23 June 2015
Endorsements from UAE Federal Transport Authority and UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirms industry leading status

Abu Dhabi, UAE:  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 Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code.

The courses which have been accredited are: 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 announcement comes after the FTA conducted its annual evaluation and review of the Training Centre training programs, the training staff, the curriculum and the center's 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 (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) (operational level) courses and the 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 center in the region offering 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 of 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."

Hessa Al Malek, Marine Transport Executive Director, FTA added:  '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.   The Training Centre sets an admirable and impressive example to other industry focused educational establishments in the Emirate.'

The Maritime Training Centre is already a centre of excellence for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) training, because it is the only International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) recognised training provider in the region to offer the complete range of VTS training.

Underlining its commitment to leading the industry, the training centre has recently added another state-of-the-art simulator to train marine professionals in the field of Radar, ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) and GMDSS (Global Marine Distress and Safety System) communication. 

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About Abu Dhabi Ports
Established in 2006, Abu Dhabi Ports' core objective is to facilitate the diversification of the economy by stimulating trade and development. This is done by delivering high quality maritime services, supporting partners' infrastructure projects and setting up new companies and joint ventures in the ports and logistics sectors.

The flagship state-of-the -art Khalifa Port and Khalifa Industrial Zone play a big role, supporting the diversification of the economy.  Khalifa Port was inaugurated on 12/12/12 by UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The port's semi-automated container terminal handles all of Abu Dhabi's container traffic, after its transfer from Zayed Port, the historic port in the city centre.

Phase One of Khalifa Port has a capacity of 2.5 million TEUs and 12 million tons of general cargo. Further phases of development will occur as market demand requires. When all phases are complete, Khalifa Port will be able to handle 15 million TEUs and 35 million tons of general cargo per year.

Abu Dhabi Ports manages nine commercial, logistics, community and leisure ports, and Khalifa Industrial Zone which is serving a range of logistics and manufacturing investors. Abu Dhabi Ports is boosting Abu Dhabi's economic growth and diversification, following Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030.

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© Press Release 2015