Ocean observing systems at risk
A new interactive report emphasises that oceans remain under-observed with 15 times fewer data points collected from over sea than land
As 2025 ended, a new interactive report warned that vital ocean observing systems could be at risk without increased investment and stronger engagement with the private sector. The GOOS Status Report 2025 highlighted global efforts to strengthen the capacity to monitor the ocean, adapt to a changing climate, improve operational services, and safeguard ocean health - all of which underpin sustainable ocean economies and the safety and wellbeing of societies worldwide.
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, coordinates the global network of sustained ocean observations. There is growing awareness of the importance of this infrastructure for understanding climate change, from improving predictions of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation - a major ocean current system influencing global climate - to enhancing El Niño forecasts.
“Without a resilient and coordinated global observing system, the information we rely on every day becomes uncertain, and so does our future,” said Vidar Helgesen, IOC Executive Secretary, on the release of the report in November 2025.
Oceans remain under-observed, with 15 times fewer data points collected from over sea than over land to predict the weather worldwide. Even when there are systems in place, coverage is uneven, drifting buoy and ship-based observations are declining, and the system relies heavily on a small number of contributors.
The report calls for long-term, coordinated investment to secure a resilient and future-ready observing system.
“Faced with the fragility of the observing system and the constraints of decreasing budgets, we must innovate through stronger partnerships. This is why we are deepening our collaboration with the shipping industry – to harness the potential of these new partners and expand the automation and scale of ship-based observations,” stated Mathieu Belbeoch, OceanOPS Manager.
10,000 Ships for the Ocean
One concrete response to these challenges is already underway. In summer 2025, the 10,000 Ships for the Ocean initiative was launched at the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, designed to scale-up ship-based ocean observations. Pulling together international organisations, governments, scientists, and private sector leaders, the initiative’s mission is to equip 10,000 commercial vessels with meteorological and oceanographic sensors to collect critical ocean data by 2035.
Vast areas of the global ocean remain poorly monitored, creating major gaps in our understanding of ocean and climate systems. Yet accurate, timely, and sustained ocean data is essential to address climate change, improve maritime safety, strengthen early warning systems, and support sustainable development.
By transforming commercial vessels into real-time ocean observatories, the initiative will help close observation gaps, especially in under-sampled regions. This public-private partnership should create a more resilient, sustainable basis for long-term sustained ocean observations.
“Industry has a vital role to play in building the critical and sustainable global ocean observing system that will provide the information humanity needs for the future,” said Joanna Post, GOOS Director and head of the Ocean Observations and Services Section at IOC at the Nice launch event.
Over 1,000 ships have already been pledged, with support from leading shipping firms MSC, Maersk, SMT, Höegh Autoliners, Brittany Ferries, DS Norden and Alcatel Submarine Networks.
IMarEST is proud to be part of efforts to improve ocean observation and will be a partner and exhibitor at Oceanology International 2026, to be held in London between 10-12 March.
Members interested in learning more about ocean observation should also check out opportunities at IMarEST’s Journal of Operational Oceanography.
Image: weather buoy on the surface of a calm sea. Credit: Shutterstock.