Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Ports Group and NYU Abu Dhabi are collaborating to develop a system powered by artificial intelligence designed to improve vessel arrival scheduling, berth allocation and port efficiency.
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The multi-year research collaboration will focus on building what the companies describe as a “high-fidelity intelligence engine” using stochastic AI models and spatial analytics to support port operations.
The system is expected to help more accurately predict vessel arrival times, improve berth allocation decisions and provide insights into environmental impact and fuel usage.
The project comes as ports globally face increasing pressure to improve efficiency amid rising trade volumes, shipping congestion and decarbonisation targets.
Long waiting times at ports around the world can leave ships docked for days, increasing fuel consumption, operational costs and supply chain delays. Add ongoing regional warfare to the mix. According to AD Ports Group, the new system aims to reduce uncertainty around port calls and improve scheduling accuracy without requiring physical expansion of the port.
The companies said better coordination between ship arrival times and berth allocation could also help reduce idle time and fuel burn for ships, potentially reducing emissions associated with port operations.
Mohamed Jamal-Eddine, Group Chief Digital and Chief Information Officer at AD Ports Group, said the partnership focuses on integrating operational expertise with predictive modeling and AI-driven decision-making tools.
“As we continue to reimagine logistics ecosystems to advance the frontiers of global trade, pioneering research and strategic partnerships remain key pillars of our digitally-led approach,” he said.
The initiative is expected to be piloted in selected terminals and trade lanes before any wider rollout in AD Ports Group’s international network.
Arlie Peters, professor at NYU Abu Dhabi, said the partnership aims to combine academic research with operational applications in logistics and infrastructure.
“At NYU Abu Dhabi, we focus on research that addresses real-world challenges,” he said, adding that the collaboration aims to support efficiency, sustainability and sustainability in logistics operations.
The project will be academically led by Professor Ali Diabat from NYU Abu Dhabi’s Civil and Urban Engineering program.
As part of the agreement, AD Ports Group will provide operational data and facilitate the deployment of pilots in selected countries under its internal data governance framework.
