The Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), part of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), has launched Port Eye, an advanced aerial monitoring system powered by autonomous drones and artificial intelligence. This initiative marks a major step toward developing intelligent and sustainable port ecosystems across Dubai’s maritime zones.
The system is designed to strengthen operational safety, monitor environmental conditions, and streamline infrastructure inspections. Equipped with 4K thermal imaging cameras and advanced environmental sensors, the drones operate within a centralized smart control network that provides real-time visual feeds and instant data analytics. As a result, Port Eye reduces manual intervention in high-risk environments and improves energy efficiency, aligning with the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 and Net Zero 2050 goals.
Transforming Port Operations Through AI and Automation
Captain Ibrahim Al Blooshi, Executive Director of the Dubai Ports Authority, said: “Port Eye reflects our strategic commitment to building a smart, safe, and sustainable port ecosystem driven by real-time data and AI-powered insights. This project marks a quantum leap in Dubai’s digital transformation journey within the maritime sector, reinforcing the city’s position as a global leader in smart port innovation and operational safety.”
Al Blooshi noted that inspection time has been reduced from four hours to just fifty minutes, significantly enhancing decision-making and ensuring safer, more efficient operations. He added that Port Eye is the first system of its kind in the region, uniquely combining real-time analytics with rapid incident and environmental response capabilities. With intelligent sensors, the platform can detect ship emissions, track marine pollution, and ensure compliance with international environmental standards.
Advancing Smart, Sustainable Maritime Innovation
The drones feature fully autonomous navigation, AI-driven image and video processing, and sensor arrays capable of measuring sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other emissions in real time. All live data is visualized through a 3D interactive dashboard linked directly to DPA’s command and control center, allowing for immediate responses and predictive maintenance.
Early results reveal that Port Eye has improved inspection efficiency by more than 60 percent compared to manual methods. This performance sets a new benchmark for intelligent port operations and reinforces Dubai’s growing role as a global hub for maritime innovation and smart safety management.
