EO Mag is a newsletter produced by EARSC as part of its new strategy and initiative focused on service to citizens. Pierre Bahurel, Director of Mercator International Ocean (MOi), was interviewed on 28 January 2020 by EO Mag.
EARSC stands for European Association of Remote Sensing Companies. This non-profit association promotes the use of Earth Observation (EO) satellite data and has more than 100 members across Europe.
MOi is the operational centre for ocean monitoring and forecasting and also the implementer of the Copernicus Marine Service for the European Commission.
In order to boost Blue Growth, a partnership was launched in January 2019 in Brussels between MOi and EARSC to promote the widespread use of Copernicus Marine services by EARSC members and to stimulate their interest in the free Copernicus Marine Service data.
During the interview published in the EO Mag, Pierre Bahurel answered different questions about the growing potential of the maritime sector, the services offered by MOi, the support of small remote sensing companies, the latest news and training sessions.
1) A growing potential for the maritime industry
A new environmental strategy is envisaged by the maritime industry sector to adapt to the new environmental directives that take into account climate change. This new dynamic offers a growing potential for the maritime industry.
In order to respond to this need of the industry, the permanent objective of all MOi experts is to continuously promote a virtuous growth of the maritime sector and the operational oceanography field for a sustainable ocean, by providing scientific and technological solutions to the challenges that face society and maritime economy.
2) Mercator Ocean International’s service offer
MOi provides access to ocean data and information describing the physical and biogeochemical characteristics of the European seas and the world ocean.
This European service, the Copernicus Marine Service, is today recognized by thousands of users worldwide as a unique source of up-to-date, reliable and state-of-the-art information.
In addition, in collaboration with EUMETSAT and ECMWF and with the support of industry, the Copernicus WEkEO DIAS platform is also made available to actors in the maritime economy.
3) Mercator Ocean International supports all players in the blue economy.
MOi provides reactive and qualified user support; it is also committed to the general public in order to make them aware of the great challenges that face the ocean ocean and the numerous risks of pollution.
4) Mercator Ocean International in brief
MOi is in constant evolution and is committed to improving its services in the future, to foster virtuous growth in the maritime sector and the field of operational oceanography. MOi now has 9 shareholders to form a multinational governance with the founding shareholders. On November 19, 2019, MOi published the “Blue Book”, to explain to the general public how oceanographic data supports the blue economy and societal challenges.
MOi has also strengthened its partnership strategy with major professional associations to better reach out to the marine and Earth Observation industry.
5) Training and Education
MOi organizes 6 regional training workshops in different European countries. These workshops allow staff to physically meet potential or actual users and to help them with the use of marine products and to develop their applications.
