GE, AASTMT Celebrate Opening of DP Vessel-Control Simulator (Egypt)

GE  Energy Management’s Power Conversion business and the Arab Academy of Science, Technology & Marine Transport (AASTMT) has this week celebrated the opening of a jointly developed, dynamic positioning (DP) vessel-control simulator in northern Egypt to address the demand for trained workers in the Egyptian and Arabian offshore energy industry.

Offshore vessels use DP systems to control their position and heading during operations in the oil and gas fields.

Located in Abu Qir at the eastern end of Alexandria, the simulator is the centerpiece of AASTMT’s fully accredited DP training school, which was created to support the workforce needs of local offshore companies in Egypt and the Arabian region.

The simulator features GE’s DP technology, an advanced ship position-control system that enables a vessel to use its propulsion system, thrusters and rudders to either maintain a stationary position and heading without dropping anchor or make small, exact movements on a precise course—both of which are essential when performing geospatially sensitive work including drilling, pipe laying and other offshore activities.

AASTMT selected GE to operate the simulator on behalf of the academy for five years. DP training will be offered primarily to Egyptian nationals but also will be available to workers throughout the African continent to promote offshore industry safety.

“We are pleased to be able to collaborate with a vital partner like GE that has extensive dynamic positioning experience and brand recognition, which gives additional credibility to our new venture as we expand our training portfolio into the offshore sector,” said AASTMT’s President Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar.

The simulator project illustrates GE’s localization strategy to establish government and industry partnerships in countries where the company operates to promote local economic development and employment opportunities.

“Our partnership with AASTMT in developing the dynamic positioning simulator reflects the company’s capacity in supplying digital control technology to meet the increasingly challenging logistical and workforce training requirements in the offshore energy sector in the region and throughout the world,” said Andy Cooper, marine services global leader for GE Energy Management’s Power Conversion business. “We are thrilled and honored to have been selected by AASTMT to join them in training future generations of offshore DP operators.”

GE has deployed more than 900 DP systems worldwide as part of its commitment to supply customers with efficient and reliable offshore exploration and production technologies available.

GE acquired Power Conversion (then known as Converteam) in September 2011. GE’s Power Conversion business applies the science and systems of power conversion to help drive the electric transformation of the world’s energy infrastructure. Designing and delivering advanced motor, drive and control technologies that evolve today’s industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future. It serves specialized sectors such as energy, marine, industry and all related services.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, September 13, 2012; Image: AASTMT