The Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport (also known as AASTMT or AAST) is an organization specialized in Science and Technology and Maritime Transport. Over the past years, the academy, which started as a regional maritime academy has received a worldwide recognition. This is due to its important contribution to the international maritime world and in particular to Egypt and African countries. The idea of establishing a regional maritime training institute was approved by the Transport Committee of the Arab League in 1970. Towards the end of 1971, the United Nations delegated a joint committee to the region which concluded its investigation by recommending the establishment of the institute under the name of "The Arab Maritime Transport Academy (AMTA)", In 1972, AMTA started to function, as a regional UNDP project, by offering maritime education and training to qualify seafarers in three streams: navigation, marine engineering, commercial studies (UNCTAD) and seamen training. The academy functions from a number of sites, the largest of which overlooks Abu Qir bay in Alexandria. A smaller branch is in Miami in Alexandria.