AtlantOS · Project

Integrated Ocean Monitoring System With Low-Cost Sensors for Maritime Industries

environmentTestedTRL 6

atlantos-h2020.eu

Imagine trying to manage the Atlantic Ocean with scattered weather stations that don't talk to each other — that's basically what ocean monitoring looked like before this project. AtlantOS connected 66 organizations across 18 countries to build a unified ocean observing system, like creating one dashboard for the entire Atlantic. They developed cheaper sensors, deployed smart floats that measure water chemistry at depth, and built data services so anyone from fisheries to shipping can actually use the information. Think of it as building the "Google Maps" layer for ocean conditions — temperature, salinity, biological activity — all in near real-time.

By the numbers

partner organizations in the consortium

countries spanning both sides of the Atlantic

EUR 20.6 million

EU contribution to the project

industry partners in the consortium

SMEs involved in the project

112

total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Maritime industries — shipping, offshore energy, fisheries, aquaculture — depend on accurate, timely ocean data, but Atlantic monitoring has been fragmented across dozens of national systems that don't share data efficiently. Companies face high costs for environmental surveys, lack early warning for harmful algal blooms or changing ocean conditions, and struggle to access seabed and water column data in usable formats. This gap means higher operational risk, regulatory uncertainty, and missed opportunities for route optimization and site selection.

The solution

What was built

The project produced 112 deliverables including: validated prototypes of biogeochemical and biological ocean sensors; deployed Bio-Argo and O2-deep floats across the Atlantic; a low-cost salinity sensor buoy tested at sea; near real-time biochemical monitoring including harmful algal bloom and marine pathogen data; bathymetry visualization integrating multiple European data repositories into EuroMapApp; and standardized data service specifications for discovery, viewing, and download of ocean observations.

Audience

Who needs this

Offshore wind farm developers needing ocean condition monitoring and seabed survey dataCommercial fishing fleets and aquaculture operators requiring early warning on algal blooms and pathogensShipping companies optimizing Atlantic routes using real-time ocean dataMarine environmental consultancies conducting impact assessmentsOcean sensor and instrument manufacturers looking for validated designs to commercialize

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Maritime Shipping & Logistics

enterprise

Target: Shipping companies and port authorities managing Atlantic routes

If you are a shipping company dealing with unpredictable ocean conditions on Atlantic routes — this project built integrated ocean data services with discovery, viewing, and download capabilities that cover the full Atlantic basin. With 66 partner organizations feeding data from 18 countries, the system delivers near real-time oceanographic information that can inform route planning, fuel optimization, and risk assessment for transatlantic operations.

Aquaculture & Fisheries

any

Target: Fish farming operations and commercial fishing fleet operators

If you are a fisheries or aquaculture company dealing with harmful algal blooms, changing water conditions, or pathogens — this project developed near real-time monitoring of biochemical and ecologically relevant variables, including quantitative data on harmful algal bloom species and marine pathogens. The validated biogeochemical sensors and Bio-Argo floats provide early warning data that can protect stock and reduce losses.

Offshore Energy & Marine Engineering

enterprise

Target: Offshore wind, oil & gas operators needing ocean condition data

If you are an offshore energy operator dealing with expensive environmental monitoring requirements — this project validated prototypes of low-cost salinity sensors mounted on buoys, tested at sea with anti-biofouling solutions. The integrated bathymetry visualization system (EuroMapApp) makes seabed data from multiple European repositories visible and usable, reducing the cost of site surveys and environmental impact assessments for offshore installations.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to access the ocean data or sensor technology?

The project built open data services with standardized discovery, viewing, and download specifications. As a publicly funded EU project (EUR 20.6 million), core data outputs are designed for open access. Sensor prototypes (like the low-cost salinity buoy) were developed with commercial partner NKE, so licensing terms would need to be negotiated with individual technology providers in the 66-partner consortium.

Can this system work at industrial scale across the Atlantic?

The system was designed specifically for Atlantic-wide operation, integrating observations from 18 countries including both sides of the Atlantic (EU, US, Canada, Brazil, South Africa). It connects with the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Copernicus Marine Monitoring Services, which are already operational at continental scale. The 112 deliverables include network optimization work aimed at reducing operational costs.

Who owns the intellectual property — can I license the sensor technology?

IP is distributed across 66 partners. The low-cost salinity sensor was co-developed by CNRS and NKE (a commercial sensor manufacturer). Biogeochemical sensor prototypes were validated by the consortium. For licensing specific technologies, you would need to contact the relevant partner — GEOMAR in Kiel, Germany coordinated the project.

Is the ocean data compatible with existing maritime information systems?

Yes — the project specifically developed standardized service specifications for discovery, viewing, and download of ocean data. It was designed to connect with the Copernicus Marine Monitoring Services and the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), which are the main EU marine data platforms already used by industry.

How current is this technology — when was it last tested?

The project ran from 2015 to 2019. Sensor prototypes were validated in laboratory, test scenarios, and operational ocean deployments. Bio-Argo floats were deployed in the Atlantic. The low-cost salinity buoy was tested at sea. The underlying systems (GOOS, Copernicus) continue to operate and evolve beyond the project's end.

Does this meet regulatory requirements for marine environmental monitoring?

The project aligned with EU marine policy requirements and was designed to support the Copernicus Marine Monitoring Services. Sensor calibration used metrology standards developed within the project. The data services follow standardized specifications, which supports regulatory compliance for environmental impact assessments and marine spatial planning.

Consortium

Who built it

AtlantOS is one of the larger H2020 consortia with 66 partners across 18 countries and a EUR 20.6 million budget. The mix is research-heavy (30 research organizations) but includes 14 industry partners and 13 SMEs — a 21% industry ratio that signals real commercial interest in ocean monitoring technology. The consortium spans the full Atlantic basin with partners in Europe, North America, Brazil, and South Africa, which means the technology was tested across diverse ocean conditions, not just one region. For a business buyer, the key partners to watch are the sensor manufacturers (like NKE for salinity sensors) and the data service providers who turned research outputs into usable products. GEOMAR in Kiel, Germany led the coordination.

HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR OZEANFORSCHUNG KIEL (GEOMAR)Coordinator · DE
HAVFORSKNINGSINSTITUTTETparticipant · NO
THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETERparticipant · UK
BLUE LOBSTER IT LIMITEDparticipant · UK
EUROGOOSparticipant · BE
SEASCAPE CONSULTANTS LTDparticipant · UK
MINISTERIO DA CIENCIA, TECNOLOGIA E INOVAÇÃOparticipant · BR
UNIVERSIDAD DE LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIAthirdparty · ES
HAVSTOVANparticipant · FO
PLYMOUTH MARINE LABORATORY LIMITEDparticipant · UK
THE SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR MARINE SCIENCE LBGparticipant · UK
DANMARKS METEOROLOGISKE INSTITUTparticipant · DK
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONparticipant · FR
EURO-ARGO ERICparticipant · FR
IEEE FRANCE SECTIONparticipant · FR
DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITYparticipant · CA
CONSORCIO PARA EL DISENO, CONSTRUCCION, EQUIPAMIENTO Y EXPLOTACION DE LA PLATAFORMA OCEANICA DE CANARIASparticipant · ES
FONDATION EUROPEENNE DE LA SCIENCEparticipant · FR
MET OFFICEparticipant · UK
EUROPEAN MARINE BOARD IVZWparticipant · BE
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTHparticipant · UK
MARINE INSTITUTEparticipant · IE
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASparticipant · ES
ALFRED-WEGENER-INSTITUT HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR POLAR- UND MEERESFORSCHUNGparticipant · DE
ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEUREthirdparty · FR
IMAR - INSTITUTO DO MARparticipant · PT
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEAparticipant · DK
UNIVERSITAET BREMENparticipant · DE
UNITED KINGDOM RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONparticipant · UK
INSTYTUT OCEANOLOGII POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUKparticipant · PL
ACRI ST SASparticipant · FR
COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCHparticipant · ZA
COLLECTE LOCALISATION SATELLITESparticipant · FR
EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR MEDIUM-RANGE WEATHER FORECASTSparticipant · UK
DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITETparticipant · DK
METEO-FRANCEthirdparty · FR
UNIVERSIDADE DO ALGARVEparticipant · PT
INSTITUT FRANCAIS DE RECHERCHE POUR L'EXPLOITATION DE LA MERparticipant · FR
NKE INSTRUMENTATIONparticipant · FR
NORSK INSTITUTT FOR VANNFORSKNING STIparticipant · NO
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNAparticipant · IT
CENTRO INTERDISCIPLINAR DE INVESTIGACAO MARINHA E AMBIENTALparticipant · PT
CLU srlparticipant · IT
MARIENE INFORMATIE SERVICE MARIS BVparticipant · NL
MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EVparticipant · DE
DEVELOGIC GMBHparticipant · DE
FONDAZIONE CENTRO EURO-MEDITERRANEOSUI CAMBIAMENTI CLIMATICIparticipant · IT
WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTIONparticipant · US
EUMETNET SNCparticipant · BE
INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENTparticipant · FR
ETT SPAparticipant · IT
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSparticipant · FR
VLAAMS INSTITUUT VOOR DE ZEEparticipant · BE
MERCATOR OCEANparticipant · FR
STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTENparticipant · NL
KONGSBERG MARITIME CONTROS GMBHparticipant · DE
UNIVERSITETET I BERGENparticipant · NO
T.E. LABORATORIES LIMITEDparticipant · IE
BANTRY MARINE RESEARCH STATION LIMITEDparticipant · IE
SORBONNE UNIVERSITEparticipant · FR
KONSORTIUM DEUTSCHE MEERESFORSCHUNG EVparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany — led a 66-partner consortium

Order a report on this consortium See HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR OZEANFORSCHUNG KIEL (GEOMAR) profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the sensor developers or data service teams from AtlantOS? SciTransfer can identify the right partner for your specific marine monitoring need and arrange an introduction.

Order a report on this topic More in Environment & Climate