Abu Dhabi has launched a new Waterway Monitoring and Control Centre to improve maritime safety and strengthen the management of public waterways across the emirate. The Integrated Transport Centre, also known as Abu Dhabi Mobility, announced the new facility on Tuesday.
The launch ceremony was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan and Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport.
The project was developed through a partnership between Abu Dhabi Mobility and Abu Dhabi Maritime, which is part of AD Ports Group. The National Guard also supported the initiative.
The new control centre will serve as the main hub for monitoring waterway safety and coordinating public maritime services across Abu Dhabi. Officials said it will oversee more than 45,000 square kilometres of waterways using advanced digital systems.
The centre uses smart monitoring technology and predictive analytics to track marine activity in real time. It monitors vessel movements, water transport services, and the dispatch of public maritime operations to improve safety and operational efficiency.
Officials said the system also supervises nearly 2,000 navigation aids installed across the emirate. These include 1,063 lateral marker buoys, 367 navigation beacons, 227 signage buoys, 62 shallow-water signage boards, and sensor-equipped smart lanterns that help guide vessels safely.
The control centre will provide more than 40 digital maritime services through official online platforms. These services are designed to improve access to public maritime information while supporting faster communication between authorities and waterway users.
The facility will also monitor vessel movements and berth occupancy at more than 1,500 public docking locations. Authorities said the system will help improve traffic management and make better use of available maritime infrastructure.
In addition, the centre will oversee ferry services, water taxis, marine notices, and the removal of wrecks and debris from waterways. It will also support the enforcement of maritime safety regulations across more than 100 public and private maritime facilities.
Officials said the system will also monitor approximately 3,600 recreational marine craft operating throughout Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Abdulla Hamad Obaid AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said the new centre will strengthen public safety while supporting the emirate’s long-term vision of becoming one of the world’s leading maritime hubs.
Captain Saif Al Mheiri, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability and Risk Officer at AD Ports Group, said the facility introduces a higher level of smart surveillance that will improve navigation safety and support faster emergency response across Abu Dhabi’s waterways.
As part of the launch, authorities introduced four new patrol boats that will carry out daily inspections and monitoring activities.
The maritime surveillance network also includes 16 radar stations, 29 CCTV cameras positioned at key locations, more than 400 cameras installed across maritime facilities, and 17 VHF communication devices that allow real-time coordination between operational teams.
The main Waterway Monitoring and Control Centre is located on Saadiyat Island. A satellite operations site has also been established in Al Dhannah in the Al Dhafra Region to expand monitoring coverage across the emirate.
Officials said the new centre marks another step in Abu Dhabi’s efforts to modernize its maritime sector through advanced technology, digital services, and stronger safety systems. The initiative is expected to improve navigation, support emergency response, and enhance the overall efficiency of maritime transport across the emirate.
