Bold ambition: ADNOC L&C charts confident course for future

Despite the uncertainty gripping world trade, geopolitics and pathways to decarbonisation, UAE headquartered shipping and integrated logistics giant ADNOC Logistics & Services  has plotted a bold, yet measured, course to continued growth. Here Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, Chief Executive Officer, outlines the vision behind the ambition, staking the company’s place at the very vanguard of the global industry.

Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO at ADNOC L&S, may be sitting in his office in Abu Dhabi, UAE, but his mind is currently in Oslo and Lillestrøm, Norway, while his vision spans the world.

Al Masabi is discussing ADNOC’s decision to assume a Leading Partner role at Nor-Shipping 2025 in June – the first time the company has made such a commitment – and what it communicates about wider ambitions.

He describes it as a “statement of intent”, adding:

“We want to do more than participate. We’re here to share our progress, expand our influence, and connect with global stakeholders who are equally focused on innovation, decarbonization, and the future of energy logistics.”

He says events like Nor-Shipping are “a nexus for discussions on the future of shipping, alternative fuels, AI and technological innovations, and create opportunities for us to strengthen industry relationships and forge new partnerships.

“These issues aren’t just trends for us—they are strategic imperatives.”

Stability and strength

Although Nor-Shipping may be celebrating its 60^th anniversary this year, the focus is fixed firmly on tomorrow rather than yesterday, underscored by the main theme of #future-proof.

It’s a topic that chimes perfectly with the organisation headed by Al Masabi.

“Futureproofing for us means more than resilience. It means leadership, adaptability, and long-term vision,” he explains. “To our customers and stakeholders, we provide confidence through continuous innovation, robust and reliable performance and strategic investments that have a positive and immediate impact on the business. Our long-term revenue streams, underpinned by contracts of up to 25 years with ADNOC Group companies, ensure our newbuildings have a total forward coverage of more than 340 years, which provides stability and financial strength. This enables us to deliver value through market cycles.

“That means we are building not just for today’s markets, but for the next era of global trade.”

A major part of that vision involves a growing, modernized fleet. Over the past year, ADNOC L&S’s fleet has expanded by nearly 20%, with orders for 27 new energy-efficient vessels (14 LNG carriers, 9 VLECs, and 4 VLACs) and a strengthening of integrated shipping services. Such ships, he states, are more than just assets—they are enablers of ADNOC L&S’s decarbonization goals, which with their dual fuel engines include cutting emissions intensity by 30% by 2030.

Embracing AI

Alongside the ‘heavy assets’, Al Masabi and his team have also demonstrated an eagerness to invest in digital development, with “industry leadership” in AI being a prime objective.

He comments: “Digital transformation is at our core, integrating AI across operations to enhance efficiency, predictive capabilities, and fuel optimization, which directly supports our emission reduction goals.

“For example, our AI-enabled Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS) is continuing to optimize route planning and asset utilization—driving improvements such as a 9% increase in fleet utilization and significant cost and energy efficiencies.”

It’s an approach that also benefits what Al Masabi calls the company’s “100% HSE” culture, with the deployment of AIQ’s SMARTi system for real-time risk monitoring across its fleet. This solution, made in the UAE, is reported to process over 1 billion predictions daily, with a more than 90% accuracy.

“Our people, our planet, and our performance all depend on the highest safety and environmental standards,” he adds. “AI can help us meet those goals.”

Smart growth

Beyond technology and infrastructure, Al Masabi sees ADNOC L&S’s greatest strength in “people”.

The organisation itself is growing at breakneck speed – from a single office five years ago to a global network of 19 offices across 5 continents today – where partnerships and headline-grabbing investments are super-charging market impact.

He notes: “We’re investing in talent—especially UAE Nationals—and building strategic relationships that align with our sustainability and growth goals. The recent acquisition of an 80% stake of Navig8 was a key strategic move, expanding our global reach, optimizing fleet deployment and deepening capability in targeted markets.

“We are focused on smart growth and value-accretive investments and acquisitions that are aligned with our vision of setting benchmarks in operational excellence, sustainability, and technological innovation.”

Navigating volatility

Even amidst the currently bracing global volatility, ADNOC L&S has maintained ‘a calm head’ and steadfast, bold direction.

“The last 12 months have tested the resilience of the shipping industry,” Al Masabi reflects. “But shipping is the backbone of global trade. Our state-of-the-art fleet and experienced team enable us to not only withstand market shocks but emerge stronger.”

Looking ahead, Al Masabi envisions ADNOC L&S as “the global benchmark” in integrated energy maritime logistics.

“Our ambition is clear: to lead. Whether it’s through decarbonization, digital innovation, or strategic expansion, we are redefining what it means to be a trusted logistics partner in the energy era.”

As Nor-Shipping 2025 approaches, ADNOC L&S is not just preparing to participate – it’s gearing up to steer the conversation.

In an industry on the cusp of transformation, Al Masabi and his global team seem determined not just to keep pace with the future, but to help define it.