ADNOC terminals handled every barrel of crude, refined product, and LNG moving through Abu Dhabi’s petroleum ports in 2025 — and the company is now deploying AI across all five port locations to cut vessel service-sourcing time from three hours to 45 seconds. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company operates one of the most strategically positioned terminal networks in the Middle East, with exploratory talks underway to extend that footprint into Europe via Cyprus’s stalled Vasilikos LNG facility.
Company Overview
Founded in 1971, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government and operates across the full energy value chain — upstream exploration, midstream pipelines, downstream refining, and marine terminal logistics. The group has already reached a position as one of the lowest carbon-intensity oil and gas producers globally, with a stated net zero target for 2045 and a commitment to zero methane emissions by 2030.
ADNOC has allocated $23 billion toward lower-carbon solutions and is targeting a 25% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030. Its clean energy subsidiary, Masdar, anchors its renewables, hydrogen, and low-carbon ammonia investments. The group’s “Maximum Energy. Minimum Emissions” framework sets the strategic direction for all capital allocation decisions, including terminal infrastructure.
For context on how ADNOC compares with other state-backed operators, see our ranking of the top 10 oil storage companies securing the 2026 energy supply chain.
ADNOC Terminals — Petroleum Ports Across the UAE
Terminal operations are managed through ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S), the group’s dedicated logistics and marine services arm. ADNOC L&S operates petroleum ports at five named locations: Das, Zirku, Mubaraz, Ruwais, and Jebel Dhana — a network that spans Abu Dhabi’s offshore islands and coastal industrial zones.
Marine services are integral to ADNOC terminal operations. Every vessel arriving at or departing from an ADNOC petroleum port is assisted by at least one ADNOC L&S tugboat. The marine fleet encompasses terminal tugs, azimuth stern drive tugs, diving support vessels, maintenance vessels, mooring boats, line boats, pilot boats, and crew boats — a fleet scale consistent with managing high-frequency tanker traffic at multiple simultaneous berths.
AI and Digital Transformation at ADNOC Terminals
In September 2025, ADNOC L&S began deploying an AI-powered smart port solution across all five UAE petroleum port locations, working with Singapore-headquartered technology developer Innovez One. The system delivers real-time tracking of marine activities, digital scheduling of services, and automated operational workflows.
The performance metrics are specific. Vessel service-sourcing time has been cut from three hours to 45 seconds. The deployment is projected to save 3,000 hours annually, raise jetty utilisation by 20%, and deliver a 10% improvement in vessel management efficiency. Total operational savings are estimated at US$950,000 by 2028.
Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC L&S, stated that the rollout “underscores our commitment to harnessing AI” across the group’s petroleum port infrastructure. This positions ADNOC among the first state oil company terminal operators to implement AI-driven port management at scale — a trend tracked in the 2026 strategic outlook for oil and gas storage.
ADNOC Terminals Global Expansion — Cyprus and Beyond
ADNOC entered exploratory talks in January 2026 over a potential role at the Vasilikos LNG terminal in Cyprus — a facility the Cyprus government has struggled to advance without an established international operator. ADNOC has indicated it is seeking an operator or co-operator role, not a simple contractor arrangement, which would represent a meaningful step toward direct European terminal presence.
The Cyprus discussions followed ADNOC signing a $3 billion, 10-year LNG supply deal with India’s Hindustan Petroleum, demonstrating the group’s appetite for long-term offtake commitments tied to terminal access. Contact with the Cyprus side was renewed during a visit to the UAE by Cyprus Energy Minister Damianos. Talks remain ongoing as of early 2026 and have not concluded in a formal agreement.
Taken alongside its domestic port network, these international moves reflect a terminal strategy built on operational control rather than passive investment — a contrast to the asset-light approaches taken by some rival state producers. For comparison, see our profile of Saudi Aramco terminals at Ras Tanura and Yanbu.
Company Snapshot
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Ownership | Abu Dhabi Government (100%) |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Terminal Arm | ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) |
| UAE Petroleum Ports | Das, Zirku, Mubaraz, Ruwais, Jebel Dhana |
| AI Technology Partner | Innovez One (Singapore) |
| AI Deployment Savings | US$950,000 by 2028 |
| Jetty Utilisation Improvement | +20% |
| Low-Carbon Investment | $23 billion allocated |
| Net Zero Target | 2045 |
| Methane Zero Target | 2030 |
| Carbon Intensity Reduction Target | 25% by 2030 |
| Clean Energy Subsidiary | Masdar |
What terminals does ADNOC operate?
ADNOC operates five petroleum port terminals in the UAE through its logistics arm, ADNOC Logistics & Services. The named locations are Das, Zirku, Mubaraz, Ruwais, and Jebel Dhana. The company is also in exploratory talks to take an operator role at the Vasilikos LNG terminal in Cyprus.
What is ADNOC Logistics and Services?
ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) is the dedicated logistics and marine services arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. It manages petroleum port operations across the UAE, operates a multi-vessel marine fleet, and handles all vessel movements at ADNOC’s five petroleum ports.
How is ADNOC using AI at its terminals?
ADNOC L&S deployed an AI-powered smart port solution from Innovez One across all five UAE petroleum ports in September 2025. The system cuts vessel service-sourcing time from three hours to 45 seconds, saves 3,000 hours annually, raises jetty utilisation by 20%, and is projected to deliver US$950,000 in operational savings by 2028.
What is ADNOC’s role in LNG storage and supply?
ADNOC is pursuing LNG supply agreements and terminal operator positions internationally. In early 2026, it signed a $3 billion, 10-year LNG supply deal with India’s Hindustan Petroleum and entered exploratory talks to operate or co-operate the Vasilikos LNG terminal in Cyprus.
Who owns ADNOC?
ADNOC is wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. It was founded in 1971 and operates as the UAE’s national oil company, with activities spanning upstream exploration, midstream pipelines, downstream refining, and marine terminal logistics.