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The maritime environment is vital for the European development: it feeds people, gives renewable energy, helps to mitigate carbon pollution and secure world-wide connections. However, the seas and oceans are under growing pressures: from climate change to pollution to illegal fishing. The EU initiatives represent a combination of intensive measures in such fields as climate mitigation, environment and ecology, research and innovation; thus, first – investing in ocean observation, second – implementation, and third, reaping the benefits.
Background
Behind the EU efforts are the European achievements in maritime science and research: it reveals the “state-of-art” of oceans today and tomorrow. With accurate marine data, the decision-makers and citizens can better understand what happens in the deep sea and its vast waters.
Modern maritime research allows governance bodies to predict the impact of climate change and prepare for extreme weather events.
For example, in 2025, the Commission announced an ambitious European Ocean Observation Initiative, called presently the OceanEye, which is going to be the continental “window of opportunity” for the EU and the states providing key instruments “to unlock maritime secrets”.
The European Ocean Observation Initiative builds on the Ocean Pact, the Commission proposal for an objective-driven approach that responds to societal needs. It covers key areas across the knowledge value chain, aiming at long-term sustainability, ambition and strategic autonomy in ocean observation, integrating EU marine services, fostering international collaboration and securing international data, ensuring co-design and supporting the member states’ capacity.
More in: https://blue-economy-observatory.ec.europa.eu/news/european-ocean-observation-initiative-2026-02-27_en
Thus, at the end of 2025, the European Commission adopted the main Horizon Europe work program for 2026-2027, a €14 billion investment designed to drive research and innovation (R&I) across the EU’s strategic goals. These goals include achieving climate neutrality, boosting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research and innovation, and ensuring resilience in a rapidly changing world. To achieve this, the program introduces new cross-disciplinary calls and topics that will boost decarbonisation and the use of AI in research. It also expands the so-called “Choose Europe” initiative to attract global talent and makes applying for Horizon Europe funding and participation simpler.
For example, in the “AI in science” sector, with a budget of €90 million, the support is rendered to trustworthy AI applications in advanced materials, agriculture and healthcare. It contributes to the “Resource for AI Science” initiative, aligns with European digital transition goals and strengthens the continent’s leadership in safe and ethical AI development.
Reference to: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_3022
Marine data
The Commission acknowledges having “already a substantial network in place” -with sensors distributed around the world: from robot marine drones to gliders and even sensors mounted on sea turtles. All this data is fed into powerful computers to give real-time information.
Such observation works both against extreme weather events and also helps economic growth: e.g. the biggest concern in the Atlantic shellfish farmers (from Spain to Ireland) is “blooming algal”, which can wipe out an entire crop. Now using satellite observations, it is possible to forecast a bloom, weeks in advance so that farmers can protect their stocks and their livelihood. However, note the Commission, this kind of monitoring is not universally available: there are still monitoring gaps in the European waters; and the global network has recently come under even more pressure due to the lack of funding.
With the OceanEye initiative, the EU wants to turn the tide, close the gaps and enlarge the global network further so that OceanEye will lead a new charge for truly global observation surge.
Reliable observation system
The formatting marine data network is recognised in the EU as part of vital planetary infrastructure: it would soon replace the current system of voluntary cooperation, with a more structured model which is properly supported by the member states.
However, the implementation needs ensured and long-term funding: the EU’s first step is already taken presently with the announcement of € 50 million funding from Horizon Europe for the next two years (more in the above-mentioned link).
Addition, the EU needs commitments from the member states and trusted partners in the continent and the world through a recently launched “international alliance” aimed to secure funding from countries, the private sectors and philanthropists. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission has already joined the European initiative.
As soon as the “maritime future” depends on the marine data network, all partners working together assure the initiative’s success.
OceanEye initiative
The OceanEye is a great opportunity for the European businesses, research and academia; it is as well “a chance for Europe to be a world leader in marine data”, notes the Commission.
This data has a huge range of commercial applications: e.g. for companies working on robotic drones, computerised weather predictions and complex data analysis; some cutting-edge firms are leading the way in this exciting sector.
A good example for the European leadership is the “Digital Twin of the Ocean” (launched in February 2022), an event taking place during the Ocean Days. This powerful tool uses marine data to predict ocean behavior, to forecast ocean currents, weather patterns, and even the migratory routes of whales.
The European Ocean Days (in March 2026) is a week-long event with a series of dynamic and interconnected sessions focused on key ocean-related themes, all designed to encourage participants to engage across topics and contribute to a shared vision for the ocean’s prosperity, competitiveness, security and sustainability.
Reference to: https://maritime-forum.ec.europa.eu/theme/governance/european-ocean-days_en
The European Digital Twin Ocean program is a “virtual replica of the oceans”: it integrates data from many different sources, including satellites, sensors, computer models and even personal devices like smartphone apps. These different data sources constantly “feed” the Digital Twin to provide continuous and up-to-date information about the ocean: from the behavior of marine species to weather patterns, chemical processes, economic activities, etc.
More in: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters/european-digital-twin-ocean_en.
The Digital Twin is at the main element of OceanEye program to be fully operational by 2030. The OceanEye initiative is also an opportunity to bring the maritime knowledge to researchers and the public: the more people and the researchers in the member states know about the seas and oceans, the more they we will cherish and protect marine environment.
The OceanEye initiative is built on good progress already made in recent years on ocean’s governance: about ten percent of the sea-ocean area around Europe is now governed by the Marine Protected Areas.
The EU is advancing the regulatory path too: the Commission has launched the Ocean Pact, with clear targets for conservation and economic growth, which is a serious breakthrough with the existing High Seas Treaty, to protect deep sea waters. The Ocean Act will be adopted later in 2026 to support OceanEye and provide a clear governance structure.
Now, Commission President notes, the EU needs the “member states’ support”; in the weeks ahead, Commissioner Kadis will reach out to potential partners inside and outside the EU to ask to pledge support and funding.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_26_504