10 000 Ships for the Ocean
World Meteorological Organization
(
Intergovernmental organization
)
#OceanAction58793
Description
Reliable and sustained met-ocean data is the foundation of our ability to understand, protect, and sustainably benefit from the ocean. It supports critical operational services such as weather forecasting, maritime safety, climate monitoring, and emergency response. Yet today, despite scientific and technological advances, vast areas of the ocean remain under-observed, leaving significant gaps in the data that society increasingly depends on.
The global maritime industry, operating across all ocean basins, presents a unique and underexplored opportunity to help close these gaps. By equipping commercial vessels with standardized ocean observing systems, the maritime sector can dramatically enhance the world’s real-time ocean observation capacity.
That’s the vision behind the 10 000 Ships for the Ocean initiative, which calls on the shipping industry and beyond to become a key contributor to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Our shared objective is clear: by 2035, increase commercial ships’ participation in the GOOS, reaching 10 000 vessels providing real-time weather and surface ocean data.
This global effort will generate vital information to enhance forecasts and early warning systems, strengthen ocean and climate models, and support the development of an AI-powered digital ocean. It will also provide the big data essential for a wide range of societal applications — from safer navigation and more efficient routing to long-term environmental stewardship.
To realize this vision, we invite shipping companies and industry partners to engage through a phased approach, beginning with the official launch of the initiative at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. Throughout 2025, we will seek expressions of interest and soft commitments from partners willing to participate in a pilot phase. This initial stage will focus on co-developing the implementation framework, defining stakeholder roles, and mobilizing the necessary resources, including instruments, data analysis capabilities, and coordination mechanisms.
Partners may contribute in ways that align with their capacities and ambitions, whether by committing vessels, financing the procurement and maintenance of observing equipment, or offering in-kind expertise and logistical support. All contributions will adhere to international standards for free and unrestricted data exchange and ensure open access to data and services for all participants.
This initiative is more than a technical project, it is a powerful example of collaboration between industry, science, and society to ensure the ocean, and the atmosphere above it, are properly observed and understood. By stepping forward, the maritime sector can demonstrate its commitment to sustainability while unlocking operational and strategic value.
Our collective Commitment: as partners in the 10 000 Ships for the Ocean initiative, we commit to exploring and supporting the integration of standardized observing systems aboard commercial vessels - contributing to the global effort to expand ocean data for the benefit of all.
• IP Paris
• Ifremer
• IHO
• EUMETNET
• ECMWF
• Mercator Ocean International
• BIMCO
• OceansX
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.c | Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want" |
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Mathieu, Mr