Priority Innovation Actions
As part of the ESA Atlantic Maritime Innovation Clusters initiative, the Priority Innovation Actions represent focused, user-driven pilots designed to accelerate the adoption of Earth Observation (EO) within key sectors of the Blue Economy.
Defined through direct stakeholder engagement across maritime industries, research centres, and innovation clusters, these pilots respond to clearly articulated market needs identified through the EO4MI capability mapping and consultation process. Each action explores how combining EO data, in-situ monitoring, and advanced analytics can generate new, high-value information services supporting sustainable ocean management and operational performance.
The current innovation priorities address three areas of strategic importance to the Atlantic region and beyond:
- Ecosystem Monitoring for Natural Capital Services – using EO to quantify, value, and protect coastal ecosystems and their blue carbon potential.
- Enhanced Metocean Forecasting Services – integrating EO with in-situ and model data to improve ocean forecasts, resolution, and reliability.
- Maritime Security and Resilience Applications – leveraging EO and AI technologies to strengthen maritime domain awareness, disaster preparedness, and environmental protection.
Together, these pilots demonstrate how space-based innovation, enabled through ESA and regional cluster collaboration, can translate advanced EO capability into practical solutions for a sustainable and secure maritime future.
Ecosystem Monitoring for Natural Capital
Mapping, valuing, and protecting our coastal ecosystems
Earth Observation and autonomous sensing come together to monitor blue carbon habitats, enabling faster, lower-cost assessments of ecosystem health and natural capital value.
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Enhances monitoring for natural capital services
Building the evidence base for blue carbon and coastal resilience
Coastal ecosystems such as saltmarshes, seagrass meadows, kelp and mangrove forests deliver vital natural capital benefits - carbon sequestration, flood protection, and biodiversity support. Yet traditional monitoring approaches are expensive and limited in scale.
This pilot combines satellite Earth Observation, autonomous platforms, and crowd-sourced data to produce more frequent, high-resolution assessments of coastal ecosystem health. By integrating EO and in-situ data into ecosystem models and digital twins, it enables better tracking of habitat change, degradation risks, and restoration potential.
Focus areas:
- Enhanced mapping and monitoring of blue carbon ecosystems
- Forecasting of ecosystem trends using habitat digital twins
- Integration of EO and in-situ observations for natural capital valuation
- Support for sustainable investment and coastal protection strategies
The outcome will be cost-effective, transparent data services to support blue carbon accounting, habitat management, and natural capital policy frameworks across the Atlantic region.
Enhanced Metocean Forecasting Services
Sharper insights for safer, smarter marine operations
Integrating EO data, in-situ sensors, and advanced models to deliver next-generation ocean forecasts - improving safety, efficiency, and environmental protection.
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Enhanced Metocean Forecasting Services
Driving safer, smarter and more sustainable marine operations
Accurate and timely knowledge of ocean conditions - waves, wind, tides, and currents - underpins the success of offshore energy, shipping, and marine infrastructure operations. Current metocean services can lack resolution, accuracy, or quantified uncertainty, limiting their operational reliability.
This pilot explores how EO-derived observations, autonomous sensing platforms, and advanced modelling can be assimilated to deliver next-generation forecasting services. These services improve efficiency, reduce risk, and support decision-making in real time.
Focus areas:
- Improved forecast resolution and accuracy using EO and in-situ data fusion
- Enhanced route optimisation, vessel safety, and operational planning
- Pollution drift and dispersion modelling for environmental protection
- Quantified uncertainty for risk-based decision support
By linking Copernicus data and digital twin technologies with industry applications, this pilot aims to redefine how metocean intelligence supports the Blue Economy.
Maritime Security and Resilience Applications
Strengthening awareness, response, and preparedness at sea
AI-enhanced Earth Observation services for vessel detection, pollution tracking, and coastal hazard forecasting - supporting a safer and more resilient Blue Economy.
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Maritime Security and Resilience Applications
Enhanced situational awareness and operational readiness through EO
From illegal fishing and oil spills to severe storms and coastal hazards, maritime resilience increasingly depends on the ability to monitor, predict, and respond to dynamic ocean conditions. Earth Observation provides the global perspective and rapid data delivery needed to strengthen security and environmental preparedness.
This innovation area builds on ESA and Horizon Europe initiatives such as AI4COPSEC, EURMARS, and Destination Earth, demonstrating how EO, AI/ML analytics, and digital twins can improve awareness, prevention, and response across the maritime domain.
Focus areas:
- Vessel detection and anomaly monitoring for maritime security
- Real-time EO integration for oil spill and pollution response
- EO-enabled early warning systems for coastal flooding and extreme weather
- Resilience planning through digital twin simulations and scenario modelling
These EO-driven security and resilience applications strengthen Europe’s ability to protect maritime assets, safeguard the environment, and support rapid response to emerging ocean risks - ensuring a safer and more sustainable Atlantic region.
Together, these pilots demonstrate how space-based innovation, enabled through ESA and regional cluster collaboration, can translate advanced EO capability into practical solutions for a sustainable and secure maritime future.
