In the scenic Bay of Lübeck, specialized teams are actively recovering World War II-era munitions that have been quietly resting on the seafloor for nearly 80 years. These operations target discarded naval mines, torpedoes, artillery shells, and heavy aerial bombs, remnants of a hasty military disposal following the war.
Throughout September and October of 2024, advanced underwater vehicles equipped with cameras, lights, and sensors scoured the waters, identifying explosives sunk deliberately by the Allies. Watching from a floating platform overhead, experts verified and assessed each find before using robots or hydraulic grabber arms to carefully secure the hazardous materials in storage containers.
At the close of WWII, vast quantities of munitions were hastily dumped in the Baltic Sea under orders from the Allied powers to eliminate the remnants of Germany’s arsenal and some of their own. Fishermen were paid to discard these weapons at designated sites, but many were disposed of indiscriminately elsewhere in the bay, leading to an estimated 1.6 million tons of arms thrown into German waters, including dangerous chemical munitions.
Historically, these underwater dumps received little attention, with many believing the toxic chemicals would remain safely contained within rusting shells. However, recent research reveals a growing environmental threat. Studies have detected TNT in local marine life, and there is compelling evidence of harm to fish populations near these hazardous sites.
The urgency of the situation has increased with a rise in underwater construction activities, such as wind farms and gas pipelines, which often skirt around the larger munitions dumps due to the associated risks and costs. In July 2024, a €100 million ($105 million) initiative funded by the German government was launched, focused on developing efficient methodologies for munitions clearance.
SeaTerra, alongside Eggers Kampfmittelbergung, began salvaging operations, successfully recovering 10 tons of smaller caliber ammunition and 6 tons of heavier ordnance within two months. This initial phase focused on testing equipment and gathering critical data rather than volume of recovered munitions.
Advances in technology are paving the way for future operations. A floating munitions disposal facility is planned to incinerate munitions on site, reducing the risks associated with transporting explosives to centralized disposal facilities. The next step includes utilizing unmanned underwater vehicles for automated mapping and sorting of munitions, ultimately streamlining the recovery process.
Management of these projects is still entrusted to skilled human operators, but the potential for virtual oversight is being explored, allowing experts to manage tasks remotely and consult on complicated operations without being physically present.
As countries worldwide still contend with munitions disposal from past conflicts, the success of these initiatives in Germany could inspire similar efforts internationally, provided government funding and resources align with the pressing need for environmental remediation. The message remains clear: extensive follow-up is crucial, as there continues to be much work ahead to address the lingering threats posed by munitions discarded in our oceans.
