In 2010, the AAST-GE DP Center was established through a joint effort between GE and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Alexandria, northern Egypt, for the training of mariners. Operated by AASTMT, the facility now joins an elite group of only 12 centers in the world that are qualified by the Nautical Institute (NI) to offer Sea Time Reduction courses. This means that trainees are credited with 30 days of Sea Time when they complete 5 days of intensive training in the Class A Dynamic Positioning (DP) simulator.

Selected to continue supplying and operating the simulator as a joint project with the Academy for the next five years, GE has upgraded the facility with GE Marines Class A training simulator, reinforcing GEs commitment to promote more efficient and safe maritime operations in the offshore industry of Egypt and the region.

We are proud to partner with AASTMT on creating world-class training capacity for Egypt and the entire region, said Sofiane Ben Tounes, President and CEO, GE North East Africa. With over 900 of our DP systems deployed worldwide, the simulators in Egypt will add to our capability in training mariners for more efficient and safe maritime operations and help meet the needs of the offshore and petroleum services in the Middle East and beyond.

Dr. Ismail Abd Ghafar, President of the AASTMT, added: Since its inauguration the center has trained almost 800 students to become certified in operating DP systems. Todays announcement marks an even higher standard of training being offered. GE has been a central partner from the initial stages of this training center and they continue to play a role in ensuring the smooth upgrade of our systems. The technology that GE is providing for the training of mariners will allow us to offer a service that few other centers in the world can.

In order to run this Class A simulator, the center is utilizing hardware and software from GE Marine, including its C-series Dynamic Positioning and a simulator system. DP is an advanced ship position-control system which enables the vessel to maintain a stationary position or a precise course using its propulsion system, thrusters and rudders. Many of todays advances in deep water exploration may not be possible without it, hence this technology has become essential in offshore operations and DP training is now crucial to any professional offshore mariner. The center will also be equipped with a new Class A offshore crane simulator, the first of its kind for local operators to obtain offshore crane training in the Arab world.

Sofiane Ben Tounes: GE Marine drives innovation through the invention of new technologies and key local partnerships. We truly believe that the technology we are providing for the training of mariners will allow us to offer the best service possible for Egyptian professionals. It is our priority at GE Egypt to build and capitalize on local talent, and todays announcement is the first step for us to offer higher quality training for Egyptians.

In addition to upgrading this training facility, GE also invested $200 million to build a multi-modal manufacturing and training facility in Suez, Egypt. This facility will further strengthen local capability, build human capital and drive economies of scale. In addition, GE announced an expected 500 jobs to be created for Egyptian professionals in the next three to five years, and serve the transportation, aviation, energy, renewables and healthcare industries.