Progress report for
Addressing pollution from conventional, chemical and explosive munitions dumped at sea
Achievement at a glance
The European Union employs several funding instruments to address unexploded ordnance (UXO), particularly in maritime environments. The European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), supports sustainable maritime activities, including UXO cleanup. For example, the Munirisk Project (2024) will receive EUR 2 million to close knowledge gaps on UXO in the Baltic Sea. Similarly, Interreg (the European Regional Development Fund) fosters cross-border cooperation with initiatives like Munimap (2024), prioritising contaminated Baltic areas, and REMARCO, which focuses on remediation in the North Sea.Horizon Europe, the EU’s primary research program, funds innovative projects such as MMinE-SwEEPER, advancing UXO detection and removal technologies. These projects complement one another, creating synergies for systematic UXO management, risk assessment, and resource allocation. This work aligns with the revised EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS), which outlines a cohesive approach to maritime threats, emphasising UXO mapping across EU sea basins, developing eco-friendly removal technologies, and fostering civilian-industrial collaboration.
At the ‘Our Baltic 2.0’ Conference (2023), Baltic Sea ministers committed to strengthening cooperation with regional bodies (HELCOM, CBSS), addressing legal and knowledge gaps, advancing removal technologies, prioritising high-risk areas, and reviewing progress by 2027.
These collective efforts aim to mitigate UXO risks, enhance maritime security, and protect human and environmental safety across EU waters.
A new project, funded with EUR 5.6 million from EU funds, will test advanced UXO removal technologies starting in Spring 2025 for 36 months.
Challenges faced in implementation
The most significant challenges are currently in the Black Sea, where Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. This conflict impacts the entire Black Sea basin, with ongoing mining activities posing severe risks to the marine ecosystem, human safety, economic development, and tourism. While the war persists, neither the EU nor its Member States can initiate activities aimed at the comprehensive eradication of UXO in the Black Sea.Next Steps
Benedicte CaremierBeneficiaries
The biggest beneficiaries of the EU's efforts and funded projects to tackle unexploded ordnance (UXO) include: coastal communities and local populations; marine ecosystems and environment; offshore wind energy and renewable sector; EU Member States; research and innovation community; private sector and maritime industries.