​​MarTWIN – Maritime Digital Twin of the Ericeira Coast​

Summary

MarTWIN is developing a maritime digital twin of the Ericeira coast, combining real-time ocean observations with advanced numerical modelling and underwater acoustics. Focused on the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve and surrounding coastal environment, the project will provide accessible data on waves, ocean conditions and underwater sound to support marine conservation, coastal management, research and recreational ocean users.​

Overall Budget

74.776,91€

blueOASIS Budget

37.388,46€ (50% co-funded by MAR2030)​

Introduction

The Ericeira coastline combines exceptional environmental, social and economic value. Home to Europe’s first World Surfing Reserve, the area supports surfing, fisheries, tourism and marine biodiversity, while also facing emerging challenges related to climate change, coastal management and future offshore renewable-energy developments.

MarTWIN addresses these challenges by developing a maritime digital twin of the Ericeira coastal environment. The project combines real-time in-situ monitoring with numerical modelling, artificial intelligence and cloud-based data services, creating a continuously updated digital representation of local ocean conditions.

blueOASIS is responsible for developing and integrating the monitoring and digital-twin technologies. The project builds on the company’s capabilities in underwater acoustics, ocean engineering, artificial intelligence and high-performance numerical modelling. Its monitoring systems collect environmental and acoustic information that can be processed and made available through a cloud-based platform.

The digital twin will integrate these observations with coastal wave modelling and underwater acoustic modelling, including technologies developed through Reef3D and RAINDROP. This will support applications ranging from high-resolution wave information for the surfing community to marine environmental monitoring and the establishment of an acoustic baseline ahead of potential offshore wind developments.

MarTWIN also has a strong public-engagement component. Project information and selected data will be made accessible to the community, while an installation at the Ericeira Tourism Office will bring the underwater soundscape closer to residents and visitors. Ultimately, MarTWIN aims to demonstrate how real-time ocean data and digital twins can support better-informed, sustainable management of valuable coastal environments.

Key outcomes:

• ​​Real-time coastal monitoring network supporting the collection of oceanographic and underwater acoustic data;
• Maritime digital twin of the Ericeira coast, integrating field observations with predictive numerical models;
• High-resolution coastal wave modelling supporting the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve and its users;
• Underwater acoustic baseline and RAINDROP modelling supporting marine conservation and future environmental assessment;
• Cloud-based access to selected MarTWIN data, supporting researchers, public authorities, local stakeholders and the wider community;
• Public engagement in Ericeira, including an immersive system enabling visitors to experience the local underwater soundscape.​

Programme

​​MAR2030 – MAR2030-2024-30, Execution of Local Development Strategies​

Project

MAR-031.2.1-FEAMPA-00129

Funded by

​​MAR2030 / European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF/FEAMPA) and Portuguese national funding​