Christoph Hasche New Secretary of the GMAA

The German Maritime Arbitration Association also opens new office in Hamburg’s HafenCity

For almost 20 years in his role as Secretary of the GMAA (German Maritime Arbitration Association), Dieter Griebel, a leading figure in Germany’s shipping community, has made a significant contribution to the revival of maritime arbitration in Germany. Shortly after the establishment of the GMAA in 1983, Dieter Griebel took on the post of Secretary and, by supporting the Board, managed the matters of the Association. He quickly demonstrated how his boundless energy, international contacts and commercial understanding of the shipping business were of great benefit to the GMAA. Under his organisation, the number of arbitration proceedings taking place in Germany was able to increase several times over. It was not just the German shipping companies that came to value the advantages offered by GMAA proceedings - namely speed, cost-efficiency and competence – but also the P&I clubs from England and Scandinavia, shipping companies from Turkey to Holland and Baltic shipyards through to Ukrainian quay operators. Without a doubt, the highlight of „Mr. GMAA“ Dieter Griebel’s career was the staging of the hugely successful 17th International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators in Hamburg in October 2009. This event was characterised by the personal involvement of Dieter Griebel.

On account of his advancing years and for reasons of health, Dieter Griebel has requested that the Board passes on the post of Secretary to another safe pair of hands. With effect from 1 May, Dieter Griebel shall pass on his post as Secretary to the Hamburg lawyer and present Board member, Dr. Christoph Hasche. The headquarters of the GMAA will also be moved across to the Hanseatic Trade Center in Hamburg’s HafenCity. The GMAA’s financial matters shall be entrusted to the lawyer Esther Mallach. In relation to his new appointment to the post of Secretary, Christoph Hasche commented as follows: „It is a great challenge to be the successor of Dieter Griebel, and from its new office, the GMAA will certainly have a good overview of the shipping world. I shall do everything to extensively highlight the advantages of dispute settlement according to the GMAA procedure and the high quality of German arbitrators. Furthermore I am delighted that Dieter Griebel will continue to make his contacts available to us. “The Board plans to officially commemorate the services and contribution of Dieter Griebel in autumn of this year.

The new contract details of the GMAA from 1 May 2010 shall be:

GMAA - GERMAN MARITIME ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION
Office: Hanseatic Trade Center - Am Sandtorkai 41 - 20457 Hamburg, Germany
Posstal address: P.O.Box 11 03 71 – 20403 Hamburg, Germany
Tel. +49-40-36 80 32 13 Fax +49-40-36 80 32 92
[email protected] www.gmaa.de