Maritime Logistics
enterpriseTarget: Shipping and freight operators
If you are a shipping operator dealing with unpredictable sea conditions — this project developed a digital twin that provides actionable knowledge to optimize routes and safety.
EDITO 2 · Project
Scaling a Digital Twin of the Ocean for Marine Data and Decision Making
environmentTestedTRL 5
Imagine having a high-tech digital mirror of the entire ocean that updates in real-time. It takes messy data from satellites and sensors and turns it into a clear map that anyone can use. It's like having a Google Maps for the ocean's health and movements to help people make better choices.
By the numbers
13,999,500
EU Contribution in EUR
2030
Target year for fully operational platform
The business problem
What needed solving
Marine data is currently fragmented and often too complex for non-experts to use. This prevents businesses and decision-makers from using real-time ocean insights to mitigate climate risks or optimize operations.
The solution
What was built
A cloud-native digital twin platform with a three-tier service model (explore, create, contribute) and a unified Core Catalogue for high-resolution marine data.
Audience
Who needs this
Offshore energy developersMaritime logistics companiesEnvironmental impact consultantsGovernmental ocean management agencies
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Environmental Consulting
SMETarget: Marine ecology firms
If you are a consultancy dealing with fragmented regional ecosystem data — this project developed local twins in Lighthouse Areas that provide high-resolution data for climate needs.
Offshore Energy
mid-sizeTarget: Wind farm developers
If you are an energy developer dealing with complex underwater site assessments — this project developed a three-tier service model that allows businesses to explore and contribute marine data.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the cost or price to access the platform?
Based on available project data, the project is funded by a EUR 13,999,500 EU contribution, but specific commercial pricing for end-users is not listed.
Is the solution ready for industrial scale?
Yes, Phase 2 specifically focuses on scaling up cloud-native infrastructure and broadening the user base to serve as a global benchmark by 2030.
How is the IP and licensing handled?
Based on available project data, the project emphasizes open calls, community engagement, and alignment with international standards, though specific license types are not detailed.
What is the timeline for full operation?
The project runs from 2025-03-01 to 2028-08-31, with a vision of being fully operational by 2030.
How does it integrate with existing marine data?
It integrates diverse data and models from leading initiatives such as EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service into a unified Core Catalogue.
Consortium
Who built it
The consortium is highly concentrated, consisting of only 2 partners from 2 countries (Belgium and France). Notably, there are 0 industry partners and 0 SMEs, meaning the project is currently driven entirely by research organizations. This suggests a strong scientific foundation but a potential gap in immediate commercial application without external business onboarding.
How to reach the team
Contact MERCATOR OCEAN in France
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to find partners for the upcoming open calls and innovation challenges mentioned in the project.
More in Environment & Climate
See all Environment & Climate projects →