Understanding the Ocean Like Never Before: Europe’s Digital Twin Ocean Takes Shape

Patrice König
4 days ago
3 min read

What if we could simulate the ocean — test “what if” scenarios, predict the impact of human actions, and make better decisions for the planet?

That’s exactly what the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO) sets out to do — a flagship EU project developing the digital foundation for a virtual ocean that anyone can explore and learn from. EDITO has been positioned as Europe’s main contribution to the UN Ocean Decade’s “Digital Twins of the Ocean” programme.

🌊 What Is EDITO?

EDITO (European Digital Twin Ocean) is building a virtual replica of the ocean — a powerful digital environment that brings together real-world data, advanced models, and artificial intelligence.

Just as meteorologists use simulations to forecast the weather, EDITO will allow scientists, policymakers, and the public to forecast and visualise changes in the ocean — from rising sea levels to pollution spread or shifting marine ecosystems.

This initiative is part of the European Commission’s broader goal to make ocean knowledge more accessible, interactive, and useful for all.

🌍 Why It Matters

The ocean regulates our climate, supports biodiversity, and sustains countless livelihoods — yet it remains one of Earth’s least understood systems. EDITO aims to change that.

By integrating data from satellites, research vessels, sensors, and even citizen science, the European Digital Twin Ocean will help us to...

understand ocean dynamics in unprecedented detail.
predict impacts of climate change and human activity.
test sustainable solutions before applying them in the real world.
empower citizens and decision-makers with open, science-based knowledge.

⚙️ How It Works

EDITO acts as the digital backbone of the European ocean research. It integrates data, models, and computing power through an advanced cloud-based infrastructure.

A central component, the EDITO Data Lake, connects Europe’s two major marine data services — Copernicus Marine Service and EMODnet — allowing seamless access to a vast range of ocean data from a single platform.

In practice, this means users will be able to simulate “what if” scenarios. For example:

How might a coastal region respond to a storm surge?
What are the best routes for low-emission shipping?
How does plastic pollution affect marine life over time?

📈 From Vision to Action: What Has Been Achieved So Far

Between October 2022 and February 2025, two EU-funded sister projects — EDITO-Infra and EDITO-Model Lab — laid the foundation for the digital twin. EDITO-Infra designed the infrastructure capable of integrating ocean data, models, and AI. EDITO-Model Lab developed next-generation numerical models of the ocean.

🚀 What’s Next: Phase Two (2025–2028)

The next phase of EDITO will focus on strengthening and expanding the platform — both technologically and socially.

Key priorities include:

A more powerful and user-friendly interface, with a smart viewer to easily visualise data.
Broader data integration — from biogeochemical and socio-economic datasets to citizen science contributions.
A richer modelling environment, supporting two main tools:
- Focus Applications (FAs): for developers and researchers to create new tools.
- What-if Scenarios (WiS): for policymakers, innovators, and the public to explore real-world questions.
Open calls for scientists and innovators to co-create new applications.
A user support centre to ensure everyone can make the most of EDITO’s capabilities.

💡 Looking Ahead: A Digital Ocean for Everyone

EDITO is designed to evolve into a long-term public European infrastructure, extending well beyond its current project phase.

By 2030, the European Digital Twin Ocean aims to be fully operational — a global benchmark for digital ocean solutions and a vital step toward democratising access to ocean knowledge.

The promise of EDITO goes beyond technology. It’s about transforming how we understand, protect, and live with the ocean — ensuring that everyone, from policymakers to citizens, can make informed choices for a sustainable blue future.