Innovative Robots Tackle Underwater Ordnance Recovery in the Baltic Sea

Mon 3rd Feb, 2025

In the serene Bay of Lübeck, near Germany's northern coastline, specialized teams are deploying advanced underwater robots to recover military explosives that have lain dormant on the seabed for nearly eight decades. This groundbreaking initiative targets remnants of World War II, including naval mines, torpedoes, artillery shells, and aerial bombs, which were intentionally disposed of in this area.

Throughout September and October 2024, remotely operated vehicles equipped with cameras, sensors, and bright lights scoured the ocean floor for these hazardous materials. Experts monitored the operations from a floating platform, identifying and assessing each piece of ordnance before it was carefully extracted using electromagnets or grabber arms, and then sealed in secure containers for storage.

After the war, Allied forces ordered a vast quantity of munitions, estimated in the millions, to be dumped at sea to prevent rearmament. Fishermen were paid to dispose of these weapons, often in designated areas, but many were discarded haphazardly throughout the bay. Germany's Environment Minister noted the staggering scale of this issue, emphasizing the urgent need for cleanup.

This clearance operation marks a pioneering project aimed at mitigating the environmental risks posed by these underwater munitions. The Baltic and North Seas are dotted with similar dumps, with estimates suggesting that around 1.6 million tons of munitions have been discarded in German waters alone. Conventional weapons and chemical agents, such as mustard gas, were among the materials disposed of.

For years, little action was taken regarding these underwater hazards, with many believing that the toxic materials would remain contained. However, recent studies reveal a more alarming reality, showing that the saltwater has corroded the casings of explosives, causing harmful chemicals like TNT to leach into the marine ecosystem. Research indicates that these residues are impacting marine life, with increased instances of liver tumors and organ damage found in fish near these wreck sites.

The recent surge in underwater construction projects, including offshore wind farms and energy pipelines, has reignited interest in munitions clearance. These operations often avoid the largest dump sites out of concern for delays and costs, leaving significant hazards unaddressed.

In July 2024, several disposal companies initiated a collaborative effort to tackle the extensive munitions dump in Lübeck Bay, supported by EUR100 million in funding from the German government. This initiative aims to develop an efficient and scalable system for clearing ordnance, potentially automating the process with drones that can map dump sites and systematically collect and dispose of explosives.

Among the firms involved, SeaTerra undertook the recovery of munitions from two sites, successfully retrieving approximately 10 tons of smaller ammunition and another 6 tons of heavier ordnance within a two-month period. The primary focus of this operation was not just the amount recovered, but also testing technology, gathering valuable data, and proving the feasibility of large-scale cleanup efforts.

Germany maintains a dedicated munitions disposal service for threats found on land, but underwater clearance has historically been slow and costly, often relying on divers to transport explosives to shore. The introduction of new technologies presents a promising alternative, simplifying the process and reducing costs.

The project, led by experts in munitions disposal, aims to utilize advanced robotics for underwater salvage operations. The vision includes robotic crawlers equipped with enhanced imaging and grabbing technologies that could operate continuously, greatly increasing efficiency. Remote monitoring could allow specialists to oversee operations from afar, minimizing the need for personnel on site.

Future phases of the pilot project include the establishment of a floating disposal facility capable of incinerating recovered munitions on-site, thus eliminating the risks and costs associated with transporting hazardous materials to land facilities. Such a facility would need to accommodate the safe destruction of various types of munitions, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

As this cleanup effort progresses, the potential for similar initiatives globally remains substantial, as many countries continue to grapple with the legacy of wartime munitions disposal. However, the success of such ventures will depend on securing adequate funding for environmental remediation efforts, a challenge that persists in the current climate.


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