On 31th March, CIESM is taking part as an observer in the 25th Conference of the Mediterranean and Black Seas Hydrographic Commission (MBSHC), held in Marseille, France, from 31 March to 2 April 2025. The meeting marks a further step in the Commission’s ongoing collaboration with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) under a renewed Memorandum of Understanding.
On the opening day, Dr. Kaveh Rasoulzadegan presented the latest operational version of Prism, CIESM’s 3D marine data visualisation platform, offering participants an overview of its most recent developments and applications.
Built on WebGL2 and Three.js technologies, Prism is designed to support the exploration and analysis of large and heterogeneous marine datasets. Its architecture combines tiled pyramidal and octree data structures, allowing efficient data streaming and real-time interaction, including at high resolution.
The platform integrates multiple data dimensions, from 2D mapping layers to dynamic 3D and time-dependent datasets, and provides tools for filtering, comparative analysis and spatial data integration.
The live demonstration featured S-100/S-111 datasets on tidal current dynamics in the English Channel, provided by SHOM, together with GEBCO bathymetry and seismic models from the Spakman database. The presentation illustrated the platform’s ability to bring together diverse marine datasets within a single analytical environment.
IHO representatives welcomed the platform’s potential. Dr. Eric Langlois of the IHO Secretariat underlined its value in supporting the accessibility and usability of hydrographic data, while Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi, IHO Director, noted the progress achieved since Prisme was first presented at the GEBCO “Map the Gaps” Symposium in Monaco in 2023.
CIESM warmly thanks the IHO for its continued trust and collaboration under the renewed MoU.
Special thanks are extended to Dr. Mathias Jonas, IHO Secretary-General; Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi; Dr. Eric Langlois; and Captain (N) Lucian Grigorescu, Chair of MBSHC, for their support and warm welcome. The Commission also thanks France for hosting the conference at Fort Ganteaume, overlooking Marseille’s Old Port.
