Commission presents OceanEye initiative to put EU at the forefront of ocean observation

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the European Commission adopted OceanEye to expand the EU’s role in ocean observation. The initiative aims to position the EU as the world’s leading provider of ocean intelligence by contributing to 35% of the global ocean observing system by 2035 and securing 35% of the market for ocean observation technologies.

The ocean covers 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet only 5% has been explored. Ocean observation is critical for ocean protection and restoration, climate forecasting, blue economy activities such as fisheries and aquaculture, offshore energy, and shipping, as well as maritime security and defence.

Four pillars will guide the EU’s approach—at EU level and globally—to translate these objectives into tangible outcomes: Better governance for a more unified European approach; global leadership through an international alliance and partnerships; the European Digital Twin of the Ocean, innovation and industry growth; and engaging society and building skills. Securing funding will serve as an essential enabler and ensure long-term ocean observation.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “With OceanEye, Europe will lead the race to understand our ocean, to protect it, and to sustainably harness its potential. This is about using science and good governance to understand our ocean and secure our future. We call on all Member States and global partners to join us in to support the Global Ocean Observing System and make OceanEye a reality.”

Better governance for a more unified European approach

EU ocean observation faces fragmentation. OceanEye aims to bridge these gaps through a structured governance approach, improving coordination between Member States, research bodies and industry, and supporting the EU’s contribution to the global ocean observing system. Structured governance will help to align investments and priorities, making EU ocean observation more strategic, reduce inefficiencies and duplications in data collection, and filling existing gaps. The details will be set out in the proposal for an Ocean Act at the end of this year.

The initiative foresees a European Digital Ocean System that will include existing European services like Copernicus Marine Service, EMODnet, WISE Marine, and WISE Freshwater, creating a single-entry point for high-quality ocean data and marine knowledge. This system will also include the European Digital Twin Ocean, set to be fully operational by 2030, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive modelling for policy and industry.

Global leadership through international partnerships

The EU will launch an International Alliance to strengthen the Global Ocean Observing System addressing critical gaps in under-monitored regions in the Southern Hemisphere, the Arctic, deep sea, and coastal areas for instance.

Under the current Horizon Europe Programme, the Commission will invest €50 million to strengthen the EU’s contribution to the Global Ocean Observing System and an additional €12 million to support resilient global ocean data systems.

European Digital Twin Ocean, innovation and industry growth

A strong ocean observation innovation and industrial base is a fundamental economic and geopolitical choice and a strategic imperative for the EU.

The European Digital Twin Ocean – a virtual representation of the ocean, enabling seamless access to marine data –  will be available as a public service to Europeans and the rest of the world.

OceanEye will also support the development and deployment of new technologies, including sensors, autonomous systems, and AI, and will accelerate their transition from research to market.

Finally, OceanEye also aims to foster public-private partnerships, improve access to finance for startups, and align research with market needs. An additional €30 million under the current Horizon Europe programme will support key innovations through a European Innovation Council thematic challenge on ocean observation technologies.

Engaging society and building skills

OceanEye will make ocean observation and more widely ocean challenges and opportunities more visible and relevant to society by linking them with culture, education, and skills development.

To this end, the Commission will launch a New European Bauhaus Ocean, Coastal and Island Communities Lab to explore creative ways to present ocean data and to raise awareness on the ocean – through public installations, museum exhibitions, and collaborations with artists and designers.

In addition, a dedicated OceanEye label will be introduced, clearly identifying all contributing infrastructure.

Securing funding for long-term ocean observation

Achieving OceanEye’s goals will require substantial investments, with significant funding needed for in-situ monitoring, digital tools, and research.

At EU level, the Commission is mobilising available resources and existing instruments in support of the OceanEye initiative.

In total, the Commission will invest €92 million from the Horizon Europe programme to kickstart OceanEye:

• €50 million – strengthening the EU’s contribution to the Global Ocean Observing System
• €12 million – Supporting resilient global ocean data systems to improve data sharing and accessibility.
• €30 million – Boosting innovation through the European Innovation Council

At national and international level, the Commission calls on Member States, third countries and other partners such as philanthropies and private organisations to join the International Alliance by increasing their support for ocean observation, ensuring stable funding for improved long-term observation series.

These commitments may include mobilising financial resources, providing access to observation capacities (such as observation vessels, sensors, drones and submarine cables), investing in and/or providing access to observation and digital infrastructures, dedicating human and technical capacity to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) or Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and making relevant data available.

Background

OceanEye is one of the deliverables of the European Ocean Pact, adopted by the Commission in June 2025. It’s the Commission’s comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. The Pact brings together EU ocean policies under one single reference framework, addressing the significant threats facing our ocean, our coastal communities, islands and outermost regions.

The blue economy (economic activities at sea) is critical for the EU, with 70,000 km of coastline and 40% of Europeans living in coastal communities and islands. Ocean and blue economy related sectors account for 5 million jobs in the EU and €250 billions of gross added value.

For more information

Communication OceanEye

Factsheet: Ocean Observation at a glance

Factsheet: Making the EU the leader in ocean observation

OceanEye: EU ocean observation initiative 

Global alliance page

European Digital Twin Ocean – Research and innovation – European Commission

Restore our Ocean and Waters – Research and innovation

European Ocean Pact