Promotes MV's Ammunition Removal Competency Center, led by Backhaus - Advertisement for a Munitions Recovery Facility in MV by Backhouse
In a significant development, Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) has proposed the establishment of a future federal competence center for munitions recovery in Rostock, located in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, along the North and Baltic Seas.
The proposed center aims to address the vast amount of conventional old ammunition stored in these seas. Estimates suggest that approximately 300,000 tons of such munitions are stored in the Baltic Sea, and 1.3 million tons in the North Sea. These stored munitions have been corroding for over 80 years in the North Sea.
The Ocean Technology Campus (OTC) in Rostock, a funded network of maritime research institutions and companies, offers excellent conditions for this competence center. The city's strategic maritime significance, as a major port, further strengthens its case as a potential location for the center.
Schleswig-Holstein has also proposed cooperation with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in setting up this federal competence center. However, details about a potential offer of cooperation from Kiel are not yet available.
During his inaugural visit to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Minister Schneider will visit the Biosphere Reserve Southeast Rügen and the Greifswald Moor Centrum. The Digital Ocean Lab, an internationally unique test site off the coast of Warnemünde, is another strong asset that Rostock boasts, adding to its potential as a hub for maritime research and recovery efforts.
Economics Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen (CDU) has suggested using and further developing existing structures to avoid duplicate structures. As of now, no publicly available detailed updates or official progress reports have been found regarding the establishment of this federal competence center.
To get the latest status, it would be best to consult official German federal ministry announcements, such as the Ministry of Defense or Interior, or the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state government press releases, as well as local Rostock news sources. Further updates on this topic will be provided as more information becomes available.
The proposed federal competence center for munitions recovery could potentially benefit from aid in the production of electricity and energy efficiency initiatives, given the focus on maritime research and recovery efforts. Science and environmental science could play crucial roles in this center, particularly in the context of climate-change and industry. Financial investment might be required to ensure the success and sustainability of such a center, with damages from corroding munitions estimated to cost billions.
