AD Ports Group goes electric with 3 vessels

Barcelona-based Noatum Maritime, which is part of the region’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, says it has bought an all-electric hydrofoiling boat powered by Artemis Technologies’ eFoiler technology and two fully electric Damen RDE-E tug 2513s.

“These zero-emissions vessels form a key pillar of Noatum Maritime’s broader decarbonisation strategy and deliver immediate benefits for customers, including operational efficiency, reduced emissions and potential contributions to carbon credit programmes,” says Noatum Maritime.

The tugs have a 70 tonne bollard pull and feature rapid charging technology – two hours – and can carry out a number of tasks on a single charge.

“By investing in zero-emission pilotage and harbour operations, Noatum Maritime is delivering a cleaner more efficient solution that reduces the environmental footprint of port operations, drives long-term cost savings and also benefits our customers,” said Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, CEO of the Maritime & Shipping Cluster of AD Ports.

“By offering fully electric alternatives we are supporting our customers’ sustainability goals and potentially enabling them to leverage carbon credits. In pioneering these technologies, we are reinforcing our commitment to sustainable innovation and setting new benchmarks for the industry.”

The vessels will operate at Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, the largest port in the Middle East. 

Noatum Maritime was integrated into AD Ports in December 2024, is also now a business segment of the SAFEEN Group and will manage port operations for the parent company.

The port comes under the Gulf Cooperation Council, the economic and political union that comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.