Knowledge Portal Munitions in the Sea
Knowledge Portal Munitions in the Sea

Projects and Initiatives

Ongoing research projects are working to address the challenges posed by munitions in the sea. From detection and risk assessment to remediation and policy development, these initiatives contribute to understanding and mitigating the impacts of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO) in the marine environment.

Many of these efforts in Europe receive funding from the European Union, but also from national governments and international collaborations. Together, they form the backbone of the Munitions in the Sea Community.

The list below is updated regularly. Suggestions for projects to add can be forwarded to munitions@jpi-oceans.eu.

bar chart: focus overview of EU funded and national munition projects
© JPI Oceans
Focus overview of EU funded and national munition projects

Ongoing projects

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  • MMinE-SwEEPER

    Marine Munition in Europe - Solutions with Economic and Ecological Profits for Efficient Remediation 

    • Funding: Horizon Europe 
    • Duration: 10/2024 - 03/2028 

    The MMinE-SwEEPER project aims to enhance Europe’s capacity for non-military UXO clearance. It focuses on advancing technologies such as automated detection, environmental monitoring, burial and corrosion predictions, and secure data exchange. Additional efforts include compiling knowledge, addressing legal frameworks, developing training, and stakeholder outreach. Outcomes include AI-supported detection, identification, and Smart-AUV/USV integration, with technologies reaching a stage where they are tested in real-world conditions and ready for further development toward commercial use. 

    https://mminesweeper-munition.eu/

    Project Coordinator

    Prof. Dr. Jens Greinert, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

    Partners

    • Aarhus University (DK)
    • Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission (FI)
    • Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons, Maritime Technology and Research (DE)
    • Cranfield University (UK)
    • Explosive Ordnance Disposl Service Schleswig-Holstein (DE)
    • Federal Police Germany (DE)
    • Flanders Marine Institute (BE)
    • Fraunhofer ICT (DE)
    • Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy (PL)
    • IQUA Robotics (ES)
    • JPI Oceans (BE)
    • National Research Council of Italy (IT)
    • Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (FR)
    • North.io (DE)
    • Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (NO)
    • Royal Military Academy Belgium (BE)
    • SeaTerra (DE)
    • The Border Guard Academy in Koszalin (PL)
    • University of Tromso - The Arctic University (NO)

    Contact

    mmine-sweeper@geomar.eu

  • CAMMera

    Clearance Activities for Marine Munition through Efficient Remediation Approaches

    • Funding: Pilot Project and Preparatory Actions Fund 
    • Duration: 07/2025 - 06/2028 

    CAMMera targets the final stage in the process of dealing with marine munitions: Based on previous research into detection and environmental monitoring, the project is developing industrial-scale solutions such as automated recovery of fragile objects, remote-controlled transport systems, automated disassemble technologies and security measures for the working area. It also addresses legal aspects and looks into a business model for European clearance activities, by ensuring knowledge and best practice are transferred to stakeholders covering all European seas, including the Black Sea.

    https://cammera-munition.eu/

    Project Coordinator

    Prof. Dr. Jens Greinert, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

    Partners

    • GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (DE)
    • Altamira Softworks (SK)
    • COALAS Systems (UA)
    • Dynasafe Demil Systems (SE)
    • Fugro (NL)
    • JPI Oceans (BE)
    • New Strategy Center (RO)
    • SeaTerra (DE)
    • GEKA (DE)

    Contact

    cammera@geomar.de

  • MUNI-RISK

    Mitigation of Risks due to submerged munitions for a sustainable development of the Baltic Sea 

    • Funding: EMFAF
    • Duration: 11/2024 - 10/2027 

    MUNI-RISK is an EU-funded project focused on tackling the risks from old munitions lying on the seabed in the Baltic Sea. These munitions, remnants of past conflicts such as the Second World War, pose environmental and safety risks that need to be carefully managed. MUNI-RISK brings together scientists and practitioners to find solutions that support safe maritime activities, such as fishing, and responsible marine resource development, including building offshore wind farms. By the end of the MUNI-RISK project, countries around the Baltic Sea will have practical tools and guidelines to safely manage munitions risks. 

    https://muni-risk.eu/

    Project Coordinator

    Senior Scientist Hans Sanderson, Aarhus University 

    Partners

    • Council of the Baltic Sea States (SE)
    • GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research Kiel (DE)
    • Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences (PL)
    • Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission (FI)
    • Regional Municipality of Bornholm (DK)

    Contact

    Hans Sanderson: hasa@envs.au.dk

     

     

     

     

  • MUNIMAP

    Baltic Sea Munitions Remediation Roadmap 

    • Funding: Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021 - 2027 
    • Duration: 03/2024 - 02/2027 

    MUNIMAP will accelerate and coordinate national munition management programmes by developing a modular roadmap for Baltic Sea munitions remediation. This includes policy recommendations, IT tools for site prioritisation, monitoring strategies, and innovative, cost-effective, eco-friendly remediation methods, all designed with user groups.

    Pilot activities will cover key remediation stages: detection, risk assessment, prioritisation, remediation, monitoring, and result evaluation. The project supports national authorities and agencies facing legal, financial, and practical challenges in managing sea-dumped munitions while ensuring safety and environmental protection.

    https://interreg-baltic.eu/project/munimap/

    Project Coordinator

    Prof. Jacek Bełdowski, Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences

    Partners

    • Aarhus University (DK)
    • Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholfz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (DE)
    • Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission (FI)
    • Council of the Baltic Sea States (SE)
    • German Environment Agency (DE)
    • International Centre for Chemical Safety and Security (PL)
    • K.U.M. Environmental- and Marine Technology (DE)
    • Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LV)
    • Lithuanian Environmental Protection Agency (LT)
    • Maritime Office Gdynia (PL)
    • Military University of Technology (PL)
    • North.io (DE)
    • Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (NO)
    • Polish Naval Academy (PL)
    • University of Helsinki - Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (FI)
    • University of Tartu (FI)

    Contact

    Jacek Bełdowski (Project Coordinator): hyron@iopan.pl

    Katarzyna Fidler (Project Manager): kf@eu-projects.pl

    Agnieszka Jędruch (Communication Officer): ajedruch@iopan.pl

  • REMARCO

    Remediation, Management, Monitoring and Cooperation addressing North Sea UXO

    • Funding: Interreg North Sea Region Programme 2021-2027
    • Duration: 07/2023 - 06/2027

    After decades in seawater, the munitions from the world wars are in various stages of corrosion. Beyond the dangers of an uncontrolled explosion, water, sediment, and samples of organisms were collected as part of the predecessor project North Sea Wrecks, which revealed traces of toxic munitions compounds in subsequent laboratory analyses. These substances are suspected of causing health problems in exposed mussels and fish and could ultimately reach people’s plates through the food chain.

    With REMARCO, we aim to help reduce pollution in marine ecosystems caused by World War II munitions by developing remediation concepts for munitions hotspots and testing internationally validated (partially) automated monitoring methods. In addition, REMARCO provides software-based risk assessment systems for the relevant authorities in the North Sea Region to prioritise contaminated marine areas. Furthermore, REMARCO supplies information and data relevant to regional organisations (e.g. OSPAR, UNESCO) to support the inclusion of this issue in international monitoring strategies and the assessment of cultural heritage sites such as wrecks.

    www.interregnorthsea.eu/remarco/about-us

    Project Coordinator

    Dr. Matthias Brenner, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholfz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (DE)

    Partners

    • Expload (NL)
    • Flanders Marine Institute (BE)
    • German Maritime Museum (DE)
    • Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BE)
    • University Medical School Schleswig-Holstein, Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology (DE)
    • NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences - Maritime Institute WIllem Barentsz (NL)
    • North.io (DE)
    • Periplus Consultancy (NL)
    • SeaTerra (DE)

    Contact

    Matthias Brenner: matthias.brenner@awi.de

    remarco@awi.de

     

     

     

     

  • BaltWreck

    Preventing massive marine waters chemical pollution from the leaking wrecks and munition/ weapon dumps in the south Baltic

    • Funding: Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021 - 2027
    • Duration: 07/2024 - 06/2027

    The BaltWreck project aims to reduce pollution in the Baltic Sea caused by hazardous substances from military and civilian shipwrecks, such as fuels and munitions. The project focuses on developing diagnostic methods for wrecks, studying remediation technologies for hazardous fuels and munitions, assessing the toxicological risks to marine ecosystems, and creating risk management tools. It includes engaging local municipalities in decision-making through workshops and campaigns, providing recommendations for policy makers, and creating documentation for cultural heritage institutions and virtual wreck tours to enhance tourism.

    https://www.imp.gda.pl/en/projects/interreg-programmes/baltwreck/

    Project Coordinator

    Prof. Adam Cenian, Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery Polish Academy of Sciences

    Partners

    • Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic (PL)
    • Chalmers University of Technology (SE)
    • CLEANERGY (PL)
    • Gdynia Maritime University (PL)
    • GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (DE)
    • German Environment Agency (DE)
    • Jagiellonian University (PL)
    • JT Ship Service Tomasz Jatkowski (PL)
    • Klaipeda University (LT)
    • Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (DE)
    • Nature Research Centre (LT)
    • North.io (DE)
    • University of Gdansk(PL)

    Contact

    Adam Cenian cenian@imp.gda.pl

  • CONMAR II

    Concept for conventional Marine munition Remediation in the German North and Baltic Sea 

    • Funding: sustainMare "Protection and sustainable use of marine areas" funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research Germany
    • Duration: 12/2024 - 11/2027 

    CONMAR, funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research, aims to study the impact of marine munitions in the North and Baltic Seas. It integrates data from various sources to assess distribution, ecological impact, and potential remediation strategies. Through collaboration with stakeholders, CONMAR seeks to inform policy and advance the understanding of this environmental issue. 

    https://conmar-munition.eu/

    Project Coordinator

    Prof. Dr. Jens Greinert, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

    Partners

    • Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (DE)
    • German Environment Agency (DE)
    • Global Climate Forum (DE)
    • Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (DE)
    • Senckenberg am Meer (DE)
    • Thünen Institute (DE)
    • University Medical School Schleswig-Holstein, Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology for Natural Scientists (DE)
    • University of Rostock (DE)

    Contact

    conmar@geomar.de

  • BorDEx

    Development and construction of a mobile demonstrator for the thermal disposal of explosives from coastal dumped munitions 

    • Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany (BMWK) 
    • Duration: 07/2024 - 06/2027 

    The BorDEx project (development and construction of a mobile demonstrator for the thermal disposal of explosives from coastal munitions waste) creates a basis for the disposal of critical munitions waste in coastal areas that has not yet been technically feasible. By building a mobile demonstrator, the disposal of conventional, large-caliber, difficult-to-transport munitions from maritime areas is to be taken one step closer to a standard procedure with different locations. 

    https://bordex.de/

  • SAFE-BS2BKS

    Safe Actions for Environment - Baltic Solutions to the Black Sea 

    • Funding: CBSS Project Support Facility 
    • Duration: 09/2025 - 02/2027 

    The SAFE BS2B project aims to transfer and apply the most effective and environmentally safe Baltic Sea techniques for managing underwater munitions to the Black Sea region. HELCOM will use its macro-regional network to organise stakeholder dialogues and workshops supporting HELCOM BSAP action S34, ensuring broad cross-sectoral and scientific outreach, especially to Ukraine. Activities will promote the use of proven Baltic methods for assessing and mitigating munitions risks and protecting marine ecosystems. A key outcome will be an Action Plan with recommendations for safe and sustainable munitions management in the Black Sea. 

    https://safe-bs2bks.vercel.app/

    Project Coordinator

    Andriy Grafov, Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission (FI)

    Partners

    • Aarhus University (DK)
    • Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LV)
    • Ukrainian Scientific Centre of Ecology of the Sea (UA)
    • Institute of Marine Biology of the National Academy of Sciences (UA)
    • Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences (UA)

    Contact

    andriy.grafov@helcom.fi

  • IRAV2

    Industrial Clearance of Contaminated Sites in Dumping Areas 

    • Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy 
    • Duration: 03/2026 - 02/2029 

    The IRAV2 project develops innovative technologies to enable more efficient and safer clearance of legacy munitions in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Its goal is to create a comprehensive system that significantly improves the detection and classification of submerged ordnance, both on the seabed and buried within sediments.

    By combining advanced sensor technologies (such as high-resolution sonar and seismic methods) with artificial intelligence, the project aims to establish automated analysis processes that complement human expertise and accelerate the evaluation of large data sets. This allows for more precise identification of hazardous remnants and reduces the risk of false alarms.

    The results of IRAV2 contribute to enhancing the safety of maritime infrastructure (e.g., pipelines and offshore wind farms), protecting the environment, and ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources. 

    Project Coordinator

    Franziska Auer, TKMS ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH (DE)

    Partners

    • Fraunhofer IWES (DE)
    • Hochschule Bremen - City University of Applied Sciences (DE)

    Contact

    franziska.auer@tkmsgroup.com

  • WATERSIDE

    Removing ammunition remnants from the sea

    • Funding: German Aerospace Center e.V. (self-funded)
    • Duration: 01/2025 – 12/2027

    The Waterside project uniquely integrates technologies from transport, space, security, and aviation to detect, identify, and remove explosive ordnance in marine environments, with a focus on the North and Baltic Seas. Developed in close cooperation with industry partners, it combines advanced underwater and long-range sensor technologies to generate comprehensive above- and below-water situation awareness. Passive, innovative sensors support munition identification, while teleoperated systems enable safe recovery and handling. Contaminated sites are systematically mapped and documented, supported by a secure service platform for standardized, cryptographically protected information exchange within an integrated system of systems.

    www.dlr.de/en/ki/research-transfer/projects/waterside

    Project Coordinator

    Dennis Höhn, Prof. Dr. Axel Hahn (both German Aerospace Center e.V.)

    Partners

    • German Aerospace Center e.V.

    Contact 

    dennis.hoehn@dlr.de

Concluded project

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  • EROVMUS

    Enhanced Remote Operated Vehicle interface for Munition Studies 

    • Funding: MarTERA ERA-NET COFUND 
    • Duration: 07/2022 - 06/2025 

    Project EROVMUS aims to enhance Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) interfaces for more efficient and cost-effective operations in underwater munition missions. It will develop a multi-sensory platform and improved software, focusing on navigation, autonomous identification, and image enhancement. A heads-up display will integrate sensor data, reducing screen clutter, while virtual reality solutions will enable large virtual displays. The project will test and optimise tools for compatibility with various ROVs, fostering innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in the European underwater technology sector.

    https://www.era-learn.eu/network-information/networks/martera/martera-call-2021/enhanced-remote-operated-vehicle-interface-for-munition-studies

    Project Coordinator

    Prof. Jacek Bełdowski, Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences 

    Partners

    • DotOcean (BE)
    • Flanders Marine Institute (BE)
    • National Insitute for Reserch and Development on Marine Geology and Geo-ecology (RO)
    • Ocean Tech Poland (PL)
    • Port Oostende (BE)
    • Q.VITEC (DE)
    • Technical University of Clausthal, Research Center for Environmental Technologies (DE)

    Contact

    Jacek Bełdowski (Project Coordinator): hyron@iopan.pl

    Agnieszka Jędruch (Communication Officer): ajedruch@iopan.pl

  • IRAV

    Industrial clearance of hazardous waste from dumping sites at sea

    • Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany
    • Duration: 06/2023 - 11/2025

    The IRAV project address challenges like sedimented ordnance. The project develops technological and experimental solutions to overcome these hurdles.  Demonstrators are created to validate the feasibility, applicability, and cost-effectiveness of the individual technologies. IRAV leverages its own technical infrastructure, including mission ships, mobile autonomous platforms, data acquisition and processing systems, and a comprehensive suite of distributed sensors and sub-systems.  The project also incorporates findings from other research projects to close remaining gaps. System designs will prioritize compatibility with relevant interfaces of other systems.

    https://www.iwes.fraunhofer.de/en/research-projects/current-projects/irav.html

    Project Coordinator

    Franziska Auer, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH

    Partners

    • ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH (DE)
    • Fraunhofer IWES (DE)
    • Stascheit Kampfmittelräumung (DE)
    • thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH (DE)
    • ATLAS MARIDAN ApS (DK/DE) [Commissioned Partner]

    Contact

    Franziska Auer Franziska.Auer@atlas-elektronik.com