The Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (ADMA), the region’s leading academic institution for maritime training and an integral part of AD Ports Group, signed an agreement with Orbitworks Satellites Manufacturing to obtain advanced Earth observation (EO) services through its Altair satellite constellation.
The agreement, formally signed at the “Make it In the Emirates” forum in Abu Dhabi, will enable ADMA to expand its digital services and research capabilities in the maritime ecosystem, mineral exploration, and environmental monitoring.
Satellite-derived intelligence will support port management and surveying, enabling real-time visibility of maritime traffic, port infrastructure, and coastal activity to improve operational efficiency and situational awareness at maritime facilities. Together, these capabilities will help strengthen the quality and speed of applied research, innovation, and data-driven decision-making in coastal and maritime environments.
Dr. Yasser Al Wahedi, President of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, stated that “our agreement with Orbitworks represents a significant step in ADMA’s efforts, driven by its research arm, Orbion Maritime Intelligence, to transform applied research into relevant operational capabilities that shape the future of global trade. By leveraging advanced satellite-based intelligence and AI, we are unlocking new capabilities that enhance decision-making, optimize supply chains, and support sustainability in key sectors, reinforcing AD Ports Group’s long-term economic and environmental ambitions.”
Dr. Hamdullah Mohib, Interim CEO of Orbitworks, expressed that “Orbitworks was created to advance the UAE’s space ambitions by combining global expertise with strong local capabilities. Through this agreement, we are proud to offer a fully integrated satellite solution, assembled in the UAE, that enables advanced intelligence in key sectors, supporting the development of more efficient, resilient, and sustainable digital services in Abu Dhabi and beyond.”
Altair is a multi-sensor Earth observation constellation of 10 satellites equipped with optical, infrared, thermal, and radio frequency detection capabilities, with onboard AI processing powered by Nvidia GPUs. Its advanced imaging payloads and optimized orbital design enable frequent revisit rates and constant data acquisition, supporting applications such as maritime domain awareness, environmental monitoring, land use and coastal zone analysis, and resource and infrastructure assessment.
The research initiative will enable the development of advanced intelligence capabilities in the mining sector, including the identification of potential deposits and the digital optimization of mineral logistics.
These capabilities are expected to improve the efficiency of mineral transport from their origin to processing plants, smelters, and metal production centers within the Kezad Group ecosystem, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a regional hub for mineral processing and trade.
In the agricultural sector, planning and routing services will be provided, including crop yield forecasting, fertilizer delivery optimization, and harvest logistics planning. These capabilities are expected to improve coordination of agricultural supply chains linked to ports, trade corridors, and export infrastructure, thereby increasing efficiency in integrated logistics networks.
Furthermore, the initiative will enable advanced ecological research on the UAE’s seagrass ecosystems, recognized for their resilience to extreme marine heat. Through satellite monitoring, researchers will analyze habitat distribution, ecosystem health, and adaptation mechanisms to inform long-term sustainability strategies.
This research activity will be carried out in collaboration with Orbital Stations Monaco, bringing international scientific expertise to support ocean and environmental research.
