Dr Matthias Reith, director of German bulk carrier owner Orion Schiffahrtsgesellschaft Reith & Co of Hamburg, helped the North of England P&I club celebrate 21 years of working with the German shipping industry today. Speaking a major industry reception organized by the club at the Zipplehaus restaurant in Hamburg, Dr Reith said 'In 1982 Orion became the first company from Germany to join the North of England. The club now insures 36 fleets in Germany and works with 11 of the German-based brokers. Dr Reith said he was particularly pleased with the way the club had developed in Germany, from its initial Hamburg-based membership to involvement with shipowners from Bremen, Leer and elsewhere in the German shipping community.