Dubai is developing a new satellite-powered monitoring platform to track its coasts, ports, and marine environment in real time, following an agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC).
The memorandum, formalised at GITEX Global 2025, was signed by Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, and Nasser Abdulla Al Neyadi, Chief Executive Officer of PCFC.
The jointly developed system will combine satellite imagery with ground-based analytics to track coastline changes, vessel activity, and sea conditions in real time.
Dubai marine monitoring
Applications include monitoring wave patterns, analysing Automatic Identification System (AIS) disruptions, detecting oil spills, and supporting maritime safety and environmental sustainability.
Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC said, “We are pleased to partner with the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation in this strategic initiative, which represents a significant step towards enhancing their capabilities in monitoring the marine and coastal environment.
“By leveraging space-based data, we aim to strengthen decision-making accuracy and establish a robust monitoring infrastructure that contributes to environmental protection, maritime security, and long-term sustainability.”
Nasser Abdulla Al Neyadi, CEO, PCFC said, “This MoU marks an important milestone in improving our smart marine monitoring capabilities by utilising the advanced satellite data provided by MBRSC.
“The development of an integrated monitoring platform will enhance the efficiency of marine and security operations across Dubai’s ports and support our efforts to protect the marine environment, monitor emissions, and detect oil spills with greater accuracy.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to adopting the latest space technologies and intelligent data analysis, in line with Dubai’s vision to be a global hub for marine innovation and sustainability.
“It also reinforces our strategic direction towards creating a fully digital ecosystem that enables fast, data-driven decision-making and strengthens Dubai’s leadership in port and free zone management.”
The collaboration builds on MBRSC’s expanding Earth-observation programme. Earlier this year, the Centre launched MBZ-SAT — the region’s most advanced imaging satellite — and Etihad-SAT, its first Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite.
Together they provide high-resolution optical and radar imaging to support civil, maritime, and environmental applications.
Follow us on
