Saudi Arabia launches first smart buoy as part of environmental initiative

New smart buoy deployed at King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail as part of a plan to monitor marine and coastal health across the Kingdom

JUBAIL, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) —The National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) has launched the first smart buoy in the Arabian Gulf at King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail. 

This deployment is part of the Kingdom’s broader plan to install 35 smart buoys across the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf by the end of 2025, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Anwar Alnahdi, general manager of monitoring operations at NCEC, said the installation of smart buoys is moving quickly, starting with deployments in the Red Sea at Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu, and Jizan. 

He added that the network has now reached the Arabian Gulf and will be fully operational by the end of 2025.

Alnahdi noted that the first buoy in the Arabian Gulf represents a crucial advancement in environmental monitoring, as it allows real-time data transmission from both the Kingdom’s eastern and western coasts to its key ports. 

This system will play a vital role in enhancing environmental oversight and informed decision-making.

The solar-powered buoys are equipped with smart sensors that monitor various environmental parameters, including temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, dissolved solids, and specific chemicals. 

With their wireless real-time data transmission capabilities, the buoys enable rapid detection of pollutants, supporting timely response efforts.

Alnahdi emphasized the importance of this technology, particularly given Saudi Arabia’s significant maritime traffic and port developments, which could introduce pollutants that pose risks to the marine and coastal environment if not quickly addressed.