For over 70 years dumped munitions have been corroding off many coasts of Europe and the world. Through international projects and by collecting their own data research institutes want to provide clarity about the extent of the problem to be able to propose steps for mitigation. Getting a shared perspective on the current research environment, on the different projects that aim to identify where the munitions are located and what the consequences of leaking toxins are, is crucial for finding a solution to the problem.

Decades after the Second World War unexploded ordnances and mass dumped munitions are still lying rusting away in the oceans. In sea water munitions, including chemical weapons, break open over time and release their toxic content into the environment. Research shows that fish and shellfish in the direct surroundings of the munitions ingest these toxic substances, such as TNT, and thus they can enter the food chain. It is therefore crucial to figure out the impact(s) of dumped munitions on the environment, food security and coastal communities.

An international effort in large-scale clearing is necessary to protect the marine environment and communities that depend on the sea from the dangers of legacy munitions. The need for remediation raises the question of responsibility. This issue is not easily resolved, and the views taken on the obligations stemming from dumped munitions and the status of scuttered naval vessels varies from stakeholder to stakeholder. To resolve and avoid disputes between costal states, reliable and recognized legal expertise is critical to balance the emotional aspects and moral considerations connected to the protection of the marine environment and human security.

Some dumping grounds are well known. Others are not. How do we find dumped munitions in the seas and oceans? For detection and identification of dumped munitions and UXOs, many different technologies are being used. Sonar data, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles help experts to detect and identify objects to be able to begin their disposal. What are the various technologies and their potential applications? How is artificial intelligence be used in this field?

In addition to sea mines dumped munitions are repeatedly identified while surveying the sea floor in context of offshore construction work. The neutralisation of munitions is very complex and can be dangerous. Specialized companies and the military always try to recover the munitions. Sometimes however, controlled detonation is the only way. Fortunately, there are various techniques available today to reduce the impact on wildlife like deflagration or bubble curtains. What are the latest innovations that could be used to master large-scale clearance?

Dumped munitions and unexploded ordonnances (UXOs) pose a significant threat to the maritime ecosystems and coastal communities. Reality shows that they also hinder the development of maritime infrastructures such as wind turbines, port and lock facilities, tunnels, pipelines, and cable projects already today. Clearing our seas will require large investments, so let’s take a look at the potential economic upside from large-scale clearing.

Different stakeholders are needed to address the pressing problem of dumped munitions in our oceans, a fact that has been recently reiterated by the European Parliament & Council. If we are serious about tackling this problem each stakeholder needs to ask themselves what support they can lend to advance large-scale clearing. That is at the local, state, national and supra-national level. Since our oceans know no boundaries, the importance of international cooperation and thereby international organisations in addressing this issue is obvious.

Today, no one disputes that oceans free from dumped munitions and UXOs would be a desirable state which could have far reaching benefits including economically. However, detection and disposal operations, even if automated and improved do incur a considerable cost. Undeterred from this the Baltic Sea Parliamentarian Conference made some valuable recommendation how funding could be organized to begin this process in the Baltic Sea. Also, in the most recent developments the European Union as well as the German government seem to be taking up this idea and are pushing for a solution to the problem. This will be our starting point to enquire how large-scale clearance operations could be sustainably funded in the future.