Kiel Munition Clearance Week

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Securing the Depths: Protecting Munition Dump Sites and Clearance Areas 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.

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.