Bureau Veritas (BV) has appointed Rolf Stiefel as the company’s new regional chief executive based in Hamburg and responsible for central Europe: Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Russia
Mr Stiefel’s appointment is effective 1 May 2020, and he will be based in BV’s Hamburg office. He will succeed Dr Hans Gaetjens who is retiring in July, following a two-month handover period.
Mr Stiefel spent 17 years in engine sales for WinGD’s slow speed diesel and gas engines and helped in developing the market for WinGD’s X-DF gas fuelled engine. BV said he has also been at the forefront of technical and environmental issues facing the marine industry. He is exceptionally well placed to lead Bureau Veritas in the Hamburg based regional role.
Commenting on the appointment, BV north Europe zone vice president Herman Spilker said “Rolf is a very welcome addition to our team. He will provide the leadership we need at this challenging time for the industry and in a very important area of activity for BV. He combines the technical expertise and market facing skills necessary for this role.”
“Dr Gaetjens has led our activities in the region so capably. I wish him all the very best in his well-earned retirement from Bureau Veritas when he leaves us in July after the handover period.”
Mr Stiefel said the marine industry will need “safe, reliable and feasible technical solutions and services to be ready for the future,” adding “Working for BV provides a broader platform to engage with those future challenges. I am also convinced that my main engine experience will be useful as ship propulsion and fuels will be such a vital aspect of getting the industry safely to 2050.”
BV is also spearheading a group of companies in studying the possibility of using ammonia as a marine fuel.
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