The institute will specialise in oil and gas and related petrochemical safety training, and while offering accredited training courses in health and safety and related subjects for the construction and other industries in Saudi Arabia

The new Azda Marine Institute (AMI) KSA, a joint venture between Azda Group (KSA) and leading European based safety training company FMTC (Netherlands) is situated strategically in Ras Tanura on the East Coast of Saudi Arabia, home to one of the largest Saudi Aramco gas operations in the Kingdom, and north of the Jubail Industrial City and south of the new Ras Al Khair Port development.

Piggott and Al Mousa (right) at AMI

The AMI building in Ras Tanura is similar in design and operation to other FMTC training facilities around the world and hosts 10 classrooms, one theatre lecture hall, full pool with lifeboat, life raft and helicopter underwater escape training (HUET) and a basic fire-fighting ground.

The centre is expected to be expanded this year to include an OPITO major emergency and incident response training suite with a full control room and examination room.

The HUET is the most advanced design in the world

Speaking to OGN, Abdulwahab Al Mousa, Chairman of the Azda Marine Institute and a retired Saudi Navy Commodore, says: 'Historically, global companies spend a lot of time and energy looking for a reliable partner in virgin territories like ours, whereas regional companies spend a lot of energy trying to find the right partner with the right product to meet the regional needs. At the Azda Marine Institute, we aim to bridge that gap.'

FMTC is global leader in emergency response, survival and safety training for the offshore oil & gas (OPITO), Renewable (GWO) and Maritime (STCW) and Industry (OSHA).

Heading up the new Azda Marine Institute in Ras Tanura is Australian safety training veteran Adam Piggott, General Manager FMTC KSA, a renowned figure in international standard safety training.

He says: 'Safety training for the industrial sectors, whether for those working in an offshore or onshore capacity, is not simply about obtaining a certificate or ticking a box on a training matrix. Rather, the primary goal of excellence in safety training is to change for the better the safety behaviour of individuals in an organisation, at all levels.'

The AMI building hosts 10 classrooms and one theatre lecture hall

Behavioural safety is what you do when nobody is watching you, he says, adding: 'It is your instinctive approach to safety.

'You don't follow the rules because you have to follow them; you follow the rules because you want to follow them. Successful training of this type will affect not only how you work but also how you live outside of work and ultimately your own survival and those around you who may depend on you.'

As such, Piggott says: 'Opening in Ras Tanura is an exciting new opportunity for FMTC in a dynamic and fast evolving part of the world. For me, the ability to work closely with Azda Marine Institute and benefit from their local knowledge has been a huge help and demonstrates that working together with a strong local partner was definitely the right decision.'

The AMI facility at Ras Tanura boasts a HUET METS (modular egress training simulator) system designed, and purpose built by Canadian company Survival Systems.

The HUET is the most advanced design in the world and is typically used by militaries and offshore oil platform operators for advanced helicopter rescue training.

The HUET is equipped with multiple redundancy systems to ensure the safest possible training environment for delegates.

Michel Hogervorst, Managing Director of FMTC Safety, says: 'As part of our strategic expansion plans, I am delighted to commence our training centre in Saudi Arabia together with our valued local partner Azda Marine Institute. We have put together the best team that will support the growth of the company in the Kingdom and at the same time ensure that the customers have a unique experience.'

Anyone working in or wanting to work in the offshore oil and gas, wind energy or wind industry needs the knowledge and skills to work safely and to obtain certain certificates to work in the industry.

Whether doing a basic course, a refresher course, or a more specific course, at FMTC Safety, the courses are taught by qualified professionals with years of experience.

The courses that will be offered by the Azda Marine Institute cover everything needed to ensure that employees can work safely in their industries. FMTC Safety is fully certified and super flexible, and students can follow the courses they need, when they need them.

Appropriately accredited and presented courses ensure that students can learn about occupational safety, health, risk assessments and fire safety to world class standards.

FMTC Safety has training centres, which are located around the world including Houma, Louisiana, the US; at the practice centre of the Fire Brigade Amsterdam at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport; Dordrecht, near Rotterdam, in The Netherlands; and Dunkirk, France.

The accredited training courses and proprietary signature facilities ensure realistic practices and assures that training is delivered with the best equipment, training products and instructors.

Although specialising in oil and gas and related petrochemical safety training, the Azda Marine Institute will also offer accredited training courses in health and safety and related subjects for the construction and other industries in Saudi Arabia.