Abu Dhabi Terminals has secured a partnership agreement with Microsoft, which will herald the next phase in the digital transformation of Abu Dhabi’s flagship maritime asset, Khalifa Port.
The partnership will enable enhanced container tracking and autonomous shuttle capabilities across Abu Dhabi Terminal’s Khalifa Port terminal, said a statement, through the deployment of Artificial Intelligence Services of Azure, Microsoft’s Cloud.
“This collaboration ushers in a new era for autonomous vehicles in a terminal environment,” pointed out Ralph Haupter, President at Microsoft EMEA, and went on to say, “The local Microsoft Cloud Regions are ready to provide all of the computing power necessary to handle the complex data processing required and also scale these new technologies.”
Abu Dhabi Terminals is the management company and operator of Khalifa Port Container Terminal (KPCT), one of the world’s largest semi-automated deep-water box terminals.
Ahmed Al Mutawa, CEO of the company, commented, “By driving innovation through the implementation of Artificial Intelligence and automation, Abu Dhabi Terminals is committed to modernising our port environment, while also dramatically reducing our carbon footprint, and costs, as well as turnaround times for those accessing Khalifa Port.”
The technology, deployed in partnership with Microsoft Consulting Services, will fuel the introduction of AI-based container smart tracking solutions that will ensure 100% traceability of all handled containers, as well as the potential to launch an autonomous vehicle system, according to an announcement.
“AI and automation technology are not widely used in the port industry, but we firmly believe in its potential and are convinced that our approach will not only benefit Abu Dhabi Terminals and the UAE, but will extend to the entire shipping industry, transforming the way business is done,” noted Arturo Garcia, Chief Automation Officer of Abu Dhabi Terminals.
