International classification society Bureau Veritas has reported that its classed fleet has surpassed 9,000 vessels, totalling over 70 million GT.
Launching the 2009-2010 Marine Business Review, Bernard Anne, Managing Director of the Bureau Veritas Marine Division said that BV had ended 2009 with a fleet of 8,934 ships and has now 9,000 vessels and over 70 million GT.
"Challenging times are the best times for pragmatic optimists," said Mr Anne. "We are pragmatic because we have been leaders in shipping for a very long time, and we know how cyclical markets work, and we were ready for this.
"We are pragmatic because we have a very diversified fleet and expertise base, and because we are present in every sector of shipping and offshore energy and every part of the world, ready to harvest and sustain new ideas, while supporting the best of the old.
"And we are optimistic because when the market is shaken up it opens the way for new ideas, new technology, new ways of doing old things. If you can build on deep and diverse experience like ours then you can help others to innovate and adapt their strategies quickly to whatever challenges and opportunities the market turmoil throws up. Yes, we are all in for a tough time, but there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic for the future."
Mr Anne added that BV's Marine Business Review highlighted the work of BV's marine division across the whole range of shipping and offshore industries which BV serves.
"We ended the year with a strong orderbook of over 31 million GT of newbuildings," he said. "We are on track to double in size again in the next five years. 2010 may throw up some tough markets, but we will be there to share our optimism based on strength and diversity."
