Pierre Bahurel

Pierre Bahurel is Director-General of Mercator Ocean International, the European centre for ocean monitoring and forecasting, which he founded and has been leading for more than two decades. His work focuses on operational oceanography and the use of space-based observations and advanced modelling to deliver large-scale, mission-driven services.

He has played a central role in the design, development and long-term operation of the Copernicus Marine Service, now adopted by thousands of public and private organisations worldwide, demonstrating the global recognition of European expertise, while ensuring the European Union’s autonomous and sovereign operational capacity for marine environment monitoring.

Under his leadership, Mercator Ocean is transitioning towards an intergovernmental organisation, aiming to support European States with a sustained operational capability for ocean forecasting and digital ocean services. Pierre Bahurel is actively involved in further developments of European digital ocean capacities notably through the piloting of the EU Digital Ocean Twin, at the intersection of space, science and policy.