SOCIB is a multi-platform distributed and integrated system that provides streams of oceanographic data and modelling services to support operational oceanography in a European and international framework, therefore also contributing to the needs of marine and coastal research in a global change context. In line with EuroGOOS, operational oceanography is here understood in a wide sense, including both the systematic long-term measurements of the seas and their interpretation and dissemination, and also the sustained supply of multidisciplinary data to cover the needs of a wide range of scientific research and societal priorities. This allows a quantitative increase in our understanding of key questions on oceans and climate change, coastal ocean processes, ecosystem variability, sea level rise, etc. and also drives us towards a more science based coastal and ocean management. It is important to note that in its present format and financial status, SOCIB is not be carrying out direct research activities (except in specific areas directly related to SOCIB objectives) but provides support for them.