Underwater robots are clearing the German coast of dangerous explosives from World War II
Underwater robots clear WWII explosives off Germany, revealing severe environmental hazards.
In the Bay of Lübeck, off Germany's northern coast, specialized environmental teams are using advanced underwater vehicles to clear discarded WWII explosives from the ocean floor. This critical operation, carried out in 2024, highlights the environmental dangers posed by vast amounts of naval mines, torpedoes, and bombs submerged in the sea for nearly 80 years.
Recent investigations revealed alarming evidence of contamination, including the presence of TNT in local marine life and high rates of organ damage in fish. The severity of these findings has driven a €100 million government project to address the issue, employing companies like SeaTerra and Eggers Kampfmittelbergung to innovate new technologies for munitions disposal.
The project has already led to the recovery of approximately 16 tons of ammunition, and aims to develop a floating disposal facility to safely and efficiently incinerate these old explosives. Future plans include creating a fully automated system with remote-controlled vehicles to map, assess, and remove explosive materials from the seabed.