Symposium: Maritime research and operational oceanography – AI, fleets and long-term observation

Summary

Report of the round table on marine scientific research held at the Symposium of European Marine Academies in Marseille in March 2025. Moderated by Alain Bovis, it brought together Vincent Rigaud (Ifremer), Paulo Martins Gonçalves (Hydrographic Institute of Portugal) and Christian Tamburini (CNRS) on ocean observation, the oceanographic fleet, technological innovation and the structuring of operational oceanography.

General information

• Event title: Maritime scientific research (Theme 5) / Symposium on contemporary ocean issues
• Organiser: Académie de marine
• Date: 25 and 26 March 2025
• Venue: Marseille, École nationale supérieure maritime (ENSM) and CMA CGM’s TANGRAM Center
• Moderator: Alain Bovis
• Theme: The issues, challenges and resources of maritime scientific research; scientific and technological advances serving the knowledge, protection and sustainable use of the oceans.
• Summary written by: Deep Blue

Presentation of the symposium

The round table, organised by the Académie de marine and moderated by Alain Bovis, addressed the place of ocean science in the face of today’s major challenges, the structuring of operational oceanography, technological capabilities and the French fleet, innovation (AUVs, ROVs, USVs, AI), science diplomacy and international cooperation. The main presentations were given by Vincent Rigaud (Ifremer), Paulo Martins Gonçalves (Hydrographic Institute of Portugal) and Christian Tamburini (CNRS), with a contribution from Pasquine Albertini (Green Marine Europe) and a technical presentation by Jean‑Marc Philip (Minway) on the SIBOB device. The discussions with the audience covered the relationship between science and society, the governance and funding of fleets, the decarbonisation of uses, ships of opportunity, and the complementarity of private and public initiatives. Alain Bovis opened and closed the session, setting out structuring recommendations for the UNOC and European oceanography.

Participants

• Moderator
• Alain BOVIS — General armament engineer, former President of the Académie de marine
• Speakers
• Vincent RIGAUD — Director of Ifremer’s Mediterranean centre; Deputy Scientific Director of Ifremer; Director of the Atlantic centre (successive introductions)
• Paulo Martins GONÇALVES — Deputy Director and Financial Director, Hydrographic Institute of Portugal
• Christian TAMBURINI — CNRS Research Director, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO); Scientific Officer at CNRS INSU
• Pasquine ALBERTINI — Green Marine Europe (NGO)
• Jean‑Marc PHILIP — Minway company (SIBOB devices)
• Other participants
• Gilles BESSERO — Académie de marine
• A retired seafarer — member of the audience
• Jean MERLY — unidentified participant
• A member of the audience

Report of the presentations

I. Science in danger and the urgent need to mobilise for the ocean

Presentation by Alain BOVIS, general armament engineer, former President of the Académie de marine

Alain Bovis opens the session by warning of the weakening of science and by placing the ocean at the heart of the responses to the planet’s major challenges.

A. Three threats to contemporary science

Bovis identifies three threats: science being called into question by part of public opinion, where “emotion takes precedence over reason”; a crisis of vocations, with recruitment difficulties in scientific and technical fields; and the emergence of an “anti‑science crusade” within the world’s greatest power. He concludes that a firm discourse and institutional mobilisation are needed.

B. The ocean, pivot of climate, energy, food and biodiversity issues

He states that science is essential to understand the climate trajectory, to inventory and characterise ocean resources (living, energy, mineral) and to assess their fragility. The ocean, key to climate regulation and a reservoir of biodiversity, requires high-level observation and modelling.

C. Ambitious and cooperative programmes: in situ and digital observation

Drawing on the Académie de marine study “Cross-cutting issues of research and operational oceanography”, Bovis stresses the complementarity between modelling and in situ observation. He calls for planetary observation programmes integrating space, oceanographic fleets, drones and AI, driven by international cooperation, with priority given to Europe. He announces structuring recommendations to which he will return in his conclusion.

II. Ifremer serving action: missions, innovation and science diplomacy

Presentation by Vincent RIGAUD, Deputy Scientific Director of Ifremer; Director of Ifremer’s Mediterranean and Atlantic centres

Vincent Rigaud presents Ifremer, its missions, its infrastructure and its priorities, linking research, expertise, innovation and data sharing.

A. Institutional positioning and strategic aims

Rigaud recalls that Ifremer is the only French organisation entirely dedicated to marine research, accounting for a quarter of national oceanographic research and operating major infrastructure, notably the French Oceanographic Fleet (FOF). Its three aims: sustainable management of resources (living, mineral, marine renewable energy); protection and restoration of ecosystems through observation networks; and data sharing in the era of the digital ocean and digital twins, thanks to the Brest supercomputer. He quotes Annick Girardin: “It is good to count the fish […] what interests me is counting the fishermen in 10 years’ time”, highlighting the need for predictive modelling.

B. Expertise for public policy: Extraplac, monitoring and fisheries

He illustrates the support provided to the authorities:

• Extension of the continental shelf (Extraplac, 2014‑2021), mobilising the fleet and geosciences.
• Monitoring of the marine environment (WFD) for eutrophication, chemical contamination and litter.
• Annual assessment of fish populations to inform fishing quotas.

Objective: to move from static assessment to ecosystem modelling in order to “act for the ocean”.

C. Deep-sea innovations: Ulyx, onboard AI, defence duality

Rigaud describes the French fleet: crewed submersibles, AUVs, ROVs. He highlights the Ulyx AUV (down to 6,000 m), equipped with onboard AI capable of analysing sonar data, identifying areas of interest and replanning its mission autonomously. Dual-use defence applications: seabed surveillance and protection of submarine cables. Digital restitution tools (3D reconstruction of wrecks) foster scientific “re‑immersion”.

D. Knowledge sharing and diplomacy: One Ocean Science

He stresses openness and data sharing, which are key to digital twins. He announces the One Ocean Science congress in Nice (co‑organised with the CNRS), expecting nearly 1,800 participants and the formulation of some ten scientific recommendations for decision-makers, covering ecosystem restoration, climate, plastic pollution and integrative digital systems. He conveys the apologies of François Houllier, busy preparing this conference.

Exchange with the audience: France’s position and the rationalisation of resources

• Question from a member of the audience on France’s “ranking” in deep-sea capabilities and the rationalisation of Ifremer/CNRS/Portugal.
• Rigaud replies: France is in the world’s “top 5” for crewed diving, probably second behind China; it has the Nautile (6,000 m) and leading AUV/USV manufacturers; it has less equipment in number than the United States but is well endowed relative to the size of its community (2,500–3,000 researchers). He highlights civil-military duality (the example of Woods Hole in the United States) and justifies the strategic retention of the Nautile as a “flagship” for 10 years. He warns about the cuts at NOAA (1,800 posts), which could affect the Argo network (4,000 floats, half operated by the United States), with impacts on T/S data within 3–5 years. He sees no obvious source of savings in a reorganisation of French institutions, considering that the collaborations work well.

III. Hydrography in the S‑100 era: standards, observation and AI for a unified ocean

Presentation by Paulo Martins GONÇALVES, Deputy Director and Financial Director, Hydrographic Institute of Portugal

Paulo Martins Gonçalves sets out a forward-looking vision of hydrography, centred on standardisation (S‑100), observation technologies and international cooperation.

A. A global approach to the ocean and a call to explore the deep

Gonçalves recalls that the ocean is a connected entity; only a quarter of the ocean floor is mapped at high resolution, mostly in coastal areas. He calls for exploring the deep ocean and building a sustainable and open global observing system, based on cooperative research, in order to achieve the SDGs, blue growth and the preservation of ecosystems.

B. From S‑57 to S‑100: towards dynamic 3D charts

With S‑57 becoming obsolete, the IHO is developing the S‑100 standard, a versatile framework allowing dynamic three-dimensional representation. A high-resolution 3D depth model is overlaid on the chart, integrating real-time data (tides), so that the navigator sees the seabed as if flying over it, increasing the safety and precision of navigation.

C. Sensors, autonomous platforms and AI: processing ocean big data

He categorises the technologies:

• Surface: buoys, aerial drones, satellites.
• Water column: profilers, AUVs, gliders.
• Seabed: “smart cable” networks, autonomous stations.

USVs promise safer, faster and more sustainable operations. The explosion of data requires open standards, computing and storage capacity, and the use of big data and AI. An international survey confirms the rapid emergence of AI in marine geosciences and hydrography.

Response to a question about Macao

• To Jean Merly, who asks about Portuguese research in Macao, Gonçalves replies: “Macao is not the time.”
• In another exchange, he recommends developing “simple and safe” research, considering current research too public and not secure enough in the face of adversaries who “change the rules of the game”.

IV. Observing to understand and protect: French infrastructure, FAIR data and a framework of trust

Presentation by Christian TAMBURINI, CNRS Research Director (MIO); Scientific Officer at CNRS INSU

Christian Tamburini argues for long-term, open and reliable observation, anchored in national and European infrastructure, to feed models and public action.

A. Ecosystem services and threats: an ocean under pressure

Tamburini recalls France’s vast maritime domain and the mobilisation of the CNRS, notably through the CNRS “Océan et Mers” research network (GDR OMER) (more than a thousand scientists, with disciplines including economics and sociology). He distinguishes provisioning, supporting, cultural and regulating services. The ocean contains 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere and has absorbed more than 30% of anthropogenic CO₂ since the industrial era; the total value of its services is estimated at more than 29,500 billion dollars per year, higher than US GDP. These services are heavily threatened by pollution, overfishing and maritime traffic.

B. Long-term observation and record rises in surface temperatures

He highlights record surface temperatures in 2023, 2024 and 2025, signs that ecosystems are “suffering”. Protection policies require long series of robust data, collected by the CNRS, Ifremer and IRD, using floats, gliders, new sensors and space observation (SWOT). He places these efforts within the Ocean Decade and the UNOC in Nice (June 2025), against a backdrop of international uncertainty in which climate sciences are weakened, notably in the United States.

C. Infrastructure: Fr-OOS, MOOSE, EMSO‑LO, ships of opportunity

Tamburini presents the French Ocean Observing System (Fr-OOS), the counterpart of EuroGOOS/GOOS, and several infrastructures:

• MOOSE (north-western Mediterranean, since 2010): +0.5 °C in intermediate waters (200–400 m) in 15 years.
• EMSO‑LO (cabled site at 2,500 m off Toulon): a marked decline in oxygen since 2014 linked to the absence of deep convection; innovative tools (BathyBot robot, BathyReef reef) to study deep-sea biodiversity.
• Ships of opportunity: in addition to the FOF, the SNO SSS collects sea surface salinity data worldwide.

He stresses the role of the FOF as an indispensable base and warns of a “8 million euro” deficit for the French fleet over the past four years.

D. From data to models: FAIR principles and a framework of trust

Data feed digital twins; without constant forcing by robust observations, models produce “limited realism”. Tamburini champions the FAIR principles and stresses trust: the scientific community must guarantee quality, relevance and interpretation, which requires an “organisational revolution” serving society.

Exchanges and positions on partnerships, ethics and funding

• Tamburini considers science‑industry partnerships necessary, while acknowledging greater ethical sensitivities in environmental/climate sciences. He considers relations with NGOs “perhaps not strong enough” and proposes public frameworks to clarify which partnerships are acceptable.
• He expresses a sense of “research bashing” and of pressure on public funding, arguing for ring-fencing fundamental research and maintaining the FOF; he advises against funding “flagship projects without a scientific basis”. He sets a limit: CNRS‑Ifremer labels must not be used to “do pseudo‑science” or “ecotourism”, so as to avoid confusing the public.

Response to the question on institutional rationalisation

Tamburini points out that the “E” in Ifremer stands for “Exploitation”, which is not the case for the CNRS; although French research is complex, the remits are clear and collaboration is the norm through Ifremer’s operation of the fleet. He sees no savings to be made by “rationalising” these institutions; the challenge is to increase the national research effort.

V. Environmental certification and multi‑stakeholder governance: towards better-instrumented and decarbonised fleets

Presentation by Pasquine ALBERTINI, Green Marine Europe (NGO)

Pasquine Albertini presents the Green Marine Europe certification and her expectations of UNOC 3, arguing for a dialogue based on trust, reliability, data and co‑construction.

A. Scope and beneficiaries of the certification

For five years, Green Marine Europe has been rolling out an environmental certification dedicated to the European maritime industry. Genavir/Ifremer, Bourbon and CMA CGM are already certified. The standard is open to shipowners and shipyards; it “should very soon be opened to ports”.

B. Governance and indicators, including biodiversity

The standard (11 indicators) is designed with scientists, experts, economic players and institutions, and includes the reduction of underwater noise and the prevention of collisions with cetaceans and of invasive species. Green Marine Europe is now part of Green Marine International.

C. Expectations of UNOC 3 and funding issues

Albertini hopes that UNOC 3 will be a “lever of support and access, of operation or amplification” for collaborative initiatives bringing together institutions, the business world and scientists, in order to consolidate data and produce relevant monitoring frameworks. She questions UNOC 3’s capacity to strengthen this dialogue and highlights two distinct funding needs: scientific research on the one hand, and the environmental transition of industrial maritime activities on the other.

Reactions and framing

• Alain Bovis describes the presentation as “absolutely crucial” and announces that it will feed into the “science‑society” strand of the Académie’s recommendations, with a view to a specific contribution to the UNOC.
• Vincent Rigaud recognises labels as governance instruments, while warning that excessive complexity could hinder action. He supports decarbonising uses (and not only technologies), proposing a move towards smaller, faster and better-instrumented ships, relying on telescience and real-time data sharing; he calls for preserving the attractiveness of the professions so as not to shift entirely to shore-based operations.

VI. Versatile technologies for rescue, surveillance and local science

Presentation by Jean‑Marc PHILIP, Minway company

Jean‑Marc Philip presents the SIBOB, a versatile aquatic propulsion device for rescue, safety, surveillance and scientific uses.

A. Rescue and safety: operational applications

The SIBOB, usable on the surface and underwater, is used by firefighters to recover victims at the surface and at depth; it tows an evacuation stretcher (RS 3) in white water. It has been used by the SNSM (Saint‑Tropez) for interventions on the high seas and by the Marseille Marine Fire Battalion for training. During the Olympic Games, it served as a supervision and protection tool for the gendarmerie, bomb-disposal teams and rescue services, towing a five-tonne barge.

B. Scientific and ecological uses

The SIBOB goes down to 40 m and has been used for inspections under French Navy ships, archaeological research (amphorae at Giens), surveillance and clean-up operations (Bay of Giens) with associations, quickly bringing up nets full of litter. The WWF uses one to approach whales and cetaceans without disturbing them.

VII. Citizen science at sea: ships of opportunity, IoT and maintenance

Presentation by Vincent RIGAUD, Deputy Scientific Director of Ifremer

Following a question from a retired seafarer on systematising data collection by merchant ships (ORSTOM/IRD experiments in the 1990s), Rigaud sets out the state of play and the challenges of instrumenting ships of opportunity.

A. An old principle, cheap communications, but a maintenance obstacle

Equipping commercial or private ships is an old practice; falling communication costs make transmission easier (for example the Ferry Box between Corsica and the mainland). The main obstacle remains the maintenance and calibration of instruments, a condition for data quality on a large scale.

B. Covering the “blank areas” and densifying observation

While regular routes are better covered, vast oceanic “blank areas” remain. Rigaud is counting on low-cost IoT systems (buoys, gliders, “UFOs”, i.e. unidentified floating objects) and on logistics for the maintenance/qualification of networks. He cites the Kineis constellation (25 nano‑satellites), enabling two-way communications for the IoT at low energy/financial cost.

C. Technological breakthroughs and returns on investment

He recalls the initial Ifremer/CNES investment in CLS (300,000 francs) and its later sale, generating several tens of millions of euros that were reinvested. AI for sensor self-calibration and transparency for the ship operator are levers to remove the obstacles.

VIII. Regular lines, upstream instrumentation and human resources: structuring collaboration

Presentation by Christian TAMBURINI, CNRS Research Director (MIO); Scientific Officer at CNRS INSU

Tamburini adds to Rigaud’s points on ships of opportunity, stressing the recurrence of measurements and industrial anticipation.

A. Recurrence as a scientific value

Regular lines offer a repetition of measurements that is indispensable to national observation services; he sees significant room for progress here.

B. Instrumenting from construction

Installing thermosalinographs, pCO₂ sensors or even cytometers requires modifications (drilling through the hull). He recommends integrating these needs from the design stage of ships to minimise cost and complexity.

C. Maintenance and reliability: a human resources issue

Large-scale deployment requires engineers, researchers and technicians to maintain the equipment and make it reliable. The balance between multiplying sensors and maintenance capacity is central.

IX. General discussion with the audience

A. Foundation initiatives and complementarity with public schemes

• Question from Gilles Bessero on “Tara Polar Station” (Tara Ocean Foundation) and “Polar Pod” (Jean‑Louis Étienne): complements to or competitors of Ifremer/CNRS and the FOF, and what of public/private funding?

B. Speakers’ responses

• Vincent Rigaud: Ifremer is the construction operator for Polar Pod despite “some difficulties” with the contract; the projects are “complementary” but “do not cover all needs”; they have flagship value and help attract skills. He wonders about their long-term viability (“the project holds as long as Jean‑Louis is there”). Tara is “exemplary” and “complementary”, a vehicle for sustainability; but these projects do not meet all the requirements of observation networks.
• Christian Tamburini: does not comment on the viability of Polar Pod (“whether Polar Pod will ever float or not”). He considers Tara “virtuous”, involving scientists from the outset and aligned with the community’s foresight work; its power of imagery exceeds that of the institutions. He calls for clear budgetary choices, recalling the “8 million euro” deficit for the FOF over the past four years; trade-off between the national fleet and ships of opportunity; AFOF foresight work on decarbonisation and assessment of “unidentified floating objects” with an “ethical assessment framework”. Limit: scientific labels must not be used for “pseudo‑science” or “ecotourism”.

C. Governance, decarbonisation and the attractiveness of the professions

• Vincent Rigaud: “good science” requires “good governance”, an economic model and social acceptability; labels are useful but their complexity must be kept in check. Decarbonising uses: smaller, faster, better-instrumented ships, telescience and real-time sharing; preserving the attractiveness of the professions, “almost as important as decarbonisation”.

D. Ships of opportunity and citizen science: a historical testimony

• A retired seafarer recounts 1990s campaigns (ORSTOM/IRD) on transpacific lines, with probes down to 400 m, satellite transmission and participation that was “free, with enthusiasm”. He asks for this to be systematised on modern fleets (e.g. CMA CGM). The responses of Rigaud and Tamburini are included in parts VII and VIII.

E. Points still under debate

• The relationship between flagship projects (foundations) and the systematic needs of public observation networks.
• Sustainable funding of the FOF in the face of deficits, with support for communication/attractiveness initiatives.
• The extent to which telescience can be deployed without harming attractiveness and field training.
• Institutionalising public and ethical frameworks for science‑industry‑NGO partnerships and “unidentified floating objects”.
• Coverage of “blank areas” vs making the most of the recurrence of shipping lines.

X. Strategic recommendations for the UNOC and European oceanography

Presentation by Alain BOVIS, general armament engineer, former President of the Académie de marine

Alain Bovis concludes by setting out key recommendations for structuring operational oceanography.

A. Defending science and carrying the message to the UNOC

Bovis insists: science must be “defended absolutely”; he hopes that the UNOC will carry a strong message to world leaders.

B. Structuring operational oceanography on the model of meteorology

He calls for continuing the international integration of operational oceanography to the level of meteorology; Copernicus, which grew out of Mercator Océan, is a model to be developed.

C. Interweaving fundamental and operational research; communicating better

He recommends sharing infrastructure and staff between research and operations, and greater communication to the general public about their contributions.

D. Consolidating subsurface observation and developing robotic platforms

Beyond space, Argo must be made permanent and supplemented by non-Lagrangian platforms, remotely operated or autonomous, alone or in swarms.

E. Developing an integrated digital ecosystem

He recommends an integrated international digital system, building on AI, exascale supercomputers and, in time, quantum computing.

General conclusion

The round table of March 2025 highlights:

• Convergences:
• Alain Bovis, Vincent Rigaud, Paulo Martins Gonçalves and Christian Tamburini agree on the centrality of the ocean to climate, energy, food and biodiversity challenges, and on the imperative of robust, long-term, open and reliable observation.
• Technological innovation (AUVs/ROVs/USVs, AI, S‑100 standards, Kineis satellites) and digital twins require quality data and shared governance.
• International cooperation and data sharing are non-negotiable.
• Nuanced divergences:
• Vincent Rigaud insists on covering the “blank areas” with autonomous platforms; Christian Tamburini emphasises the scientific value of recurring measurements along shipping lines and of planning instrumentation from the construction stage.
• On flagship projects (Tara, Polar Pod), Rigaud highlights their complementarity and attractiveness; Tamburini calls for clear budgetary trade-offs and ethical limits, recalling the fragility of the FOF’s funding.
• Open questions:
• Securing and increasing the FOF’s budgets; ring-fencing fundamental research.
• Establishing public and ethical frameworks for science‑industry‑NGO partnerships and the assessment of “unidentified floating objects”.
• Balance between decarbonising uses, telescience and the attractiveness of the professions.
• Stronger structuring of operational oceanography at European level (Copernicus/Mercator model) and integration with fundamental research.

The immediate prospects mentioned include preparing the One Ocean Science congress in Nice (co‑organised with the CNRS), formulating scientific recommendations for decision-makers, consolidating observation networks (Argo, MOOSE, EMSO, SNO SSS, Fr-OOS), deploying autonomous platforms and building an international digital ecosystem integrating AI and high-performance computing. The Académie de marine plans to include a stronger “science‑society” strand in its recommendations to the UNOC, drawing on the proposals made during the session.

Bibliographic information

Type

Conference

Date

March 2025

Author

Deep Blue Foundation

Editor

Deep Blue Foundation

Study Centre

ONS

Original language

French

Original document

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