As a core part of Europe’s marine data infrastructure, EMODnet plays a vital role in building the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO)—a next-generation framework to revolutionise how Europe monitors, models, and manages its ocean and coastal environments. EMODnet is the in situ marine data component of the EU DTO. To deliver this, EMODnet draws upon its expertise in aggregating, harmonising, and delivering it's full offer of multidisciplinary in situ data and data products for 68 parameters - spanning bathymetric, physical, chemical, biological and habitats, geological, and human activities at sea—to power the EU DTO. Through the EDITO-Infra project, EMODnet contributes to the creation of a shared, cloud-based data lake and the development of interoperable, FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data services for next-generation applications.
Beyond data provision, EMODnet bridges fragmented national and regional sources, delivering pan-European marine knowledge essential for accurate, scalable digital ocean models. By enhancing real-time access to high-resolution, multi-thematic data, EMODnet supports dynamic ocean management, the EU Green Deal, the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters, and the broader blue digital transition.
EMODnet delivers the EU DTO in close collaboration with Copernicus Marine Service, together forming a common cloud-based data lake of in situ (EMODnet) and satellite-based (Copernicus Marine) data. Copernicus Marine also provides the modelling capability for the EU DTO.
Progress on the EU DTO is showcased annually at the Digital Ocean Forum, first held in 2022, with editions in 2023 and 2024, and more to come.