Maqta Gateway® LLC - Innovation in Technology Development

Company: Maqta Gateway® LLC
Company Description: Established in 2016, Maqta Gateway® LLC (MG) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer of ports and industrial zones in Abu Dhabi, UAE. MG is the technological arm that offers 100+ digital services from Seaside to hinterland, facilitates the exchange of goods and movement of people, and contributes to the sustainable development of Abu Dhabi.
Nomination Category: Technology Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Award for the Innovation in Technology Development - Government

Nomination Title: MARSA Solution

With high demand levels to provide predictability, visibility, reliability, and data transparency by the trade, there is a pressing need to use technology and digitalization effectively to facilitate trade and achieve more significant economic and environmental impact. Within port communities, digitalization and technology and communication centralization can enable the efficient exchange of ports documents and ensure streamlined processes and operations. Vessel management is an essential part of maritime traffic supervision and control. It includes the registration and management of ships, approvals of vessels entering and leaving the port, management of foreign vessels, and management ship maintenance and services. This operational phase has a significant impact on the overall port performance and impacts cargo movement to the hinterland, hence the entire trade. Better vessel management translates into efficiencies within the port, enhancing its overall performance and competitiveness.

Therefore, Maqta Gateway® LLC has developed MARSA, a Maritime Management Application that facilitates digital interactions between Shipping Lines and Agents and Port Authority to cover end-to-end formalities of vessel Operations and streamline seaside port services. It resulted from aligning more than 25 government and private entities, resulting in launching more than 100 e-services. This has revolutionized interactions within Abu-Dhabi's import and export ecosystem, including port authorities, port customers, and customs. The application has ultimately created free-flowing electronic information between all the emirate's maritime trading partners for the first time. Having a single-entry point, interoperative digital system, in line with the international standards, significantly streamlined and enhanced seaborne trade by dramatically reducing traditionally paper-heavy, manual processes that governed vessels' movement and cargo in ports, as well as the payment of related services.

MARSRA is integrated with Advanced Trade Logistics Platform, the Single Window of Trade in Abu Dhabi. MARSRA was developed fully in-house by Maqta Gateway® LLC (MG), a Abu Dhabi Ports subsidiary. It also has an innovative mobile application to support all accessibility needs and provide visibility in voyage-related transactions at the fingertips. The word MARSA means 'Anchor' in Arabic, which symbolizes its critical supportive role in the Maritime Sector.

The application has been fully operational since 2015 and has been revamped in 2020 to include more services and innovative features, and enhancements. The first stage consisted of intensive studies and benchmarks, followed by requirements gathering, training, pilot phase, and transition to entire operations. The innovative Agile methodology was used for the development, using sprints, in which part of the product is implemented and can be tested and demonstrated to users for feedback. There was periodic reporting to all relevant stakeholders to keep them engaged and have their buy-in and complete support. User suggestions are constantly reviewed and considered for implementation. In 2020, the solution was revamped to enhance the user-interface and include improvements and innovative added-value features (as per the benchmark with the existing solution in the market), as follows:

Vessel & Voyage Management
Electronic pre-arrival forms
Smart Document Management
ETA estimates
Real-time Vessel Location
Vessel registration enhancement (validation and comparison)
Service Request & PTW
Automated Support/Approval process flow
Connectivity with External Providers
Access to value-added information
Vessel inspection history
Event Reporting Enhancements
Special Scenarios (ex. channel crossing, double banking, sea trial)
Added Terminal & VTS, Shipping Agents communication channel (Chat)
Real-Time Event reporting: Trace&Trace, and Status Update
Automated Billing
Mobile Application

It is estimated that the solution alone contributes with annual savings of about $40 Million for stakeholders and Customers, about 900 thousand yearly trips to the port, and about 19,000 Working days. MARSA was a crucial project in winning the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Sustainability Awards 2019: Resilient Infrastructure. The application has also won the Digital & Technology Award and the Idea of the Year ideasUK