The BALTWRECK project has now reached its mid-term stage. Since the beginning of the project, partners and experts from the Baltic Sea Region have been working together to address environmental risks associated with shipwrecks and potential leaks of hazardous substances.
We present a video in which representatives of the project consortium summarize the progress achieved so far, share insights from the first phase of implementation, and outline priorities for the coming months. The interviews also highlight the importance of international cooperation in protecting the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.
In the interviews, the experts speak about: the key achievements and results of the project so far, conclusions from the first phase of project implementation, activities already completed and current priority areas, motivations and inspirations behind the project activities, expected outcomes and future goals of the project.
We invite you to watch the video:
Management of sunken munitions and their environmental impact - registration for the Stakeholder Dialogue Event in Belgium
Managing submerged munitions and their environmental impact is one of the key topics of international cooperation in Europe’s marine regions.
On 4 June 2026, the Stakeholder Dialogue Event will take place in Oostende, Belgium, organized within the REMARCO project (https://lnkd.in/dU2Q3yNr) - an initiative carried out by an international consortium of partners from the North Sea region, also cooperating with projects addressing threats related to submerged munitions and wrecks in the Baltic Sea region, including the Baltwreck project.
The event will focus on decision-making processes concerning the removal of unexploded ordnance (UXO), as well as challenges related to the protection of the marine environment. The meeting will bring together scientific experts, policymakers, and practitioners dealing with submerged munitions and the management of contaminated marine areas. Discussions will cover, among other topics, the environmental impact of munitions, the potential consequences of remediation activities, and the search for more sustainable solutions for UXO management. In the field of research and international cooperation, the MUNIMAP and CONMAR Munition projects are also linked to these efforts.
Cooperation and resilience of regions take center stage at the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 in Tallinn
Resilience Edition EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 and BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions in Tallinn. Promotion of the BaltWreck, CircularMuse and D-Effect projects.
Discussions on the future and resilience of the Baltic Sea Region in Tallinn
On 11–13 May, the Kultuurikatel conference centre in Tallinn hosted a series of events dedicated to regional cooperation, security, and strengthening the resilience of the Baltic Sea Region within the framework of the BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions and the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026.
The meeting brought together representatives of local and regional authorities, public administrations, international organisations, EU institutions, academia, and youth networks from across the Baltic Sea Region.
Security, energy transition and cross-border cooperation at the core of debates
The programme focused on the key challenges facing the Baltic Sea Region. Major topics included regional security and resilience, cross-border cooperation, energy transition, climate change adaptation, and the development of social innovation.
Participants also discussed the future of cooperation programmes beyond 2027, demographic challenges, regional competitiveness, and joint actions aimed at sustainable development and strengthening the social and economic resilience of the countries of the Baltic Sea Region.
Networking sessions and workshops also played an important role, enabling knowledge exchange and the development of cooperation between partners from different countries.
Promotion of the BaltWreck, CircularMuse and Deffect projects
During the event, the CircularMuse, Deffect, and BaltWreck projects were actively promoted.
Informational materials presenting ongoing activities were displayed in the forum’s networking area, and project representatives actively participated in thematic discussions on regional cooperation, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
International debate on wrecks and submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea
On the second day of the event, within the parallel sessions, the panel “Hidden ‘Treasures’ of the BSR – Munitions and Wrecks in the Sea: Risks, Challenges and Solutions” was held, focusing on environmental threats and maritime safety in the Baltic Sea Region.
The panel addressed the issue of shipwrecks and submerged munitions lying on the seabed of the Baltic Sea. Experts presented the scale of environmental risks associated with corrosion of wrecks and the release of hazardous substances into the marine environment, as well as measures being undertaken to monitor and mitigate these risks.
The BaltWreck project was also represented in the discussion, showcasing its activities aimed at addressing risks related to hazardous wrecks and protecting the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.
Regional cooperation as a key to the future of the Baltic Sea
The Tallinn event served as an important platform for exchanging experience, building partnerships, and strengthening cooperation between cities, regions, and organisations across the Baltic Sea Region.
The discussions demonstrated that effectively addressing current challenges – from environmental security to energy transition – requires long-term international cooperation and jointly developed solutions for the entire region.
Photo: Jolanta Olszewska
Experts on the hidden dangers at the bottom of the Baltic Sea
“Hidden ‘Treasures’ of the Baltic Sea” under expert scrutiny. International debate on wrecks and submerged munitions during the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 in Tallinn Experts from the Baltic Sea Region discussed environmental threats hidden on the seabed
During the international EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 in Tallinn, a panel session was held dedicated to one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the Baltic Sea Region – shipwrecks and submerged munitions lying on the seabed.
The panel “Hidden ‘Treasures’ of the BSR – Munitions and Wrecks in the Sea: Risks, Challenges and Solutions” was co-organised by partners of the BaltWreck project in cooperation with partners of European initiatives focused on marine environmental safety and mitigating risks related to hazardous objects on the Baltic seabed.
Shipwrecks and submerged munitions as a real threat to the Baltic Sea
Experts participating in the debate emphasised that historical shipwrecks and ammunition resting on the seabed of the Baltic Sea pose an increasing challenge to the natural environment, the maritime economy, and regional safety.
Progressive corrosion of wrecks may lead to the release of hazardous substances into the marine environment, affecting Baltic ecosystems and living organisms. As a result, monitoring activities, risk assessment, and the development of safe mitigation methods are becoming increasingly important.
The session was prepared in cooperation between partners of the BaltWreck, MMinE-SwEEPER, MUNIMAP, ENDURE, and MUNIRISK projects, which share the common goal of strengthening international cooperation in the field of Baltic Sea environmental protection.
International group of experts and research institutions
The debate brought together representatives of public administration, academia, and organisations engaged in environmental safety in the Baltic Sea Region:
Nora S. Klasen - Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Kultur, Bundes- und Europaangelegenheiten
Michał Czub - Instytut Oceanologii PAN,
Adam Cenian - Instytut Maszyn Przepływowych im. R. Szewalskiego, Polska Akademia Nauk (IMP PAN)
Erik Hanstein - Umweltbundesamt - German Environment Agency
Marcin Żuchowski - Stowarzyszenie Gmin RP Euroregion Bałtyk
The session was opened by Louise Floman, while the panel was moderated by Katarzyna Fidler.
International cooperation as a key to protecting the Baltic Sea
Throughout the discussion, it was repeatedly stressed that effective response to threats posed by wrecks and submerged munitions requires close cooperation between Baltic Sea Region countries, exchange of expert knowledge, and joint development of modern environmental risk management approaches.
The debate combined a high level of substantive expertise with an accessible presentation of issues related to maritime safety and environmental protection. It also provided a space for knowledge exchange between representatives of projects implemented across different parts of the Baltic Sea Region.
The BaltWreck project supports Baltic Sea environmental safety
The BaltWreck project focuses on reducing risks associated with shipwrecks and hazardous substances lying on the seabed of the Baltic Sea. Activities implemented within the project include environmental monitoring, risk analysis, and the development of marine ecosystem protection methods.
Participation in the Tallinn conference provided an opportunity to promote project activities, strengthen international cooperation, and contribute to joint discussions on the future of environmental safety in the Baltic Sea Region.
---------------- In the link below, you can watch a film that is an integral part of the event: https://lnkd.in/dPXpAuak
Photo: Jolanta Olszewska
Baltic wrecks
An important phase of the fieldwork for the BALTWRECK project, carried out on board the research vessel RV ALKOR, has now been completed.
The collected data provided valuable information on the technical condition of the investigated wrecks and their potential impact on the Baltic Sea environment. The survey covered wrecks of significant environmental importance: Torpedoboat T34, Destroyer Z28, Minesweeper M14, Wreck 231123, Submarine W19, Submarine U-768, Stuttgart, Franken, Elbing IX, and Sizilien. During the expedition, a comprehensive research programme was carried out, including: - detailed mapping of the seabed and wreck structures - inspections using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) - oceanographic measurements (CTD) - collection of water, sediment, and marine organism samples - visual documentation and geophysical measurements
An important part of the voyage also included port visits in Klaipėda and Gdynia, which provided a valuable space for exchanging experiences and discussing the monitoring and management of environmental risks related to wrecks resting on the seabed.
The attached video features footage from selected wrecks examined during the expedition.
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.
