Cerulean Information Factory: Satellite Data Supporting a Green and Blue Transition

Polar View

Polar View is an international organisation specialising in satellite-based monitoring of the polar regions and global marine environments. With extensive expertise in delivering operational services, Polar View supports users in addressing environmental and climate-related challenges through Earth observation.

The challenge

Climate change calls for a fundamental transformation of our economies and societies. The global push toward a low-carbon, circular, and nature-positive economy—known as the Green Transition—must be supported by reliable data and decision-support tools, especially in vulnerable regions such as the Arctic and North Atlantic. The challenge lies in helping public and private actors plan and operate in ways that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable, across sectors including maritime transport, renewable energy, and aquaculture.

The satellite solution

The Cerulean Information Factory (CIF), led by Polar View and funded by ESA, co-develops user-driven services that draw on satellite data, particularly from the Copernicus Marine Service, to support decision-making in three key sectors:

  • Shipping: A route optimisation tool combining ocean and ice data with IMO CII metrics to improve safety and reduce emissions.
  • Offshore renewables: A toolkit using historical and seasonal ocean data to assess site suitability and operational risk for wind, wave, and tidal energy.
  • Aquaculture: A service integrating Copernicus and meteorological data to support site selection and risk monitoring, including water quality indicators.

The results

CIF delivers operational geospatial services that make satellite data accessible and actionable for end users. Key outcomes include:

  • Shipping: A route optimisation tool that integrates Copernicus ocean and ice data with IMO CII metrics to help reduce fuel use, lower emissions, and improve safety in ice-prone waters.
  • Offshore renewable energy: A toolkit providing user-defined indicators based on historical and seasonal ocean conditions to assess energy potential and operational risks for wind, wave, and tidal energy projects.
  • Aquaculture: A service combining Copernicus and meteorological data to support site selection and risk monitoring, including early warnings for events like harmful algal blooms.