ADNOC Launches AI-Powered Smart Port Solution in UAE

ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S), one of the leading energy logistics companies in the UAE, has announced the deployment of the first AI-powered Smart Port Solution in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This new technology aims to transform operations at petroleum ports, making them faster, safer, and more efficient. The solution is part of ADNOC L&S’s commitment to digital transformation, operational excellence, and sustainability across its petroleum port operations.

What is the Smart Port Solution?

The Smart Port Solution is an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to improve the management of petroleum ports. It helps in planning and tracking marine activities in real-time, allowing ports to run more smoothly and efficiently. This system is not just about technology—it is about making port operations smarter and more sustainable.

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Developed by Innovez One, a well-known provider of port management systems, this solution focuses on reducing delays, improving resource use, and making port operations easier to manage. Essentially, it allows ADNOC L&S to monitor activities at the ports in real-time and respond quickly to any changes or challenges.

Key Benefits of the Solution

The AI-powered system offers several significant benefits for ADNOC L&S and its petroleum port operations:

1. Faster Vessel Turnaround: The system reduces the time ships spend at the port from several hours to just a fraction of that time. In fact, vessel turnaround time can be reduced by up to 90%, which means ships can load or unload faster and return to sea more quickly.

2. Time Savings: Tasks that used to take three hours, such as service sourcing and coordination, can now be completed in just 45 seconds. This massive reduction in time allows the port to operate more efficiently and handle more ships without adding extra resources.

3. Cost Savings: By saving 3,000 working hours annually, the Smart Port Solution is expected to deliver around $950,000 (AED 3.5 million) in operational savings by the year 2028. These savings can be used to invest in more technology or improve other port operations.

4. Improved Jetty Utilization: The system increases jetty usage by 20%, meaning that more ships can use the available berths without causing delays. This improvement leads to better overall efficiency and smoother port operations.

5. Enhanced Vessel Management: With better scheduling and real-time tracking, vessel management is expected to improve by about 10%, making it easier to plan, monitor, and operate ships at the ports.

6. Sustainability: The AI system also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing idle time for vessels and optimizing fuel usage. Less waiting and smoother operations mean a lower carbon footprint for the ports.

Statements from Leadership

Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC L&S, expressed his excitement about the deployment of this technology:

"The deployment of the Smart Port Solution across our petroleum ports in the UAE underscores our commitment to harnessing AI. We continue to invest in innovation to optimize our operations and deliver greater value for our business and customers."

Captain Al Masabi highlighted that the adoption of AI technology is not just about efficiency but also about positioning ADNOC L&S as a leader in modern, sustainable energy logistics.

Similarly, David Yeo, CEO of Innovez One, shared his thoughts on the partnership:

"Our collaboration with ADNOC L&S is a testament to the transformative power of AI in global energy logistics. By optimizing operational workflows, we’re not only improving efficiency but also contributing to ADNOC L&S’s sustainability goals, helping make the UAE’s petroleum ports a global benchmark for smart operations."

These statements emphasize that the AI solution is a step forward in making the UAE’s petroleum ports smarter, faster, and environmentally friendly.

Ports Covered by the Smart Solution

The Smart Port Solution has already been deployed across several key ADNOC L&S petroleum ports in the UAE. These include:

• Das Island

• Zirku Island

• Mubaraz Island

• Ruwais Port

• Jebel Dhana Port

The deployment ensures that all major petroleum ports under ADNOC L&S are operating with the same advanced technology, providing a uniform standard of efficiency and operational excellence.

How the Technology Works

The Smart Port Solution integrates multiple advanced technologies to ensure smooth operations:

1. AI-Powered Planning: The system uses AI to allocate resources like berths, cranes, and manpower efficiently. This prevents unnecessary delays and ensures smooth scheduling of vessels.

2. Real-Time Tracking: Ships, cargo, and port activities are tracked in real-time. This allows managers to make quick decisions if something unexpected happens, such as delays, maintenance issues, or weather changes.

3. Data Analytics: The system analyzes data from past operations to predict bottlenecks, optimize schedules, and improve overall port performance.

4. User-Friendly Interface: Port operators can access the system easily, making it simple to plan operations, track vessels, and respond to issues quickly.

Overall, the technology makes port operations smarter, faster, and more transparent.

Impact on the UAE and the Energy Sector

The implementation of the Smart Port Solution is not just a win for ADNOC L&S—it is a win for the UAE’s energy sector as a whole. Here’s why:

• Global Leadership: By adopting AI, the UAE is positioning its petroleum ports as leaders in digital transformation and innovation in the energy sector.

• Operational Excellence: The solution improves productivity and efficiency, ensuring that the UAE’s ports can handle more operations with fewer delays.

• Sustainability: With optimized scheduling and reduced vessel idle time, the environmental impact of port operations is minimized. This aligns with global sustainability goals and helps the UAE reduce its carbon footprint.

• Economic Benefits: Operational savings and increased efficiency contribute to the broader economy by allowing resources to be used more effectively.

Future Plans

ADNOC L&S plans to continue expanding the use of AI across its operations. The company is committed to continuous innovation, ensuring that its petroleum ports remain world-class in both efficiency and sustainability. The Smart Port Solution is part of a broader strategy to integrate digital technologies into energy logistics, improve operational workflows, and provide higher value to customers.

The success of this deployment also sets the stage for other ports in the GCC and globally to consider similar AI-powered solutions. As more ports adopt such technology, the shipping and energy sectors could see faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly operations worldwide.

Conclusion

The deployment of ADNOC L&S’s AI-powered Smart Port Solution marks a significant milestone in the modernization of UAE petroleum ports. By improving vessel turnaround time, optimizing resources, reducing costs, and enhancing sustainability, ADNOC L&S is not only raising the standard for port operations in the UAE but also demonstrating the power of AI in transforming the global energy logistics industry.

With this solution, ADNOC L&S is reinforcing its position as a pioneer in digital transformation, operational excellence, and environmental responsibility. It shows how advanced technology can bring real-world benefits, from faster and more efficient port operations to a greener and more sustainable energy sector.

The UAE’s petroleum ports are now smarter, faster, and more sustainable than ever before, setting a benchmark for ports around the world.