where vessels sank or were scuttled with ammunition still on board

These different categories are important because they shape both the risks involved and the possible response options. Sea mines and torpedoes, for example, were specifically designed for underwater use and often contain large explosive charges. Dumped munitions and ammunition in shipwrecks may in some cases present a lower immediate explosive risk, but can still create major environmental hazards through corrosion, leakage and the concentration of large quantities of ordnance in one location. 

At the same time, munitions in the sea are not only a legacy issue of the past, but also a contemporary and evolving challenge. While a large proportion originates from historical conflicts, new contamination continues to occur in certain regions as a result of ongoing military activities and conflicts, most notably in the Black Sea. This highlights that the issue remains dynamic and evolving.

In addition, the characteristics of munitions in the sea differ significantly between marine regions. In some areas, such as parts of the Baltic Sea, munitions are found in relatively shallow and nearshore waters, often in close proximity to human activities. In other regions, including parts of the North-East Atlantic or deeper basins, munitions may be located at considerable depths or concentrated in specific dumping sites. The types of munitions present, their condition, and the surrounding environmental conditions also vary widely.

These regional differences have important implications for risk assessment, monitoring and management approaches, and underline the need for context-specific solutions.

When addressing munitions in the sea, it is also essential to distinguish between different approaches to managing the problem. In particular, the terms clearance and remediation are often used, but refer to different concepts and objectives.