The EU project CAMMera, “Clearance Activities for Marine Munition through Efficient Remediation Approaches”, has officially launched with an online kick-off meeting on 8 July 2025, bringing together representatives from DG MARE, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), and project partner institutions from across Europe. Like MMinE-SwEEPER, CAMMera is coordinated by GEOMAR, and the two projects are closely linked by design.
CAMMera picks up where MMinE-SwEEPER leaves off: while MMinE-SwEEPER focuses on phases 1 to 3 of the offshore explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) chain, detection, survey, and manipulation, CAMMera addresses phase 4: full-scale clearance and final disposal of dumped munitions on the seafloor. Throughout its three-year duration, CAMMera will work hand in hand with MMinE-SwEEPER to ensure a seamless transition of technologies and strategies across the entire clearance process.
This cooperation includes regular joint meetings, coordinated technology development, and a planned joint cruise, where complementary systems from both projects will be tested under realistic operational conditions. Moreover, CAMMera will rely on key innovations from MMinE-SwEEPER, such as subsea grabber technology, while extending their application toward automated, scalable disposal. A central technological focus of CAMMera is the development of remote-controlled and autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). These are designed to overcome some of the limitations of crawler-based systems, such as restricted mobility in soft sediment and limited area coverage. CAMMera also includes the design of automated surveillance systems to continuously monitor remediation sites both above and below water, enhancing operational safety and environmental oversight. Combined with tools for the environmentally friendly removal of open explosives and an industrial-scale automated disassembly line, CAMMera aims to deliver an integrated, scalable solution for the final phase of clearance operations.
Beyond technology, CAMMera will also explore regulatory and strategic gaps that currently hinder broad-scale remediation. There are no harmonised rules on the extent of clearance needed, nor established procedures for “as-left” surveys after operations. CAMMera will help fill this void, including through further development of the XploTector system for clearance monitoring. Recognising the sensitivity of some aspects of disposal operations, CAMMera will coordinate with the Security Advisory Board (SAB) of MMinE-SwEEPER, rather than establish a separate body—an efficient and trusted solution already in place.
Together, MMinE-SwEEPER and CAMMera form a powerful tandem, advancing Europe’s capabilities from detection to safe and sustainable disposal of marine munitions, while building the foundation for a comprehensive, end-to-end clearance strategy for all European sea basins.
CAMMera is co-funded with 5.6 Mio € by the European Union Pilot Project and Preparatory Actions Funds (PPPA) under GA No. 101226176.
