Welding remains one of the most critical yet often overlooked elements in the Gulf’s infrastructure development. From oil pipelines and pressure vessels to bridges and marine platforms, welds are what hold ambitious projects together. But industry experts warn that gaps in certification, training, and traceability are putting long-term safety and reliability at risk.
According to Eng. Hussein al Salmi, Lead Welding & NDT Engineer at Petroleum Development Oman, the region is facing both a shortage of qualified welders and an overreliance on third-party manpower. Local projects are left vulnerable when skilled workers move abroad for better-paying opportunities, leaving behind crews who may lack the depth of expertise needed for complex steel structures and pressure vessels. The result, he says, is higher repair rates, increased defects, and safety compromises.
The challenge extends beyond workshops. Universities and training institutes in Oman are criticized for offering too much theory and too little hands-on experience. Experts argue that reform is needed at several levels: consistent adoption of international codes, accredited training and certification programs, and wider use of non-destructive testing (NDT) to safeguard quality. Al Salmi stresses that without robust NDT capacity, projects risk “flying blind,” with the potential for catastrophic failures.
Source:
Najah Al Riyami
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