BV Strengthens Bulker Share Thanks to China Co-Operation

CLOSE co-operation with Chinese design companies and shipyards has helped Bureau Veritas strengthen still further its dominating position in the booming international bulk carrier market. In the period from January to July this year, more than 45 per cent of all handymax ships ordered worldwide were to Bureau Veritas class. And, of the 271 newbuilding bulk carriers on BV's books in July, no fewer than 230 were building at Chinese yards. This is clear testimony to the leading role enjoyed in this sector both by BV and by China. BV has established a successful relationship with leading Chinese shipyards and designers, with whom it has worked closely on orders for large numbers of bulk carriers building under the Common Structural Rules, in the development of which BV has played a leading role. At the end of October 2007, BV new orders in China this year had reached 898 ships totalling 11m gt, bringing the total Chinese BV orderbook to 1,064 ships (13m gt). BV has been present in China since 1890. Today BV employs 4,100 staff in China and has seven Marine offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tianjing, Guangzhou, Dalian and Qingdao. The dedicated plan approval offices ensure rapid service for local shipyards. * Bureau Veritas is a leading international service provider, dedicated to quality assurance, environmental, health, and safety, (QEHS) management services across a wide range of economic activities: Marine, Industry and Facilities, Government services, and Consumer Products. By far the largest classification and certification society, Bureau Veritas has over 24,000 employees and 600 offices in over 140 countries throughout the world.