The workshop, organised at the European Maritime Day in Svendborg, will address the pressing issue of unexploded ordnance (UXO), spotlighting the substantial contributions of the JPI Oceans Knowledge Hub on Munition in the Sea and EU-funded endeavors like BASTA and ExploTECH.
A highlight of the session will be the launch of a new web portal that bundles key information and best practices to guide policy-making and operational endeavors concerning underwater munitions. Interactive discussions will encompass the environmental and safety ramifications of UXOs, as well as strides in technological innovations for their detection and eradication, while also exploring strategies for protecting marine ecosystem health in munition-affected areas. Moreover, deliberations will broaden to encompass recent contextual shifts, including safety concerns amid geopolitical tensions but also recent national investments in munitions research, innovation, and recovery efforts.
The event is moderated by Jella Kandziora, JPI Oceans. Concluding remarks will be provided by Christos Economou, DG Mare.