Last November, during our Steering Committee meeting in Brest, EurOcean had the distinct pleasure of visiting DATARMOR, the cutting-edge supercomputing and data infrastructure operated by Ifremer. We were warmly hosted by Benoit Morin, an engineer specialising in artificial intelligence and scientific computing, representing the brilliant team behind this remarkable facility.
Centre Datarmor, le super-calculateur dédié à l'Océan.
Crédit : Ifremer, Jérémy Barrault
Ocean science today produces ever-growing volumes of complex data, ranging from high-resolution satellite imagery and physico-chemical measurements to autonomous platforms, gliders, and in-situ sensors. Transforming this wealth of information into actionable knowledge requires not only scientific expertise but also computing infrastructure capable of handling immense data volumes and running sophisticated models. DATARMOR fulfils this role, providing Europe’s ocean research community with an advanced high-performance computing (HPC) and data storage platform entirely dedicated to the sea.
Located at the Centre Ifremer Bretagne in Plouzané, DATARMOR is France’s only supercomputer fully devoted to oceanography, and its modernised infrastructure offers scientists unprecedented computational power and storage capacity. Originally deployed in 2017 to succeed the earlier CAPARMOR system, DATARMOR has since evolved to accommodate the growing scale and complexity of marine research, enabling projects that would otherwise be impossible on standard computing systems. (bfmtv.com)
Enabling Scientific Excellence Across Europe
DATARMOR’s capabilities support high-resolution ocean modelling, long-term environmental monitoring, and AI-driven data analysis. Researchers can simulate coastal hydrodynamics, study biogeochemical cycles, and analyse satellite and in-situ data in integrated workflows, providing new insights into ocean dynamics, climate change, and marine ecosystems. This aligns perfectly with EurOcean’s strategic goal of promoting scientific excellence, offering a platform that empowers European researchers to push the boundaries of ocean knowledge.
Beyond its technical capabilities, DATARMOR is a hub for knowledge sharing and collaboration. By facilitating access to high-quality data and modelling resources, the infrastructure encourages partnerships across institutions, supports multi-disciplinary projects, and strengthens connections within Europe’s ocean science network. For EurOcean members, this represents not just access to advanced infrastructure, but opportunities to engage in collaborative research, co-develop modelling tools, and leverage AI applications for innovative scientific discovery.
Supporting Policy, Outreach, and Sustainability
The facility also plays a key role in policy support. Its capacity to generate high-resolution, evidence-based data enables scientists to provide robust insights to policymakers, informing decisions on marine management, climate mitigation, and ocean governance. Furthermore, DATARMOR’s resources can be used to develop interactive visualisations, open-access datasets, and modelling tools for educators and citizen scientists, directly supporting EurOcean’s commitment to outreach and engagement.
Sustainability is at the heart of DATARMOR’s design. The supercomputer combines high-performance architecture with energy-efficient cooling and operational practices, demonstrating that cutting-edge science can coexist with responsible resource use. This reflects EurOcean’s emphasis on promoting sustainable research practices, where the environmental footprint of science is considered alongside scientific outputs.
Opportunities for the EurOcean Network
For EurOcean members, the visit highlighted not only the capabilities of DATARMOR but also the opportunities it generates for the network. Members can access advanced computational resources for collaborative projects, develop innovative AI and modelling workflows, and contribute to data-driven scientific outputs that inform both research and policy. Additionally, training opportunities for early-career scientists and engineers can strengthen skills across Europe’s oceanographic community, fostering collaboration and capacity-building in line with EurOcean’s strategic priorities.
The visit clearly demonstrated that DATARMOR is more than a computing centre — it is a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable scientific progress. By combining state-of-the-art technology with a commitment to energy efficiency, accessibility, and partnership, it represents a model for how Europe can empower its ocean research community while promoting responsible, inclusive, and forward-looking approaches to marine science.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Benoit Morin and the Ifremer team for their hospitality and for sharing their vision. This visit reinforced the value of connecting people, data, and technology, and we look forward to exploring future collaborations and opportunities that DATARMOR offers to the EurOcean network.