The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) has activated the Waterway Monitoring and Control Centre to strengthen maritime safety in the emirate. The facility serves as a central hub for waterway safety monitoring and public maritime service operations, using smart systems and predictive analytics to support maritime activities.
This new nexus for waterway management delivers comprehensive situational awareness across navigational channels and open waters within the emirate’s waterbodies, which span more than 45,000 square kilometers. The centre enables real-time monitoring of public maritime service dispatch, public water transport, and marine craft circulation. It coordinates and oversees the positioning and maintenance of nearly 2,000 navigation aids and sensor-equipped smart lanterns. These include 1,063 lateral marker buoys, 367 beacons, 227 signage buoys, and 62 shallow-water signage boards.
The facility facilitates the delivery of more than 40 public maritime services through official digital channels. It ensures close monitoring of visiting vessel journeys, including occupancy patterns across more than 1,500 public berths. Its scope extends to monitoring public water transport movements, such as ferries and water taxis, managing wreck and debris clearing operations, and issuing marine notices. Additionally, the centre conducts official inspections and enforces maritime safety regulations across more than 100 public and private maritime facilities and approximately 3,600 recreational marine craft.
By unifying these processes within a single digital system, the centre captures data capable of transformation into predictive insights through artificial intelligence programs. This supports informed decision-making, service enhancements, and proactive interventions to strengthen safety, waterway access, and environmental protection.
"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."
— Dr Abdulla Hamad Obaid AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre
The project operates in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, and with the support of the National Guard. The activation was announced 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of Abu Dhabi's Waterway Monitoring Centre?
The centre strengthens maritime safety by providing real‑time monitoring, predictive analytics and coordinated control of public water transport, vessel traffic and navigation aids across the emirate’s waterbodies.
How many navigation aids does the Waterway Monitoring Centre manage?
It oversees nearly 2,000 aids, including 1,063 lateral marker buoys, 367 beacons, 227 signage buoys and 62 shallow‑water signage boards.
Which organisations collaborated to launch the Waterway Monitoring Centre?
The project was led by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) with Abu Dhabi Maritime of AD Ports Group, support from the National Guard, and was announced by Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa and Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan.
How many public maritime services are provided through the centre’s digital channels?
The centre facilitates the delivery of more than 40 public maritime services via official digital platforms.
