27 January 2026 08:09 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission announces EU Ocean Observation Initiative

Key points

Introduce EU Ocean Observation Initiative for data sovereignty
Operationalise European Digital Twin Ocean by 2030

TL;DR

Commission plans an EU Ocean Observation Initiative to secure European ocean data and assets for the Digital Twin Ocean and decision-making.

Original text

European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Kadis at the 18th European Space Conference Brussels, 27 January 2026 Dear Pierre, dear Andrius, Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests, I am pleased to join you today at the European Space Conference which showcases Europe's achievements in the area of space but also the ocean. I sincerely appreciate the remarkable demonstration of the Digital Twin of the Ocean's capabilities. Its effectiveness is rooted in the excellence of our Ocean Observing System and the data it utilizes. This is why, as President von der Leyen announced at UNOC, within the framework of the European Ocean Pact, the Commission plans to introduce an initiative on ocean observation to bolster the EU's leadership and autonomy in this area. Sovereignty and autonomy indeed begin with technological and data independence. Europe cannot claim maritime sovereignty if it depends on external data to understand its own oceans and seas. Just as Europe needs independent access to space data, it requires independent access to deep-ocean intelligence. The EU Ocean Observation Initiative aims to ensure the ocean data we use, including for the Digital Twin Ocean, originates from European assets and trusted partners. This will help ensure our decisions are sovereign and verified, rather than based on external estimates. It will further foster a thriving European market for ocean observation technologies—such as autonomous gliders, smart buoys, and environmental DNA sensors—which present an opportunity for the space and aerospace supply chain to expand into the maritime domain. The European Digital Twin Ocean (DTO) is also an essential asset for safeguarding European critical infrastructure. Our maritime space accommodates numerous vital economic activities: marine trade routes, wind farms, fisheries and aquaculture, pipelines, and undersea cables carrying 97% of digital traffic—all increasingly threatened by hybrid threats. The Digital Twin of the Ocean can extend its capabilities from environmental assessment to anomaly detection, such as unexpected vessel activity near cables or seabed shifts. This ability allows for proactive rather than reactive measures, securing the backbone of our digital and marine economy. Every Euro invested in ocean observation will mitigate billions in offshore risks, safety, insurance, and coastal planning. I'm looking forward to continuing the good work with you, both on the ocean observation initiative and in making the DTO fully operational by 2030. SPEECH/26/215

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