The new phase of the EMODnet Data Ingestion Service is moving from preparation into active engagement with organisations that collect or hold marine in situ data. Its purpose is practical: to help valuable datasets that are not yet reaching established European data flows become discoverable, accessible and reusable through EMODnet.
A consortium connecting technical and engagement expertise
The service is coordinated by the CMCC Foundation. VLIZ and ETT lead the operation and technical evolution of Data Ingestion, including submission pathways, connections with trusted repositories, machine-to-machine transfers and progress tracking. The +ATLANTIC CoLAB and CMCC coordinate stakeholder engagement, outreach, communication and capacity building, while BIP-COGEA and Witteveen+Bos focus on data generated through coastal and offshore licensing. CNR-ISMAR, ICES, NOW Systems, CTN, GTK and CETMAR contribute specialist expertise across marine data infrastructures, thematic domains and provider communities.
Potential contributors do not need to navigate this landscape alone. The Ingestion team can help data holders understand whether their datasets are relevant, identify the most appropriate pathway for sharing them, clarify requirements related to formats, metadata, quality and licensing, and connect them with suitable repositories or EMODnet thematic domains.
Depending on the dataset and pathway, contributing can support wider discoverability, standardisation, long-term preservation and reuse across research, policy, environmental management and the blue economy. It can also help ensure that data providers receive appropriate recognition for their contributions.
Starting conversations where data holders meet
The consortium has begun presenting these opportunities in forums where prospective providers are already active. At the MedBlueTech Summit in Alicante on 30 September 2026, Patrick Gorringe (CMCC) delivered the opening keynote on European environmental data policies and the blue economy. The event brought together public authorities, researchers, technology providers and industry representatives, providing an initial opportunity to discuss how marine data can support environmental monitoring and sustainable activities.
More recently, Kate Larkin, Head of the EMODnet Secretariat at Seascape Belgium, joined Gorringe in presenting EMODnet and the Data Ingestion Service to the Ocean Decade Corporate Data Group. Established jointly by Fugro and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the group works to advance frameworks and good practices for making privately held ocean data publicly accessible. Together, participation in MedBlueTech and engagement with the Corporate Data Group have demonstrated the value of targeted outreach and existing industry networks for connecting EMODnet with industry stakeholders, identifying privately held marine datasets and exploring opportunities to contribute them through EMODnet Ingestion.
Start a conversation
Does your organisation collect marine environmental or human-activities data that are not yet available through EMODnet? This may include data from business operations, monitoring programmes, research and innovation projects, licensing requirements, citizen science or emerging observing systems.
You do not need to have the submission pathway fully defined before contacting us. Send the EMODnet Data Ingestion team a brief description of your organisation and data, and we will help identify the most appropriate next step.
Contact: helpdesk@emodnet.ec.europa.eu
