Bureau Veritas Operating Profits Up 51 Percent

Leading international classification society Bureau Veritas announced first half operating profits of $54.17 million, up 51 percent on the same period last year. Net income rose 43 percent to $35.04 million on a 20 percent increase in turnover. A 19 percent growth in marine revenues, mostly due to growth in new building contracts, underpinned the strongly improved results. Bernard Anne, head of BV's marine division, says, "These excellent result right across our group are good news for our clients. Our strong financial position allows us to invest in training, IT, value added services and a true world-wide exclusive network of surveyors."