Bureau Veritas has topped 8,000 ships in its classed fleet, which now totals over 60m gt. With the delivery of the high speed passenger ferry Superstar from Fincantieri to its owners Tallink in April 2008, the BV classed fleet reached more than 60.2 m gt and 8,000 ships.

The continuing strong fleet growth follows excellent financial results reported in April, with the BV group posting a turnover of Euro2.067bn, up 12 per cent on 2006, and adjusted net profit up 19 per cent. Both figures reflected guidance given before a successful IPO in October 2007, and the forecast for group growth in 2008 is 15 per cent overall. However the Marine Division outperformed the rest of the group in 2007 and continues to grow strongly, not only in the classed fleet but in a wide range of services to owners.

Bernard Anne, managing director of Bureau Veritas' marine division, writes in the BV Marine Business Review 2007-2008, "We have experienced strong growth during 2007 across the group, and the Marine Division put in a very strong performance. It is very much at the heart of the global BV group, leading by example. Our cutting edge research into very large containerships, fatigue and hydrodynamics in offshore structures, into ice navigation and into all aspects of gas carriage ensures that we are at the forefront of technology. At the same time close co-operation with Chinese and other design companies and heavy investment in training of surveyors and plan approval staff mean that we can meet market demand for CSR compliant ships quickly and ensure that modern, robust vessels are available to meet demand. This year will bring new challenges, in regulation, in getting cleaner, and in helping technical development of emerging shipyards in Asia. Bureau Veritas will be focusing its world leading resources on all three areas and we expect another successful year."

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