"Asia's remarkable economic development offers a great platform for the maritime industry," said Dr. Hermann J. Klein, Member of the Executive Board Germanischer Lloyd, at the society's 140th anniversary dinner taking place in Dalian. The important and strongly developed industrial North East China area was chosen to celebrate GL's jubilee together with representatives of the shipowners, shipyards, supply industry and administrations of the maritime arena. As a technical supervisory organization with a global network, the society is responsible for the technical safety of more than 6,100 ships with over 66 million GT. 124 flag states - amongst others Hongkong / China - to perform statutory duties.