A New Norwegian Chapter Begins
On 9 October 2025, REMARCO entered an exciting new phase. Following its selection by the Interreg North Sea Monitoring Committee, the project is now broadening its scope to include a dedicated Norwegian dimension—opening the door to new collaborations, research opportunities, and innovations across Northern Europe.
This expansion brings strong new partners into the consortium: the Norwegian Defence Museum and UiT The Arctic University of Norway. In addition, the project’s Advisory Board is strengthened by the inclusion of Akvaplan-niva, joining existing Norwegian expertise such as the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). Together, these partners will advance research at the intersection of maritime history, environmental science, and emerging technologies.
With the Norwegian extension, REMARCO will explore a wide spectrum of new topics and regions. Research will include investigations of iconic wrecks such as the Tirpitz, alongside other historically significant sites that pose long-term environmental challenges. Arctic and sub-Arctic waters—characterized by unique ecological conditions and legacy pollutants—will provide an essential comparative perspective to ongoing studies in the North Sea.
Technological innovation also moves into sharper focus. Tools such as the MesoSens prototype, in combination with hyperspectral imaging, will enable high-resolution mapping of contaminants directly on site, helping to capture pollution pathways with unprecedented precision. At the same time, newly accessible datasets from Norwegian institutions will fill critical knowledge gaps and significantly enhance marine pollution assessments.
Importantly, this extension strengthens REMARCO’s capacity to connect science with policy. Field campaigns, public outreach, and interdisciplinary collaboration will support evidence-based decision-making and contribute to sustainable management strategies for underwater cultural heritage and environmentally hazardous wreck sites.
The Norwegian expansion marks a major milestone for REMARCO—one that deepens cooperation, enriches scientific understanding, and broadens the project’s ability to protect marine environments across Northern Europe. We look forward to sharing new discoveries as we navigate this next chapter together.
Cover: © Ignacio Rada Cotera, IkerConsulting 2025. All rights reserved.