Malta has officially entered a new phase of ocean monitoring and research with the launch of BLUE (the Buoy for Long-term Underwater Exploration). This floating laboratory is anchored 3.7 kilometres off the Grand Harbour. It is Malta’s first fixed ocean sensing platform and represents a major national investment in environmental observation infrastructure.
The observatory was launched on 4 July 2025 during an event coordinated by the , within the Department of Geosciences. The event brought together key figures in marine and environmental governance, including Minister Miriam Dalli, Rector Prof. Alfred Vella, the ex-commissioner Karmenu Vella, and senior representatives from the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), Energy and Water Agency (EWA), Transport Malta, Ambjent Malta, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), and other national stakeholders. Following keynote speeches, guests boarded an AFM patrol vessel to visit the buoy at sea and observe it in operation.
Equipped with high-precision sensors, the buoy is capable of collecting real-time data on wind, wave conditions, ocean currents, and water column properties such as temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and carbon dioxide. The system transmits fresh measurements every ten minutes to the University of Malta, where the data is processed and disseminated both nationally and internationally. The buoy’s sensor payloud is mounted on a motorised winch capable of profiling down to 85 metres, enabling comprehensive monitoring from the surface to the seabed.
One of the most impactful outcomes of the initiative is the development of a public online platform managed by the University of Malta at .
This site features live, interactive charts displaying marine and atmospheric data and allows users to explore trends over time. The interface also includes an auto generated AI bulletin, which automatically translates the latest 24-hour data into accessible language for non-experts. Whether users are scientists, students, policymakers, or members of the public, the portal provides timely insights into coastal conditions around Malta.
The platform is used by ERA, EWA, and other public bodies for marine assessments and reporting obligations under EU directives such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and Water Framework Directive (WFD). International organisations also benefit from the shared data, which improves numerical models, weather forecasts, and satellite-derived observations.
BLUE was deployed under Action C.16 of the LIFE-IP RBMP Project, that is led by EWA with ERA as a key partner. The initiative is part of a broader push to enhance Malta’s environmental monitoring capabilities, supported by a €17 million investment co-financed by the EU LIFE Programme. The buoy itself is operated and maintained by Department of Geosciences, with contributions from Dr Adam Gauci, Ms Audrey Zammit, and Mr David Ramirez. Prof. Alan Deidun, coordinator of the Oceanography Malta Research Group and Malta’s Ambassador for the Ocean, has also been instrumental in advancing the University’s efforts in marine science and national ocean observing initiatives.
The deployment of BLUE is the result of extensive collaboration between the University of Malta and key public institutions, including , , , the , the , and the . This multi-agency effort was vital to the platform’s successful implementation.
The University of Malta continues to play an active role in regional marine science, supporting research, technology development, and environmental stewardship in collaboration with national and international partners. With the multi-parametric buoy now operational, Malta has strengthened its capacity to monitor and better understand marine and coastal conditions.
