Europe is turning satellite data into strategic Ocean intelligence.
At the EU Space Conference 2026, Mercator Ocean International will demonstrate how the European Digital Twin Ocean is becoming a core European public infrastructure, transforming space-based ocean observation into trusted, actionable intelligence for climate resilience, blue economies, maritime navigation, and European digital sovereignty.
The EU Digital Twin Ocean is an operational-ready European capability, built on Copernicus satellite data, extensive in situ observing networks, AI-driven ocean modelling, and pan-European scientific infrastructure. It already supports the exploration and comparison of real-world scenarios in some of Europe’s most sensitive maritime regions, from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic.
Its strategic relevance was highlighted at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025, when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the EU Digital Twin of the Ocean as “an amazing tool that helps us understand the Ocean.”
During the Conference, Commissioners Andrius Kubilius (Defence and Space) and Costas Kadis (Fisheries and Oceans) will discover concrete use cases of the EU Digital Twin Ocean, ranging from biodiversity protection and climate resilience, maritime navigation, polar operations, low-emission shipping, and ocean conditions in complex maritime environments. These demonstrations will be followed by a high-level discussion on sovereignty, security, and Europe’s role in governing ocean data.
The demonstration comes at a pivotal moment. In 2025, twelve European states endorsed the international convention initiating Mercator Ocean’s transition towards an International Organization, signalling a move towards stronger European coordination on ocean intelligence and recognising ocean prediction as a strategic asset for security, climate policy, and geopolitical stability. In 2026, Mercator Ocean is focused on broadening political and institutional support, strengthening long-term governance, and consolidating Europe’s capacity to deliver trusted ocean intelligence as a public service for states, authorities, and strategic users.
Available Spokespeople
Pierre Bahurel, CEO
Ask Pierre about:
- Ocean intelligence as a European public service
- Why ocean prediction is becoming a strategic asset for Europe’s security and defence, not only for environment and blue economies
- The geopolitical importance of the ocean and maritime routes in a changing world
- Mercator Ocean’s evolution towards an intergovernmental organization dedicated to of digital ocean systems
Alain Arnaud, Head of Digital Ocean
Ask Alain about:
- The EU Digital Twin Ocean and how it is supporting European security, sovereignty, autonomy and operational decision-making.
- Mercator Ocean’s AI strategy and how AI is super-charging Earth observation and ocean prediction capabilities.
Press Programme
Installation highlight: The EU Digital Twin Ocean
Meet experts from Mercator Ocean and discover the EU Digital Twin Ocean: an interactive, science-based and AI-driven digital replica of the Ocean that’s supporting decision makers. At the installation, you can explore Europe’s latest advancements in ocean monitoring and predictive technologies through some practical use cases such as environmental protection, maritime navigation, security-relevant decision-making, and European digital sovereignty. There will be several practical demonstrations at the EU DTO installation over the two days. Information on timings and topics will be shared ahead of the Conference.
Day one, 10:30 – 11:30: Digital Ocean: a Space of Sovereignty and Security
Follow Commissioners Andrius Kubilius (European Commissioner for Defence and Space) and Costas Kadis (European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans) as they discover new use cases of the EU Digital Twin of the Ocean. Mercator Ocean will present key applications, from turtle-tracking to maritime traffic management, navigation and naval operations. These practical demonstrations will be followed by a moderated discussion in the Agora.
This session will address the strategic, geopolitical and security existing challenges and will position the European Digital Twin Ocean as:
• A strategic European digital infrastructure
• A trusted basis for public and operational decision-making
• A concrete pillar of European digital sovereignty
Press Contact
Laurence Collet
Corporate Communications & Media Relations, Mercator Ocean International