Global Experts Converge in Kiel for Second Edition of Munition Clearance Week!
From June 18 to 20, the city of Kiel hosted the second edition of the Kiel Munition Clearance Week (KMCW), once again positioning itself at the center of international dialogue on underwater munition clearance. Opened by Schleswig-Holstein's Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt and Jann Wendt of north.io, the event brought together over 200 participants from 16 countries. The conference served as a critical platform for discussing technological, environmental, and strategic solutions for the removal of underwater munitions and the protection of vital infrastructure in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Attendees included high-level representatives from the EU Commission, NATO, the German Navy and other naval forces, alongside experts from government agencies, academia, industry, and environmental organizations. A highlight of the week was the presence of MUNIMAR, represented by all its partners and featured in an official side event on the evening of Day 2. Alexander Bach from the Ministry for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature introduced the MUNIMAR initiative, showcasing its role in advancing safe and sustainable munition clearance strategies. This was followed by a dynamic panel discussion that addressed the challenges of effectively communicating the urgency and complexity of the issue. Moderated by Sascha Stoltenow of Script Communications, the panel brought together diverse perspectives from: • Andreas Schmidt (Norddeutscher Rundfunk) • Dr. Samar Ensenbach (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel) • Linda Heitmann, Member of the German Bundestag (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN) • Prof. Henning von Nordheim (University of Rostock) Together, the panelists emphasized the need for coordinated action, transparent communication, and interdisciplinary cooperation to ensure the effectiveness and visibility of munition clearance efforts. As underwater munitions continue to pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems and infrastructure, KMCW 2025 is already being anticipated as a vital checkpoint in this ongoing mission.
