The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has officially launched the Waterway Monitoring and Control Centre in partnership with Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, and with the support of the National Guard
The inauguration took place in the presence of His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Director of the Special Projects Department at the Private Office.
Designed as the emirate's central command hub for maritime oversight, the new facility will supervise waterway safety and public maritime operations using smart technologies and predictive analytics. The centre is intended to improve maritime services while enhancing the overall experience for waterway users throughout Abu Dhabi.
Providing a comprehensive operational view of Abu Dhabi's waterways, which extend across more than 45,000 sq km, the centre enables real-time monitoring of navigational channels, open waters, public maritime services, water transport operations and marine vessel movements. It also oversees the deployment and maintenance of nearly 2,000 navigation aids and sensor-enabled smart lanterns, comprising 1,063 lateral marker buoys, 367 beacons, 227 signage buoys and 62 shallow-water signage boards.
In addition, the facility manages more than 40 public maritime services through official digital platforms while tracking the movements of visiting vessels and monitoring occupancy across more than 1,500 public berths. Its responsibilities also include supervising ferry and water taxi operations, coordinating wreck and debris removal activities, issuing marine notices and circulars, and conducting official inspections to enforce maritime safety regulations across more than 100 public and private maritime facilities and around 3,600 recreational marine craft. The integrated system ensures seamless coordination with the relevant authorities.
By consolidating these activities into a unified digital platform, the centre generates integrated datasets that can be analysed through artificial intelligence to produce predictive insights. These capabilities will support informed decision-making, improve public services and enable proactive measures that enhance safety, accessibility and environmental protection across Abu Dhabi's waterways.
Commenting on the launch, Dr Abdulla Hamad Obaid AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said: "The launch of the Waterway Monitoring and Control Centre will strengthen public safety, maritime mobility, and the efficiency of Abu Dhabi’s public maritime services. Through this resource, we aim to encourage safe waterway use, bolster community confidence in maritime activities, and identify opportunities to further develop our assets and service offering. This initiative reinforces the emirate’s vision to integrate smart mobility solutions that enhance quality of life and support long-term economic growth and further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global maritime hub."
Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability & Risk Officer at AD Ports Group, added: "The safety and sustainability of our waterways are intertwined; every safe journey reduces the likelihood of pollution and habitat disturbance, thereby minimizing the need for emergency interventions. The Waterway Monitoring and Control Centre introduces a new standard of smart surveillance and predictive management. By leveraging real-time data, advanced analytics, and integrated response systems, Abu Dhabi Maritime can ensure safer navigation, faster response, and stronger environmental stewardship across our coastline."
The Waterway Monitoring and Control Centre is managed by the Integrated Transport Centre and operated by Abu Dhabi Maritime in close collaboration with the National Guard, in accordance with the Regulatory Bylaw for Maritime Safety in the Waterways of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Alongside the launch, the Integrated Transport Centre introduced four new patrol boats, crewed by Nishan Security Services, part of AD Ports Group, to conduct daily inspections aimed at identifying unsafe activities and regulatory breaches. The centre's monitoring infrastructure also incorporates 16 radar stations providing a comprehensive traffic overview, 29 CCTV cameras positioned at strategic locations, more than 400 additional cameras installed across public maritime facilities, and 17 VHF communication devices enabling real-time coordination between vessels and shore-based operators.
The Waterway Monitoring and Control Centre is based on Saadiyat Island and is complemented by a satellite facility in Al Dhannah, Al Dhafra region, providing continuous oversight of Abu Dhabi's public waterways.
