Copernicus Marine Service: achievements, future challenges and long-term evolution

The Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) provides regular and systematic reference information on the physical state, variability and dynamics of the ocean, ice and marine ecosystems for the global ocean and the European regional seas.  The Copernicus Marine Service has run a successful initial phase over the past five years.  Operational capabilities have been demonstrated, user uptake and user base have been steadily increasing and service evolution activities have allowed regular improvements of the products and services provided to users.  CMEMS now serves a wide range of users (more than 21,000 subscribers are registered to the service) and applications (maritime safety, marine resources, coastal and marine environment, weather, seasonal forecast and climate).  An overview of CMEMS achievements will be given and the presentation will highlight the essential role of R&D activities.  CMEMS priorities and scientific challenges for Copernicus 2 (2021-2027) will then be discussed.