Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, in cooperation with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), and Adnoc Distribution have signed a new MoU to work together and explore consumer-facing and industry-leading innovations to enhance Abu Dhabi’s coastal and marine locations.

Under the new agreement, Abu Dhabi Maritime and Adnoc Distribution intend to share expertise within a joint working team and delve into three proposed collaboration areas - an Adnoc fuel station at Rabdan Marina, fuel stations at future marinas within Abu Dhabi, and special services (floating fuel and grocery vessel.) The planned additional services will ensure effortless refuelling and convenience for customers.

Dr. Salem Khalfan Al Kaabi, Director-General of Operational Affairs at the DMT, said that this strategic partnership will not only enhance the world-class facilities and services available to residents and visitors but also contribute to positioning Abu Dhabi as a leading global maritime capital. “Together, we will unlock the untapped potential of our shores, creating a thriving and sustainable future for Abu Dhabi’s marine sector,” he added.

Captain Ammar Al Shaiba, Acting CEO of the Maritime Cluster of AD Ports Group, said, “Abu Dhabi Maritime understands the critical role of providing exceptional services to mariners. By collaborating with Adnoc Distribution, a renowned provider of premier marine service stations and retail solutions, we are committed to enhancing the satisfaction of our existing patrons and attracting new ones seeking convenience and accessibility while out on the waters. These efforts align with our shared vision to establish Abu Dhabi as a preeminent global maritime centre.”

Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of Adnoc Distribution, said, “Adnoc Distribution and Abu Dhabi Maritime are coming together with a clear aim of pursuing targeted and ambitious developments that have been identified as having a great promise to deliver superior facilities and services for all who reside in or visit Abu Dhabi. As a result, we expect the subsequent development of new marine concepts and facilities will add significant value, improving the lives of everyone who participates in marine activities in and around the beautiful shores of Abu Dhabi.”

This MoU signals a new milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance Abu Dhabi’s Maritime sector. Adnoc Distribution solely operates all marine fuel stations in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile Adnoc last week announced that it has begun construction on the Middle East’s first high-speed hydrogen refueling station. The station, which is being built in Masdar City by Adnoc, will create clean hydrogen from water, using an electrolyser powered by clean grid electricity.

Hydrogen, which creates no carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions when used, has the highest energy per mass of any fuel and can give vehicles a longer driving range and quicker refueling times compared with battery electric vehicles.

Adnoc also announced a partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Al-Futtaim Motors to test the high-speed hydrogen refueling station using a fleet of clean hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc Managing Director and Group CEO, said, “The need to reduce carbon emissions to address climate change is clear and urgent. Adnoc is placing sustainability and decarbonisation at the heart of its strategy and, while we decarbonise our operations today, we are making robust investments to be a supplier of choice for the clean energies of tomorrow.

“Hydrogen will be a critical fuel for the energy transition, helping to decarbonise economies at scale, and it is a natural extension of our core business. Through this pilot programme, we will gather important data on how hydrogen transportation technology performs as we continue to develop the UAE’s hydrogen infrastructure.” Under the partnership, Toyota and Al Futtaim Motors will provide a fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The pilot programme will help Adnoc understand how hydrogen with high-speed refueling can best be used in mobility projects to support the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to position the country among the largest producers of hydrogen by 2031.

Adnoc Distribution will operate the station upon its completion later this year. A second station, in Dubai Golf City, will be fitted with a conventional hydrogen fueling system.

Adnoc has allocated $15 billion (Dhs55 billion) to advance and accelerate lower-carbon solutions, investing in new energies and decarbonisation technologies to reduce its carbon intensity by 25 per cent by 2030 and enable its Net Zero by 2050 ambition.

In June this year, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) announced today at the “Make it in the Emirates” Forum in Abu Dhabi that is has supported a strategic collaboration agreement between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), John Cockerill Hydrogen and Strata Manufacturing, aiming to manufacture electrolysers in the UAE for local use and for export. Electrolysers produce green hydrogen, an energy source made from renewables that does not emit carbon dioxide at the point of use.

The arrangements intended to be put in place as contemplated by the agreement enhances the development of the UAE’s green hydrogen economy through the in-country manufacturing of electrolysers and supports the UAE’s “Make it in the Emirates” initiative to promote local industry and create a favourable environment for investors.”