Kiel Munition Clearance Week

Conference

The KMCW25 conference focuses on tackling the pressing challenges of historic ordnance disposal and critical infrastructure protection. Through powerful keynotes, cutting-edge technology showcases, and nine dynamic main sessions with diverse focus areas, the event provides a platform for innovation and collaboration. Complementing the core programme, KMCW25 also offers a specialised research workshop and a public side event, fostering broader engagement and dialogue beyond the expert community.

Scaling Up: Lessons from Germany's Pilot Programme for Global Munitions Clearance

Germany’s groundbreaking pilot programme in the Baltic Sea provides a unique blueprint for addressing munitions in marine environments. This panel will discuss the programme's outcomes, key challenges, and transferable lessons for global application. Experts will evaluate how to translate these experiences into broader international initiatives.

[Day 1: June 18, 2025]

Balancing the Scales: Achieving Environmental and Economic Sustainability in Munitions Clearance

Clearing munitions from the seabed must balance ecological preservation with economic feasibility. This session will examine strategies to minimise environmental harm during operations and assess effective monitoring systems. Panelists will discuss case studies and innovations that achieve sustainability without compromising efficiency.

[Day 1: June 18, 2025]

Balancing the Scales: Achieving Environmental and Economic Sustainability in Munitions Clearance

The Industrialisation of the Ocean: UXO Clearance in the Age of Offshore Expansion

The rapid expansion of offshore wind farms and infrastructure projects has made UXO clearance an urgent priority. This panel will address the unique challenges of clearing munitions in industrial zones and the role of new technologies. Stakeholders will discuss how to align clearance efforts with the accelerating pace of ocean industrialization.

[Day 1: June 18, 2025]

Innovations in Munitions Clearance: Transforming the Value Chain with Advanced Technologies

From detection to disposal, emerging technologies are reshaping the munitions clearance process. This panel will showcase cutting-edge innovations available today in robotics, and remediation tools. Industry leaders will discuss how these advancements can enhance efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness across the value chain.

[Day 2: June 19, 2025]

Innovations in Munitions Clearance: Transforming the Value Chain with Advanced Technologies

Data Revolution: Managing and Utilising Large-Scale Ocean Floor Survey Data

The increasing scale of munitions clearance is producing vast amounts of survey data. This panel will explore solutions for effective data gathering, warehousing, analysis, and integration into operational planning. Experts will discuss how artificial intelligence and machine learning can improve anomaly detection and decision-making.

[Day 2: June 19, 2025]

Unmanned Systems and Advanced Autonomous Technologies: The Future of UXO Detection and Clearance

The future of munitions clearance lies in autonomous solutions capable of efficiently covering vast areas at unprecedented speeds. This discussion will explore the integration of unmanned systems, their operational challenges, and the potential of interconnected technologies that enhance precision and coordination. Beyond munitions clearance, these systems are poised to play a critical role in the safety and security of offshore infrastructure, addressing emerging threats and ensuring resilience. Panelists will highlight current breakthroughs and predict how these systems will evolve across various applications.

[Day 2: June 19, 2025]

Unmanned Systems and Advanced Autonomous Technologies: The Future of UXO Detection and Clearance

Tackling challenges together: Developing regional financing solutions for common goals

Marine environmental protection, preparing the seas for offshore wind and UXO removal are long-term tasks that society must face up to. Participants will discuss ways to achieve joint financing of munitions removal. In order to realise an environmentally sound removal in the long term, disposal capacities must be increased. The panel participants will discuss what possibilities there may be for regional cooperation and how new technologies can be integrated.

[Day 2: June 19, 2025]

Securing the Depths: Protecting Munition Dump Sites, Clearance Areas and Critical Infrastructure from Unauthorized Access

As clearance operations progress, the challenge of safeguarding known munitions dump sites, clearance areas in shallow waters and maritime infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. This panel will address the risks posed by unauthorized access, including tampering, manipulation, theft of historical ordnance, or mishandling by divers. Experts will explore the technical solutions and policy measures being developed to prevent unauthorized entry, mitigate safety risks, and counter potential nefarious uses of recovered materials such as TNT. Panelists will discuss the intersection of security, technology, and international collaboration to protect these sensitive sites effectively.

[Day 3: June 20, 2025]

Securing the Depths: Protecting Munition Dump Sites, Clearance Areas and Critical Infrastructure from Unauthorized Access

Standards and Synergies: Creating Legal and Operational Frameworks for Global Collaboration

Global munitions clearance requires consistent legal standards and cooperative frameworks to succeed. Building on recent developments, such as Germany's pilot clearance programme, this session will examine existing gaps in regulations and explore how new thinking and lessons learned could inform harmonized policies. Panelists will highlight opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to foster efficient and compliant remediation.

[Day 3: June 20, 2025]

Complementary Program

Stakeholder Workshop on Marine Munition Clearance

Alongside the nine panel sessions, our scientific partners — led by GEOMAR — will host a dedicated Stakeholder Dialogue Workshop. Experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers will exchange insights on risk assessment, regulations, and environmental concerns in munition clearance. Open to all conference participants, the workshop offers a chance to engage with ongoing research and shape future strategies. Help identify key topics to be discussed during the workshop by completing this questionnaire:

Click here to fill out the questionnaire

Stakeholder Workshop on Marine Munition Clearance

Public Side Event: Communicating the Legacy of Explosives – Public Awareness and Dialogue

We invite the public to join the discussion on underwater munitions. On June 19, 2025, from 19:00 to 21:00 at Wunderino Arena, Europaplatz 1 in Kiel, this side event will explore how the risks and opportunities of legacy munitions are communicated to society, policymakers, and the media. Experts will discuss strategies to raise public awareness, foster engagement, ensure transparency in clearance efforts, and highlight the economic potential of UXO clearance — moving beyond fear-based narratives. The side event will be held in German. Further details on the event programme and registration will follow soon.

[June 19, 2025, 19:00 to 21:00]