Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre has been accredited by the UAE’s Federal Transport Authority (FTA) – Land & Marine for its delivery of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) model courses, all of which meet the requirements of the latest edition of the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) code.

The courses accredited are: the IMO Model Course 1.07 for radar navigation, radar plotting and use of automatic radar plotting aid (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 announcement comes after the FTA conducted its annual evaluation and review of the Training Centre’s training programmes, training staff, curriculum and future plans and strategic direction to ensure that all of the criteria are in line with international standards.  All of the criteria were found to be meeting and exceeding the requirements and the FTA awarded its accreditation.

In addition, the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has accredited the ECDIS and ARPA (operational level) courses and associated certificates offered by the Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre. The UK MCA accreditation makes Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre the first training facility in the region to offer these courses with worldwide recognition.

Sultan Al Jaberi, vice president HSE, regulations and security at Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “Our training centre is delivering the highest quality maritime training anywhere in the region, a fact that has been officially recognised by the FTA and the UK’s MCA. 

“Both of these organisations 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.”