GL Enjoys Order Boom

The boom in orders is continuing for Germanischer Lloyd (GL). Thanks to the classification orders for 45 ship newbuildings with a total volume of 1.4 million GT received in January 2004, the society was able to record the highest monthly order intake ever in its history. These newbuildings mainly comprise container carriers of all sizes, ranging from 1,200 TEU to 8,100 TEU. In addition, a number of multi-purpose cargo vessels and other ship types are also awaiting classification. After having grown in 2003, the order level reached a total of 11.7 million GT at the end of January 2004, as opposed to 7.5 million GT for the previous year. Reckoned by the number of ships over 100 GT under attendance, GL has advanced by one place to number 4 in the ranking of the ten major classification societies, with 5073 units (a market share of 11.6 percent) as per year-end 2003. In reflection of this development, Germanischer Lloyd has again increased its personnel level, namely from 1,962 at the end of 2002 to 2,148 at the end of 2003. Of the 186 new staff members, 104 are employed in Hamburg.