Unlocking access to a wealth of data

Beyond navigation, the data sets we hold have the potential to inform a much wider range of decisions that can unlock the full potential of the blue economy. To help make these data sets discoverable, accessible and downloadable to wider users, in 2019 we launched the ADMIRALTY Marine Data Portal: a single access point for a wealth of marine geospatial data from seabed to surface.

While traditionally the users of ADMIRALTY products and services have been mariners, the data we’ve made available will help meet the evolving needs of existing customers, as well as users in new markets. Through the portal, users can not only access extensive data on bathymetry, but also the locations of wrecks, obstructions and offshore infrastructure within the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone – from pipelines to wind turbines. Information on maritime limits, seabed composition and coastlines is also available, along with a range of apps and APIs.

As well as making such a wide range of data available, the portal was created with users’ needs at the forefront. For example, marine information can be easily visualised through interrogable GIS web apps, and data sets can be easily searched and downloaded in a range of formats to suit the user.

The ADMIRALTY Marine Data Portal is also integral to a range of services that support  the development of data management solutions, which are grounded in the principles of Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI). These services provide coastal states and regions with easy access to marine data online, along with the tools to analyse it, without requiring their own IT infrastructure or advanced data management skills. By making accurate marine geospatial data available to coastal states, they can independently explore ways to improve their economies and build resilience to natural disasters.