DNV growing in China

Bj?rn K. Haugland has no doubts about his objectives for DNV in China. “My mission is to give our customers first-class support and through that expand DNV?s business in this growing market. We consider China, and Greater China as a whole, as a real growth area,” says DNV?s regional manager for Greater China.

DNV has been rapidly expanding in China and recently the company set up offices in Nantong, Jiangsu Province and Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, bringing the DNV Greater China network to 31 offices in 21 cities. Supporting President Hu Jintao?s call for China to forge itself into an innovative and technically advanced county, DNV, backed up by its hundred and forty years of experience and an ongoing substantial investment in research and development, has readily taken up the role in training and supporting China?s diverse industries to grow along the technological-priority track.

Among its core operations, the maritime business is surging ahead, offshore activities growing at a steady pace and the industrial certification business is roaring along at near-breakneck speed. Last year, DNV?s China operation turned in revenues of RMB470m. 25% up on 2004 levels, with maritime accounting for 55 %, offshore for 15% and other industries representing 30%

With more clients come greater numbers of DNV staff, growing about 20% annually with now 450 employees in the Greater China Region. “Our employees are of course the key resource in our business, and I am satisfied that we have a very competent and committed organisation in place in the region to support our customers,” says Haugland. “Basically, our business is to manage risk. We do this by certifying the quality and safety of processes and products in the shipping, oil and gas and manufacturing industries,” says Haugland.

DNV is involved in all phases of a ships? life, through ship classification, statutory certification and fuel testing. This maritime tradition has attracted new opportunities in growth markets throughout the world, not least China. According to Haugland, China?s plans to triple its shipbuilding activities by 2015 will present great opportunities for DNV. He explains, “In China, we are setting the standard for how ships shall be built. We are involved in the design and construction process and the classification of ships in operation, and always ensure that they are meeting the minimum requirements that we set for safety,”

He also highlights DNV?s training academies in Shanghai, Dalian and Hong Kong, which share the latest hi-tech information with Chinese shipbuilders, designers and owners. “Technological competence will speed China on the path to become a powerful maritime giant,” emphasizes Haugland.

Since the early 1980s, DNV has also been involved in the oil and gas activities in China. DNV has certified significant development projects by major Chinese and foreign oils firms in the Bohai Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea.

While DNV is known for its expertise in shipping and offshore sectors, a significant part of the company?s business in China is derived from its certification business. “The certification business spans across all industries, from certifying Tsingtao beer to big American car producers in Shanghai,” says Haugland. “The demand for certification of management systems is rising as companies seek to ensure quality products that can be sold to other countries,” says Haugland, adding, “To ensure the same quality globally, DNV runs a regular training programme in its overseas facilities.”

External certification training is another important service provided by DNV, and it now aims to further its reputation as a training specialist for risk management by offering a wider range of assessment services.