MUNI-RISK: Addressing the Risks of Munitions in the Baltic Sea 

The new MUNI-RISK project looks into the environmental and safety risks of submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea.

The MUNI-RISK project, an EU-funded initiative addressing the environmental and safety risks posed by submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea, has officially launched and will have its kick-off meeting in Roskilde, Denmark on 14-16 January 2025. The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) is a partner in the project led by Aarhus University.

Running from 2024 to 2027, the MUNI-RISK project brings together leading scientists, practitioners and policymakers to develop solutions for managing munitions in the sea. 

An estimated 40,000 tonnes of chemical munitions from World War II, along with over one million tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO), lie submerged in the Baltic Sea. Containing hazardous substances like mustard gas and arsenic compounds, often in corroding containers, these munitions pose serious risks to marine ecosystems, human health, and industries such as fishing and offshore wind energy.

MUNI-RISK’s goals include:

  • Help countries decide on actions: Providing countries with scientific tools to determine whether munitions should be left in place or safely removed.
  • Develop clear risk assessment tools: Developing methods to identify and prioritise high-risk areas for immediate attention.
  • Support environmental planning: Creating guidelines for incorporating munitions risks into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for projects such as offshore wind farms.
  • Create transferable technologies: Designing methods transferable to other regions, including the Black Sea.
  • Work with local authorities, government bodies, and industry experts: Working closely with local authorities, environmental agencies, and industry experts to ensure sustainable and safe outcomes.

MUNI-RISK will focus its efforts on several key areas in the Baltic Sea. In Bornholm, Denmark, the project will concentrate on data collection due to the region’s high concentration of submerged munitions. In Estonia, the focus will be on examining the impact of munitions on local ecosystems and communities. Additionally, Poland and Germany will contribute insights and data from existing projects to support the project’s overall analysis and recommendations.

The MUNI-RISK project partners are Aarhus University (lead), Bornholm Regional Municipality, CBSS, GEOMAR, HELCOM, and IOPAN.

The project notably builds on earlier initiatives led by the CBSS, including the Kiel Roundtable on Dumped Munitions in the Baltic Sea. This roundtable was part of the activities under the German Presidency of the CBSS, which had set sea-dumped munitions as one of its priorities. It contributed to the groundwork for the current cooperation and practical action on munitions in the sea.

MUNI-RISK is part of a broader Baltic Sea regional effort to address the issue of submerged munitions. It operates in close exchange with other projects, such as MUNIMAP, in which the CBSS also participates, and MMinE-SwEEPER.