EU advances digital ocean twin to forecast climate and maritime risks

The European Union has taken a significant step forward with its digital twin of the ocean, a cutting-edge technological tool designed to enhance climate and maritime forecasting. This initiative is part of a larger ambition for the EU to provide 35% of the world's ocean observation capacity by 2035.

"Although oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface, only 5% has been adequately mapped and explored," stated Costas Kadis, the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, during the presentation. He emphasized that knowledge is fragmented, underfunded, and at risk of collapse precisely when it is most needed.

The digital twin is now integrated into OceanEye, a new European framework aimed at strengthening ocean observation and positioning the EU as a global leader in marine intelligence. Mercator Ocean International, the European entity operating the Copernicus marine service for the EU, is central to this project. It seeks to establish a sustained and coordinated system for global ocean observation and associated digital services.

Launched in 2024, the Digital Twin of the Ocean is a virtual replica of the seas, powered by data from satellites, sensors, models, supercomputing, and artificial intelligence. Its purpose is to anticipate climate risks and analyze marine ecosystems. The broader OceanEye initiative, formally adopted by the European Commission on June 3, aims to coordinate European ocean observation efforts and bolster the EU's role as a global provider of marine intelligence. This push comes as the United States has announced significant funding cuts to its ocean sensor network.