Saudi Arabia Deploys 35 Smart Marine Buoys

Saudi Arabia has completed the deployment of 35 smart marine monitoring buoys along its Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts, as part of a nationwide program to monitor marine and coastal pollution. The network was rolled out by the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC).

The buoys cover roughly 3,400 to 3,500 kilometers of coastline. They are positioned away from main navigation routes but concentrated near ports, industrial discharge points, heavy shipping lanes, and strategic coastal locations.

Each buoy is solar-powered and fitted with sensors that measure temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved solids, and chemical parameters. The devices transmit data wirelessly around the clock to a central control room, where it is analyzed for early detection of pollution and abnormal environmental changes.

The national network generates more than 20,000 readings and analyses exceeding 500,000 measurements This volume of data is designed to support rapid pollution response and informed environmental decision-making.

The deployment began with buoys at Jeddah Islamic Port, followed by Yanbu and Jazan on the Red Sea, before extending to the Arabian Gulf at King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail.

Why it matters

The project aims to strengthen early environmental monitoring, improve surveillance of coastal water quality, and boost preparedness for marine pollution risks. Healthy coastal waters are vital to fisheries and coastal tourism, both of which support jobs and communities across the Kingdom's shores.

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