European Commission Launches OceanEye with €92 Million Investment

The European Commission has launched OceanEye, a new initiative aimed at strengthening ocean observation and positioning the European Union as a global leader in ocean intelligence. The initiative was unveiled as part of the European Ocean Pact and will be supported by more than €92 million in funding from the Horizon Europe programme.

According to the Commission, OceanEye seeks to improve the collection, sharing and use of ocean data across Europe. The initiative aims to increase the EU's contribution to the global ocean observing system and expand the bloc's role in the development of ocean observation technologies by 2035.

The funding package includes €50 million to support global ocean monitoring, €12 million for ocean data systems and resilience measures, and €30 million through the European Innovation Council to support the development of new ocean technologies and related innovation. The initiative will build on existing European ocean observation capabilities and data networks.

OceanEye will support the development of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence applications, autonomous sensors and the European Digital Twin Ocean. The Digital Twin Ocean is intended to integrate real-time and historical ocean data to improve monitoring, forecasting and analysis of marine conditions.

The Commission said the initiative will also strengthen international cooperation on ocean observation through support for the Global Ocean Observing System and other global partnerships. OceanEye forms part of broader EU efforts to improve understanding of marine ecosystems and enhance ocean data availability for research, environmental management and maritime activities.

Ocean-monitoring infrastructure like OceanEye becomes the evidence base that maritime-sector sustainability disclosure will increasingly require - IMO compliance, TNFD blue-economy alignment, ISSB water-related disclosure. Our climate-action and nature-based-solutions teams help maritime, shipping and coastal-infrastructure clients evaluate ocean-data-linked disclosure and investment.