European Research and Innovation Addressing Underwater Munition

Massive amounts of munitions rest on the seafloor across European seas and ocean regions, comprising war remnants such as dumped conventional and chemical weapons, unexploded ordnance, and armed military shipwrecks. Over the past decade, this issue has gained increasing attention in Europe. Recognising the growing risks posed by underwater munitions to environmental health, maritime safety, and economic development, JPI Oceans initiated a Joint Action to foster transnational collaboration and strategic responses. This effort led to the establishment of a European Knowledge Hub expert group with participation from 13 European countries. The group’s primary achievement has been the creation of an online portal, hosted by Fraunhofer ICT, to provide expert-vetted knowledge and information on underwater munitions, including their detection, assessment, and remediation. The portal was formally launched during the European Maritime Day in 2024, in the presence of the European Commission.