The Baltic Sea, a vital waterway for Europe, is a ticking time bomb, quite literally. Decades of war have left behind a grim legacy of submerged munitions, and now, the race is on to map, assess, and mitigate these underwater hazards. Three major projects—CONMAR, MUNI-RISK, and MMinE-SwEEPER—are at the forefront of this effort, with GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel playing a pivotal role.
The research vessel Alkor has just set sail on its first mission, a multi-faceted expedition that’s as much about international cooperation as it is about cutting-edge science. The ship, equipped with two autonomous underwater vehicles and a small remotely operated vehicle, is headed to key areas in German and Danish waters. The focus? The sea areas at the exit of the Flensburg Fjord/Lille Belt, west of Bornholm, and the Bay of Lübeck. These aren’t just random spots; they’re hotspots for potential munitions contamination.
The expedition, dubbed AL628, is a data-gathering powerhouse. It’s collecting intel for all three major projects. CONMAR is zeroing in on German waters, MUNI-RISK is taking a Baltic Sea-wide view, and MMinE-SwEEPER is a pan-European effort involving nine countries. The goals are clear: assess the extent of munitions contamination, improve autonomous mapping and analysis methods, and foster international cooperation.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The MUNI-RISK project, led by the University of Aarhus, isn’t just about gathering data. It’s about turning that data into actionable guidelines. As the project’s name suggests, it’s all about mitigating risks. And with an estimated 40,000 tonnes of chemical munitions and over one million tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO) lurking in the Baltic, that’s no small task.
The Alkor’s next stop is the Bay of Lübeck, where researchers from the Polish institute IOPAN and the German Federal Police will join the expedition. They’re headed to a munitions dumping site, a grim reminder of the past. But the real test comes later, off the coast of Boltenhagen. A barge loaded with conventional munitions was sunk there after World War II, and it’s still sitting on the seabed. In June and July, an explosive ordnance disposal company from Rostock will clear the contents, a stark reminder of the very real dangers these munitions pose.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. This expedition is a testament to what can be achieved when countries come together. It’s a glimpse into the future of maritime research, where technology and international cooperation go hand in hand. And it’s a call to action, a reminder that the Baltic Sea’s past doesn’t have to dictate its future.
So, what’s next? The next expedition is planned for October 2025, with a focus on chemical munitions in Polish waters. But the real question is, how will this news shape the future of the maritime sector? Will we see more international cooperation? More investment in autonomous underwater vehicles? A renewed focus on maritime safety and environmental protection? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: the Baltic Sea is calling, and the maritime world is listening.
