GL Establishes New Training Facility for Dubai

Dubai, 18 December 2008 - With the opening of the new training institution GL Academy Dubai, classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) caters to the rising demand of maritime seminars for the Middle East shipping community. GL Academy is Germanischer Lloyd's advanced training institution in the maritime sector. The first seminar in Dubai will be held in January 2009, a seven-day course entitled "Certified Coating Inspector according to IMO PSPC". Further twelve topics are scheduled for 2009.

Hans-Ulrich Schulze, Head of the GL Academy, welcomes the expansion in Dubai: "The maritime industry in the Middle East is growing rapidly in ship repair, conversion and ship building. Over the last few years GL Academy has developed a large number of seminars which are tailor-made to the demands of shipowners and shipyards. Dubai will further enhance this activity with additional resources in terms of qualified tutors, facilities with more frequent number of seminars."

"Dubai Maritime City - the world's first purpose-built maritime centre - is a manifestation of Dubai's commitment to become a central maritime hub in the region", adds Ashraf El Sherbiny, GL's Country Manager United Arab Emirates (UAE) who is representing GL Academy in Dubai. "We already conducted education courses in Dubai in the past."

GL Academy Dubai is part of the GL Academy international network which conducted 150 seminars with 3,000 participants worldwide in the first half year of 2008. In June 2008 the branch office GL Academy Hellas in Greece was established. More branch offices will be opening at strategic locations in 2009.

Already operating an office in Dubai, Germanischer Lloyd offers regional as well as international support in the region Middle East. The society employs twelve experts in Dubai serving shipyards, maritime supply industry and shipping companies. The spectrum of services includes newbuilding supervision, ship in service inspections, ISM, QMS and ISPS certification, quality management certification and approval of workshops / shipyards.

Worldwide, Germanischer Lloyd conducts safety surveys on board of 6,800 ships with about 77 Mio GT. With a staff of 5,300 employees, engineers and other experts GL maintains a global network of 208 stations in 77 countries.

Office address of GL Academy Dubai:
Sheikh Zayed Road: PO Box 8015
Flat No. 502, White Crown Bldg.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 3328842
Fax: +971 4 3321819
E-Mail: gl-dubai@gl-group.com

Germanischer Lloyd press release