18 – 20 June 2025 | Kiel
The international forum
for tackling the challenges of
offshore munition clearance & critical infrastructure protection
Kiel Munition Clearance Week 2025

In 2021, we set the foundation – now we’re shaping the future!

Join leading experts, innovators, and decision-makers in Kiel to drive global progress in munitions clearance at sea, foster collaboration, and showcase the latest breakthroughs in technology and strategy.

Be part of the discussions shaping the next era of marine safety, sustainability, protection of critical infrastructure, and innovation.

Our Mission

Munitions in the sea pose a critical global challenge, threatening ecosystems, human safety, and maritime infrastructure. While KMCW21 raised awareness of this pressing issue, KMCW25 is dedicated to driving solutions.

Off Germany’s coasts alone, an estimated 1.6 million tons of conventional and chemical munitions lie rusting, endangering marine ecosystems and communities. Globally, only a fraction of contaminated sites has been mapped, underscoring the need for transnational and interdisciplinary collaboration.
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KMCW25 brings together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to transform knowledge into action. By showcasing cutting-edge technologies, advancing scalable solutions, and fostering international cooperation, the conference focuses on safeguarding oceans and communities.

This year, our message is clear: it’s time to act. Join us at KMCW25 in Kiel to help build a sustainable, safer future for our oceans and turn awareness into impactful solutions for generations to come.
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 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
1
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]
2
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
3
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]
4
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
5
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]
6
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
Securing the Depths: Protecting Munition Dump Sites, Clearance Areas and Critical Infrastructure from Unauthorized Access
7
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]
8
Standards and Synergies: Creating Legal and Operational Frameworks for Global Collaboration
The protection of offshore infrastructure requires consistent legal standards and cooperative frameworks to succeed. Building on recent developments pertaining to offshore safety and resilience, this session will examine existing gaps in regulation and explore how new thinking and lessons learned could inform harmonised policies. Panelists will highlight opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to foster efficient and compliant protection measures.
[Day 3: June 20, 2025]
Standards and Synergies: Creating Legal and Operational Frameworks for Global Collaboration
Complementary Program
Stakeholder Workshop on Marine Munition Clearance
Stakeholder Workshop on Marine Munition Clearance
Alongside the main 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
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]
Public Side Event: Communicating the Legacy of Explosives – Public Awareness and Dialogue
Speakers
Alexander Bach
Head of Division Water Risk Management at Ministry for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature
Markus Beer
Chief Sales Officer for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle at EUROATLAS GmbH
Prof. James Henry Bergeron
Chief Political Advisor at NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM)
Prof. Jacek Bełdowski
Head of Laboratory at Institute of Oceanology PAS
Dr. Philipp Dau
Account Executive at north.io GmbH
Arne Døssing Andreasen
CEO and Co-Founder at UMag Solutions
Christos Economou
Deputy Director at DG Mare
Dr. Dorthe Erbs-Hansen
Project Lead at Ceridwen on behalf of TenneT
Ferdinand Gehringer
Policy Advisor Internal Security and Cybersecurity at Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Tobias Goldschmidt
Minister at Ministry of Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature.
Prof. Dr. Jens Greinert
Head of DeepSea Monitoring Group at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre For Ocean Research Kiel
Dieter Guldin
COO at SeaTerra GmbH
Daniel Günther
Minister-President at Land Schleswig-Holstein
Dr. Thorsten Kiefer
Executive Director at Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans)
Manfred Krüger
Technical Manager (High-Speed Dynamics) at IABG mbH on behalf of TenneT
Dr. Anita Künitzer
Senior Scientific Advisor at German Environment Agency
Terry Martin
Journalist and TV News Anchor
Prof. Dr. Edmund Maser
Research Director at Institute of Toxicology, University Medical School (UKSH) Kiel
Jan Matthiesen
Head of Sales NXTGEN at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH
Dr. Peter Menzel
CEO at Corvus Works GmbH
Commander (OF-4) Andreas Montag
Head of Maritime Unmanned Systems at DEU Navy / 3rd (DEU) Minesweeping Squadron
Peter Nieuwveld
Solution Owner UXO Risk Mitigation at Fugro N.V.
Patrick O‘Keeffe
Staff Officer Space Operations at NATO COE CSW
Axel Rasch
Head of Product Management NXTGEN at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH
Dr. Michael D. Richardson
Technical Advisor for SERDP/ESTCP Munitions Response Program at Institute for Defense Analyses
Kęstutis Sadauskas
Deputy Director-General at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE)
Dr. Hans Sanderson
Senior Researcher at Department of Environmental Science- Environmental chemistry and technology of Aarhus University
Jürgen Scraback
Head of Unit Maritime Domain at European Defence Agency (EDA)
Thierry Segers
Programme Manager - Defence development programme at European Commission
Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Sichermann
CEO at Seascape GmbH
Sascha Stoltenow
Partner at Script Communications
Lisa Thormann
CEO of Operating Unit NXTGEN at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH
Stylianos Tzimis
Maritime Hybrid Threat Senior Analyst at Hybrid CoE
Dr. Alix Valenti
Freelancer at Valenti Communications & Consulting
Dr. Moritz von Rochow
Research and Teaching Assistent at Walther-Schücking-Institut for International Law, Kiel University
Dr. Paul Walker
Environmental Security and Sustainability Program Director at Green Cross International
Jann Wendt
CEO at north.io GmbH
Carl Philipp Wrede
Deputy Director at DLR Institute for the Protection of Maritime Infrastructures
Exhibition

Showcase Your Innovations at KMCW25!

In addition to the dynamic conference program, this year’s KMCW25 will feature an exclusive Exhibition - a prime opportunity for corporate partners to present their innovative solutions. Whether it’s robotics, unmanned systems, or advanced clearance tools, this platform is designed to elevate your visibility and showcase your cutting-edge technologies. Perfectly integrated with the main conference, both will be held in the modern and elegant spaces of the Wunderino Arena in Kiel.

Covering an area, with both indoor and outdoor areas, it will provide a modern and versatile setting accessible to all conference delegates - an ideal environment to engage a highly relevant audience.

We carefully consider all exhibition requests on an individual basis to ensure a balanced, relevant, and engaging exhibition. If you are interested in showcasing your organisation at KMCW25, we invite you to express your interest by completing this exhibitor inquiry.

For any questions, please feel free to contact us at communications@munitionclearanceweek.org.
Why Attend
KMCW25 is the leading global event focused on tackling the urgent challenge of munitions clearance at sea. Building on the success of 2021, KMCW25 brings together leading experts, industry innovators, and influential decision-makers to highlight progress, explore cutting-edge technologies, and shape the future of this essential field.

Over three days, the program offers dynamic panel discussions and inspiring keynotes, addressing pressing issues and delivering actionable solutions. Attendees gain exclusive insights from top researchers and industry leaders, while learning how Germany’s pioneering munitions clearance program sets a global benchmark for success.

Experience technology showcases and explore the latest advancements through an exhibition, where cutting-edge innovations in robotics, unmanned systems, and advanced clearance tools will be presented. Discover how these technologies are revolutionising munitions clearance and strengthening critical maritime infrastructure like offshore wind farms and shipping routes. Their significant dual-use potential paves the way for a safer, more sustainable future for our oceans.

Use this unique opportunity to network with global leaders from industry, research, and government. Build partnerships, exchange groundbreaking ideas, and influence the policies shaping the future of munitions clearance.

Be part of the global movement redefining marine safety, sustainability, and innovation. Join KMCW25 and contribute to real-world solutions for a safer, more sustainable ocean.  

Hear from the Patron and leading organisers on why KMCW25 is an event not to be missed:
News
Registration

Secure your ticket to KMCW25 and enjoy the following benefits over the entire three-day event:
  • Access to Knowledge: Enjoy full access to all conference sessions, captivating keynote speeches, and cutting-edge technology showcases.
  • Speaker Insights: Receive a collection of speaker presentations to revisit key insights and ideas.
  • Explore Innovation: Dive into the technology exhibition, featuring the latest industrial solutions.
  • Build Connections: Take advantage of valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders, innovators, and peers throughout the event.
  • Stay Energised: Savor complimentary refreshments and lunches, provided on all three conference days.


pricing
Curious about what awaits you? Experience the atmosphere of KMCW21 and see for yourself here.
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