In February 2002 the European Centre for Information on Marine Science and Technology is created in result of a joint French-Portuguese initiative.

The Centre cooperates with its Members as well as with the competent structures existing at national and European levels through networking of activities. The financial and technical support of the Centre is provided by the Member and

Participation in EC projects: MarinERA; EUROFLEETS; MARINE TT; SEAS-ERA; and CIR2CLE (through its legal entity). A permanent Office is located in Lisbon, allowing a continuity of all the activities.

Since December 2007 EurOcean has been established, in the Netherlands, as a Stichting Foundation with a legal representation in Portugal, allowing the participation of the Centre in European projects.