Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre (ADPMTC) has been accredited by the UAE's Federal Transport Authority (FTA) - Land & Marine, for its delivery of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) model courses.

The courses meet the requirements of the latest edition of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code, said a statement from the training centre.

The two courses which have been accredited are – the IMO Model Course 1.07 for Radar Navigation, Radar Plotting and use of automatic radar plotting aids (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), it added.

The announcement comes after the FTA conducted its annual evaluation and review of the ADPMTC’s training programmes, the training staff, the curriculum and the centre’s future plans and strategic direction, to ensure that all of the criteria are in line with international standards, it said.

In addition, the UK's Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has accredited the ECDIS and Arpa (operational level) courses and the associated certificates offered by the ADPMTC.

The UK MCA accreditation makes ADPMTC the first training centre in the region offering these courses with worldwide recognition, said the Abu Dhabi Ports Centre in its statement.

The ADPMTC is also a leading provider of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) training, since it is the only training provider in the region recognised by International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), it said.

The training centre has recently added another advanced simulator to train marine professionals in the field of Radar, ECDIS and Global Marine Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) communication, it added.  

Sultan Al Jaberi, vice president HSE, regulations and security at Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “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, said: “The FTA works to ensure that the UAE is a leader par excellence in transportation.”

“Having conducted our annual audit of the ADPMTC 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 organisation and congratulate the staff on their excellent standards and best practice operating procedures,” she added. – TradeArabia News Service