Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre attains accreditations

The Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre recently earned Land & Marine accreditation from the UAE's Federal Transport Authority (FTA).

The accreditation was granted to the center for its offering of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Model Courses. These courses are in keeping with the requirements set forth by the most recent edition of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Code.

Accredited courses include the IMO Model Course 1.07 for Radar Navigation, Radar Plotting and Use of ARPA, the IMO Model Course 1.08 for Radar, ARPA, Bridge Teamwork and Search and Rescue and the IMO Model Course 1.27 for Operational use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).

The FTA recently wrapped up its annual evaluation and review of the training center's programs, staff and curriculum. FTA officials also reviewed and evaluated the center's plans for the future and strategic direction. The center's ECDIS and ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) operational-level courses and the associated certificates offered by the Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre were also recently granted accreditation from the United Kingdom's Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) -- making the Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre the first training center in the region to offer the courses.

"Our training center is delivering the highest quality maritime training of anywhere in the region, a fact that has been officially recognized by the FTA and the U.K.'s MCA," Sultan Al Jaberi, vice president for regulations and security at Abu Dhabi Ports, said. “Both of these organizations are important regulators and their endorsement is a valuable step in our work to raise the skills of seafarers to the highest international standards across the region.”

Hessa Al Malek, FTA Marine Transport executive director, said the FTA "works to ensure that the UAE is a leader par excellence in transportation."

"Having conducted our annual audit of the Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre we can confirm that this facility is upholding the highest standards and setting ambitious targets for its students, and we are pleased to confer our accreditation onto this organization and congratulate the staff on their excellent standards and best practice operating procedures," Al Malek said. "The training Center sets an admirable and impressive example to other industry focused educational establishments in the Emirate."