Abu Dhabi Ports has signed an agreement with the General Authority for the Security of Ports, Borders and Free Zones to set up a joint-training programme to improve border security and increase protection for ports.

The agreement also looks to potentially engage in other, areas of cooperation, to further develop capabilities and improve organisational efficiencies.

The MoU signed recently by Jassem Mohammad Al Zaabi, director general of the General Authority, and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports, establishes the framework for a long-term partnership to provide internationally accredited education programmes, tools and resources on security best-practices and how best to protect the ports, industrial zones and the Emirate’s borders.

“The Emirate of Abu Dhabi and all its entities continuously strive to enhance the efficiency of operations and security expertise not only centred at the port but also to international ships docking here. Working closely together with Abu Dhabi Ports both contributes to and reinforces this objective,” Al Zaabi said.

Captain Al Shamisi said: “Ports across the Emirate are safe and already well-protected. Today’s MoU, however, provides us an opportunity to further enhance security measures and to implement international best-practices across all our facilities. Together with the General Authority, Abu Dhabi Ports looks forward to better protecting our ports and infrastructure.”

As part of the joint-venture, Abu Dhabi Ports and the General Authority will collaborate in the fields of training and development in order to help improve border security and ports and ports systems protection across the Emirate.

All courses are internationally accredited, following strict requirements set out by International Maritime Organization; Abu Dhabi Ports will award accredited certifications to all successful trainees.

The MoU also opens the door to General Authority employees to attend other training sessions held at Abu Dhabi Ports’ internationally recognised Maritime Training Centre, a leading training facility in the region and first GCC maritime training institute to pass a Lloyd’s Register audit and be officially accredited as an Approved Training Provider. - TradeArabia News Service