AD Ports Group Partners with BigBear.ai to Develop AI-Powered Trade and Logistics

AD Ports Group has announced a partnership agreement signed between its digital arm, Maqta Technologies, and the UAE business of BigBear.ai, a leading provider of mission-ready AI for national security, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, United States. 

The partnership announced during the World Customs Organization Technology Conference, held in Abu Dhabi, will see the two companies explore co-development and delivery of advanced digital solutions for customs and border operations to government authorities and port operators worldwide.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Maqta Technologies and the UAE business unit of BigBear.ai will jointly research, design, develop, test and deploy next-generation digital platforms.

AD Ports Group, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and a major global facilitator of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, brings to the partnership its established portfolio of port community systems, national single window platforms, digital customs clearance systems and trade facilitation technologies.

These tools are designed to streamline regulatory processes, improve transparency and boost operational performance across global logistics value chains.

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BigBear.ai, a US-based AI company is known for providing mission-ready AI solutions for national security and complex decision environments, contributes deep expertise in AI-driven customs capabilities.

Its technology includes automated image analysis for customs inspections, integrated risk management tools and decision-support platforms geared toward enhancing both efficiency and security.

The collaboration also includes pursuing international commercial opportunities with customs authorities, government agencies, port operators, and global trade stakeholders beyond their respective home markets.

Through the partnership, Maqta Technologies brings its established portfolio of port community systems, national single window platforms, digital customs clearance systems, and trade facilitation technologies, enabling more efficient regulatory processes, greater transparency, and improved performance across global logistics value chains.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO - AD Ports Group, said: “Our partnership with BigBear.ai represents a significant step in advancing our AI-driven digital trade and customs solutions.

"By combining Maqta Technologies’ deep expertise in trade facilitation, port community systems, and customs ecosystems with BigBear.ai’s advanced capabilities in AI and customs, we would be well positioned to deliver next-generation platforms that enhance efficiency, transparency, and risk management across global trade and logistics networks.”

Kevin McAleenan, CEO of BigBear. ai and former acting Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, said: “BigBear.ai is delighted to partner with AD Ports Group. They understand the catalytic power of AI from the very top of the organisation.

"They are driving hard to be the market leader in the application of the most advanced AI to support their operators and enhance global trade-flows. This partnership combines BigBear.ai’s extensive domain expertise in AI and customs with AD Ports Group’s global leadership in ports management and logistics.

"It’s tailor-made to help governments pursue the twin objectives of increasing collections and enhancing security at pace."

On December 8, 2025, BigBear.ai announced that it has opened its first regional office in Abu Dhabi and established partnerships with Vigilix and Easy Lease, both owned by International Holding Company.

Industry analysts say the initiative could accelerate the adoption of AI across global logistics hubs, helping to reduce processing times, strengthen border security and enable smarter, more sustainable trade flows in an increasingly digitalised global economy.

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