Mercator Ocean International

2025: A Transformative Year for Ocean Prediction and Governance

Driven by the ambition of its shareholders, potential Member States, and the European Commission, Mercator Ocean is making strides towards becoming a world- leading intergovernmental organization for digital ocean systems and information services. As the organization enters the final phase of its 2021–2028 strategy, 2025 stands out as a pivotal year marked by three strategic […]

SOS Ocean: Mercator Ocean Confirms Commitment to Scientific Innovation and Support for International Initiatives

Following the international SOS Ocean event in Paris, Mercator Ocean International confirms its commitment to its role in scientific innovation and its support for international initiatives for sustainable Ocean management.  The SOS Ocean Manifesto was presented in Paris on Sunday March 31 by opinion leaders, policymakers, scientists and Ocean advocates from around the world. It […]

Mercator Ocean contributes to the WMO State of the Global Climate 2024 Report

Mercator Ocean International has contributed in the recently released World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of the Global Climate 2024 report. This comprehensive report reveals that 2024 has surpassed 2023 as the warmest year on record, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by climate change.  Karina von Schuckmann, an Oceanographer and Mercator Ocean’s Senior Advisor on Ocean […]

Fondation de la Mer Awards 2025: Honouring Four Outstanding Ocean Personalities

Pierre Bahurel receives Leadership award from Eric Banel, Director General of French Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture On March 11th, 2025, in Paris, the Fondation de la Mer, one of France’s leading organisation for ocean conservation, supported by the Transatlantic Bank, honoured exceptional individuals for their positive impact on the Ocean across four categories: Association, […]

Mercator Ocean International Launches Project to Enhance Ocean Prediction in Africa

Mercator Ocean and the European Commission’s department for international partnerships (DG INTPA) are launching the OPERA (Ocean Prediction Enhancement in Regions of Africa) project. Work is now underway on this ambitious initiative that will strengthen African Ocean prediction capabilities and foster cooperation at national, regional, and pan-African levels. OPERA aims to develop fit-for-purpose forecasting services, […]

Space and Ocean Dialogue: Pushing for a Perfect Match

Insights from the EU Space Conference by Pierre Bahurel, Director General of Mercator Ocean Mercator Ocean International joined Europe’s vibrant space community in Brussels last month for the European Space Conference. I was delighted to be there to sign a Partnership Agreement with Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA). We have […]

European Ocean Days 2025

The European Ocean Days 2025 have officially started in Brussels! This key event gathers experts and policymakers to discuss major maritime topics, from the sustainable blue economy to EU Ocean policy frameworks. This year, the event plays a crucial role in shaping the European Commission’s upcoming Ocean Pact. Mercator Ocean International will be at the […]

European Space Agency and Mercator Ocean International Sign Partnership Agreement to Reinforce EU Space and Digital Ocean Collaboration

On January 28, 2025, at the 17th European Space Conference in Brussels, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Mercator Ocean International initiated a critical Space & Ocean Dialogue, marking a significant step towards strengthening collaboration in ocean preservation and Earth observation. The dialogue, taking place several months before the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, aims […]

European Space Agency and Mercator Ocean International Sign Partnership Agreement to Reinforce EU Space and Digital Ocean Collaboration and Respond to Global Ocean Challenges

On January 28, 2025, at the 17th European Space Conference in Brussels, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Mercator Ocean International initiated a critical Space & Ocean Dialogue, marking a significant step towards strengthening collaboration in ocean preservation and Earth observation. The dialogue, taking place several months before the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, aims […]

SEACLIM Project Kicks Off to Progress Climate Predictions for European Seas

Mercator Ocean International is coordinating a new 4-year (2025-2028) European project funded by the European Union HORIZON programme, to forecast the future of our regional seas, marking a strategic expansion from its current forecasting expertise into decadal predictions and long-term climate projections. SEACLIM (European SEAs CLIMate impact prediction through regional models) aims to provide crucial […]

Assessing the Ocean in 2024

A recap of the main highlights of the year for sea surface temperature, marine heatwave events and sea ice extent and volume. Ocean Temperature Sea Surface Temperature The mean sea surface temperature (SST) across the global ocean was higher than any previous year from January to July 2024, resulting in an annual mean of 20.95°C […]