Robotic Mission to Clear Munitions from Baltic Sea
CISR
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(Atlas Obscura) SeaTerra, a German explosive ordnance disposal company, is leading an unprecedented mission to clear dumped munitions from the Baltic and North Sea. Decades of wartime dumping have left over 1.6 million tonnes of munitions corroding underwater, posing serious risks to marine ecosystems and human life. The company is deploying its innovative Norppa 300, a robotic sea crawler capable of identifying and safely collecting submerged explosives.
This pilot project, funded by the German government, aims to clear around 50 to 80 tonnes of munitions and demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale underwater remediation. The urgency is growing, as deteriorating casings release toxins into the environment, threatening local seafood and ecosystems. The goal is to establish sustainable methods for clearing hazardous areas, ultimately making the seas safer. However, challenges remain with funding, disposal logistics, and handling corroded weapons.
