The next phase of the ALKOR research cruise as part of the BALTWRECK project
On March 30, during a stopover in Gdynia, a research cruise dedicated to the exploration of the Stuttgart wreck took place
The event was attended by representatives of key institutions involved in marine environmental protection and environmental risk management, including the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, the Chief Inspectorate of Sea Fisheries, the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Province, the City of Gdynia, the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and BALTWRECK project partners who did not participate in the entire expedition
During the meeting, the project’s objectives and the results of research to date on wrecks lying on the bottom of the Baltic Sea were discussed. Particular attention was paid to the risks associated with potential leaks of fuel and other hazardous substances, as well as methods for monitoring the condition of the wrecks.
Participants also had the opportunity to learn about the scope of work conducted during the cruise, including seabed mapping, water and sediment sampling, and environmental analyses
In the coming days, the expedition will continue to study additional sites in the Baltic Sea, providing data necessary to develop effective methods for managing wrecks that constitute a potential source of pollution.
Synergy for the Baltic – Leaders of Port Projects Meet in Elbląg
On 24–25 March 2026, an international partner meeting of projects implemented under the Interreg South Baltic 2021–2027 programme took place in Elbląg. The event brought together partners from initiatives such as PortSHAZ, DigiTechPort2030, INCONE60 Green, and BaltWreck, all focused on the future of seaports in the region.
A particularly important role is played by the BaltWreck project, which—although primarily associated with underwater activities such as shipwreck investigations—has a much broader scope of impact. The project supports not only the protection of heritage and the environment beneath the sea surface, but also activities carried out on the water and within ports. This includes, among others, improving navigational safety, developing operational procedures, and strengthening cooperation between institutions responsible for maritime spatial management.
The remaining projects complement these efforts by advancing digital technologies, increasing port operational efficiency, and implementing environmentally sustainable solutions. What unites all these initiatives is a systemic approach—treating ports as complex ecosystems in which both underwater and surface-level activities are of critical importance.
The meeting in Elbląg confirmed that modern maritime projects, including BaltWreck, extend beyond the traditional framework of underwater research. Their outcomes are primarily visible in improved port operations, as well as enhanced safety and sustainable development across the Baltic Sea region.
The Baltwreck Project - Research Cruise
The voyage of the research vessel RV ALKOR began in Kiel on March 14. The expedition aims to investigate shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea for environmental hazards, primarily fuel leaks and substances from munitions.
Yesterday, the vessel called at the port of Klaipėda, where a meeting was held on board with representatives of Lithuanian institutions involved in marine environmental protection. It was an opportunity to present the project’s objectives, the scope of the research being conducted, and to exchange experiences
As part of the voyage, detailed work is being conducted, including seabed mapping, the use of underwater vehicles (AUVs and ROVs), as well as the collection of water, sediment, and marine organism samples. Some of the analyses are performed on board in real time, allowing for the rapid determination of the extent of contamination.
In the subsequent stages of the expedition, surveys of additional wrecks in the waters of Poland and Lithuania are planned, including those containing fuel and hazardous materials. The collected data will be used to assess environmental risks and support the development of effective methods for monitoring and managing such wrecks in the Baltic Sea region.
The EU is working on a strategy for removing unexploded ordnance from the seas
On February 12, 2026, a special expert session was held at the European Commission in Brussels on the development of an EU strategy for the removal of unexploded ordnance (UXO) under the European Ocean Pact.
Unexploded ordnance and sunken ammunition on the seabed are not only a safety issue—they also pose a serious environmental, infrastructural, and planning challenge.
During the meeting, Dr. Anita Künitzer from the Umweltbundesamt - German Environment Agency (Baltwreck project partner) presented the results of the thematically similar MUNIMAP project on the legal aspects of marine ammunition management in the Baltic Sea region.
The process of developing a common EU strategy confirms that the issue of munitions and hazardous underwater objects is becoming one of the key elements of European maritime policy, also in the context of activities carried out in the Baltic Sea region.
Brainstorming for the BALTWRECK project
On Friday, a meeting devoted to BIOTA in the area of the Stuttgart wreck was held at the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
It was an opportunity to discuss ways of neutralizing threats to the marine environment.
The meeting once again emphasized the importance of developing procedures for the collection, safe storage, and disposal of petroleum substances released into the marine environment.
BALTWRECK project meeting
Today, a meeting devoted to communication issues in the project was held at the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences. It was an opportunity to discuss ways of conducting information and promotional activities and optimizing the coordination of cooperation between consortium partners.
During the meeting, we discussed, among other things
enhancing the visibility of project results
regular exchange of promotional materials
planning joint activities
An important element of the discussion was also the organization and agreement of the calendar of events and project conferences planned for 2026, which will allow for more efficient organization of activities and participation of partners in upcoming initiatives.
We are working together to make the results of the BALTWRECK project even more visible and reach a wider audience.
