PRESS RELEASE – Nice, France – 6 June 2025 – At the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), on June 9 pm, Mercator Ocean International will unveil the next-generation European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EU DTO), an advanced AI-powered platform designed to simulate and explore “what-if” scenarios that reveal the potential impacts of our decisions—past, present and future—on the marine environment and the socio-economical activities. As a major outcome of the European Commission’s Ocean Pact announced yesterday, the DTO transforms Europe’s call for collective action into a powerful digital infrastructure for international cooperation, informed decision-making, and bold strategies for ocean sustainability.
at UNOC
A collaborative European platform open to all
Developed under the European Commission’s leadership and implemented by Mercator Ocean International, with key partners such as the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), the EU Digital Twin Ocean brings together cutting-edge science, technology, and expertise from across Europe to build its core infrastructure. The DTO is an open, public good, accessible to all stakeholders – from policymakers to citizens. By translating complex marine data into actionable intelligence, it supports Europe’s commitment to transparency, innovation, and the public good.
Harnessing advanced technology and AI
Leveraging Europe’s world-class scientific assets, the DTO integrates data from Copernicus Marine Service, European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) and other sources to provide consistent, multi-dimensional ocean descriptions and forecasts – from seasonal to multi-decade timescales.
Next-generation artificial intelligence, running on advanced GPU computers, delivers forecasts in seconds rather than hours, while using a fraction of the energy required by traditional supercomputers. AI-driven models have already improved ocean current prediction accuracy by more than 20%, setting a new benchmark for marine forecasting.
Real-world impact: from biodiversity to coastal protection
The DTO is designed as a practical tool for policymakers, environmental agencies, researchers, and communities, enabling informed decisions for people and the planet, on challenges such as marine biodiversity, coastal erosion or marine pollution.
Sargassum Drift : Forecasts Sargassum influxes across the Equatorial Atlantic and EEZs, enabling proactive coastal and marine planning.
Turtle Drift Tracker: Simulates endangered turtle movements, analyses fishing risk, and tests closure scenarios to reduce by-catch, supporting targeted biodiversity protection.
Nature-Based Solutions: Simulates the hydrodynamic impact of seagrass on the reduction of coastal erosion, enabling agencies to compare nature-based and engineered protection strategies.
Coastal Risk Projections: Provides local data on people and assets at risk, tailored to different climate scenarios and extreme events.
Plastic Pollution Tracker: Models global plastic drift, exposure, and travel time; enables “what-if” scenarios to assess the impact of emission cuts on local plastic footprints.
“The Digital Twin of the Ocean is more than a technological achievement—it’s our shared compass for navigating the future of our vital marine ecosystem. If the European Ocean Pact is the vision, the European Digital Twin Ocean is part of the solution: with this platform, we can anticipate challenges, and act together for a healthier ocean,” said Alain Arnaud, Head of Digital Ocean department at Mercator Ocean International
“A strong European Ocean Pact depends on robust knowledge and advanced tools to address the complexity of our seas. The European Digital Twin of the Ocean is set to become a cornerstone of the Pact as we expand its deployment,” said Kęstutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General, European Commission.
Book a demonstration of the EU Digital Twin Ocean at UNOC
During UNOC3, the EU Digital Twin Ocean powers the DECIDE space of the European Digital Ocean Pavilion (located in the Green Zone, open 2-13 June), where policymakers and stakeholders can explore “what-if” scenarios – such as restoring coasts with nature-based solutions or optimising maritime routes to reduce emissions – through immersive and real-time simulations > Contact us and book a demo of the Digital Twin Ocean
Official Launch Event: June 9, 2025 on the European Digital Ocean Pavilion
Join us at the European Digital Ocean Pavilion on June 9 from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM for the official presentation of the European Digital Twin Ocean. Hosted by the European Commission, this event will highlight how the DTO will support the upcoming EU Ocean Pact and drive collective action for ocean sustainability.
Press contacts
Laurence Collet
Corporate communications & Media Relations, Mercator Ocean International
lcollet@mercator-ocean.fr – +33 6 76 86 85 15
Margaux Demeyer
PR Manager, logos
margaux.demeyer@logos-pa.com – +33 7 49 91 93 30
