New assessment tool targets maritime industry’s ESG goals

The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, and Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, have unveiled a new tool that aims to support maritime sector stakeholders in achieving their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

Developed by Maqta Technologies Group, the tool, dubbed MARSDNA (an acronym for “maritime sustainability DNA”), lets businesses and organizations measure their standing on both national and global ESG metrics through a ‘free’ questionnaire that uses the responses to grade users’ ESG progress to generate a report, according to Abu Dhabi Maritime.

As explained, by consolidating data from numerous ESG standards, including metrics from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the tool is believed to make ESG tracking “simpler” for industry stakeholders.

In its first rollout phase, MARSDNA is said to focus on five ‘vital’ segments across the maritime sector value chain: shipping companies, ports and terminal operators, freight forwarders and cargo beneficiaries, marine and off-shore services, and marina operators. As per Abu Dhabi Maritime, the ensuing phases are expected to expand the tool’s scope and eventually cover the entire sector.

“MARSDNA exemplifies AD Ports Group’s dedication to championing sustainable development through world-class digital solutions. Digitalization is a potent force in driving collective progress, helping users conceptualize and achieve environmental objectives,” Noura Al Dhaheri, CEO of Maqta Technologies Group and Digital Cluster, AD Ports Group, commented.

Concerning AD Ports Group’s endeavors in 2024, the company has taken several steps forward within the scope of both its business and environmental goals.

At the beginning of December 2024, AD Ports and French shipping colossal CMA CGM opened an environmentally conscious container terminal at Khalifa Port, which would be under a 35-year concession by a joint venture between the two companies.

Approximately three years after the project was announced, the new terminal is now ready for rail connectivity and is anticipated to greatly enhance Khalifa Port’s position as “a major gateway for the region”, having increased its annual container capacity by 23%, i.e. to nearly 10 million TEUs.