The Association has seen an uptake in its qualifications in sectors including oil and gas. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Association for Project Management (APM) has seen a 35% growth in membership numbers in the region in the six months since establishing its regional network in the UAE

Over this period, APM also successfully conducted several networking events and educational webinars, as well as launching a pilot of its popular Project Fundamentals Qualification in Arabic.

APM’s director of Education and Lifelong Learning, Jackie Martin, said, “We are witnessing an unprecedented demand for project management professionals in the region due to increase in infrastructure projects, economic diversification and business transformation initiatives, all of which require qualified managers. The sectors that have seen the most uptake for our qualifications include construction, oil and gas, energy, engineering, and infrastructure. With growth in sustainability practices and AI adoption, project managers need to upskill to face the demands of a rapidly changing workforce, and we have several programmes to guide them through this industry transformation.”

APM’s Project Management Qualification and Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) status have also seen a growing interest from the region. The Project Management Qualification, which is designed for individuals with some experience in project management, aims to enhance knowledge and skills in all areas of project management. It covers key areas like planning, risk management and communication, and is a valuable credential for career advancement for professionals in all industry sectors. ChPP status shows a person has achieved the highest standard of expertise and proven exceptional project capabilities, through a defined level of technical knowledge, professional practice and ethical behaviour.

Miriam Al-Alawi, deputy network lead for APM in the UAE, said, “APM membership gives one access to qualifications, networking and events to research, resources and debate – all aiding a project professional’s ongoing career development.”

APM UAE Regional Network member, Rachael Keeble, founder of BuiltWell, added, “By launching in the UAE, APM are playing an important role bringing together project management professionals for networking, debate and discussion. I was delighted to be part of the recent ‘Women in Leadership’ panel which explored the themes of inclusive leadership, various leadership styles and how we can best empower and advocate for others. The key takeaway was that authenticity, passion and empathy have an important place in leadership and the success of our projects."

Upcoming APM programmes in the region

To help project managers prepare to face the challenges of a rapidly transforming workforce, APM is offering a free-to-attend webinar on ‘Career development tools and techniques’ on 2 September, 2025. To register, please click here.

The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification is now being offered in Arabic, specifically for the UAE and Middle East region, with a pilot programme taking place in September 2025. Project professionals who use Arabic, and would like to gain the APM Fundamentals Qualification, can find out more information and apply to join the pilot here.

ADNOC’s Ruwais LNG project is scheduled to commence commercial operations in 2028. (Image source: ADNOC)

ADNOC has signed a 15-year Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with IndianOil, India’s largest integrated and diversified energy company, for the supply of one million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG sourced mainly from ADNOC’s Ruwais LNG project, currently under development at Al Ruwais Industrial City

The agreement advances ADNOC’s LNG leadership ambitions as it seeks to capitalise on the growing global demand for LNG, particularly across the high-demand Asian LNG market, as well as furthering its energy transition objectives.

By 2029, IndianOil is set to become ADNOC’s largest LNG customer, with a total offtake of 2.2 mtpa.

ADNOC’s Ruwais LNG project is scheduled to commence commercial operations in 2028. To date, over 8 mtpa of the project’s 9.6 mtpa production capacity has been committed to international customers through long-term agreements. It will be the first LNG facility in the Middle East to run on clean power, making it one of the lowest carbon intensity LNG facilities in the world.

ADNOC Gas is planning to acquire ADNOC’s 60% stake in the Ruwais LNG project at cost, in the second half of 2028. Upon completion, the project, comprising two 4.8 mtpa liquefaction trains with a combined capacity of 9.6 mtpa, will more than double ADNOC Gas’ existing operated LNG production capacity to around 15 mtpa.

Rashid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, ADNOC senior vice president, Marketing, said, “This long-term agreement with IndianOil underscores the robust energy relations between the UAE and India. Through our world-class Ruwais LNG Project, ADNOC will continue to provide more lower-carbon gas to meet growing global demand, fuel industries and power homes.”

EnerMech will continue to provide Dubai Petroleum with crane maintenance services across its offshore assets. (Image source: EnerMech)

EnerMech has secured a two-year contract extension with Dubai Petroleum for the continued supply of crane maintenance services across the operator's offshore assets  

The contract scope includes planned and corrective maintenance with dedicated site personnel covering the multiple assets in the fields. This also includes additional call off services and onshore servicing and refurbishment of crane components, including procurement of spares and engineering upgrade solutions for obsolete equipment. 

The UAE and the wider Middle East constitute an important growth region for EnerMech, a specialist service company which delivers integrated solutions for complex energy projects. The company has been established in the Middle East since 2009 and has a presence in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq and Oman. It has bolstered its presence in the Gulf with a series of contract wins as part of a long-term strategy to increase services to local clients.  In February, Enermech announced it had secured a five-year contract extension to provide Qatar’s North Oil Company (NOC) with leak testing and flange management services, for the Al Shaheen oilfield, Qatar’s largest oilfield. The contract covers a range of services, including bolt tensioning and torquing, pipe freezing and training.

Charles ‘Chuck’ Davison Jr., EnerMech CEO, said, “We are ambitious in our aims in the Middle East and the extension of this contract is material evidence of the fine work that our regional team has undertaken for Dubai Petroleum over the initial phase of work.  

“Our lifting solutions service line personnel are renowned for delivering safe, efficient operations which provide our customers with industry leading capabilities and I commend them for achieving this strategically important extension.” 

The Acrolon 680 single-coat topcoat delivers speed, efficiency and durability to coating an array of industrial- and marine-related assets. (Image source: Sherwin-Williams)

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine has launched the Acrolon 680 single-coat topcoat for industrial and marine-related assets

The high-performance direct-to-metal (DTM) polyurethane coating reduces application time and material usage via its minimal surface preparation requirements, quick dry times and excellent one-coat coverage in an easy-to-apply formulation.

The high-solids polyurethane can be applied to marginally prepared surfaces, specifically SSPC-SP2 hand tool cleaned surfaces with tightly adherent rust. In addition, it can be applied direct to metal (DTM) in a single, high-build coat, eliminating the time required for installations of comparable multi-coat acrylic or alkyd systems. The coating can be applied by spray, brush or roller.

Acrolon 680 delivers outstanding chemical resistance and a tougher, more durable finish than traditional acrylics and alkyds. This volatile organic compound (VOC)-compliant coating features 65% volume solids and contains less than 340 g/L VOCs, making it a high-performance solution for a wide range of industrial applications. Suitable for use on tanks, piping, valves, structural steel, marine vessels and equipment exposed to harsh chemical processing environments, Acrolon 680 provides reliable protection and long-lasting performance.

This technology meets SSPC Paint 36 standards and provides a high-gloss finish and excellent colour retention to assets.

“Acrolon 680 provides simplified, yet robust, protection for surfaces not prepared with advanced methods, whether you’re producing new components, equipment or structures, or you’re cleaning up your existing assets,” said Paul Trautmann, marketing director, Infrastructure, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine. “It can be used anywhere steel needs a single-coat and long-term protection. Given its ease of application, Acrolon 680 is the premier choice for production efficiency.”