“When I came to Shanghai 30 years ago, the first impression was the large population. There were very few cars on the street and bicycles everywhere. There was only one underground tunnel in the city, and some shipyards could be seen on the Huangpu River...” Claude Maillot said sentimentally.

For work reasons, Claude, chief executive for Marine & Offshore North Asia Zone and China of Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection andcertification (TIC), was able to witness the earth-shaking changes that have taken place since Shanghai's reform and opening up. Thirty years ago, he was still working in Hong Kong but his company often sent him to the Chinese mainland to check on the operation of foreign ships.

A hundred year history with Shanghai shipping development

Bureau Veritas has a deep historical origin with Shanghai. Claude said that more than 100 years ago, Bureau Veritas set up a representative office on the Bund. The reform and opening up of China has brought more trade and the inspection demand for ships has also increased. Under this background, Bureau Veritas came back to China in 1993.

Claude Maillot has an interview with Shanghai Orient Webcasting Co.