As the first chairman of the board in 1983 during the time of Professor Kokkinowrachos, he made the construction of the GMT. For years, Dr. Salzmann joined the Management Board and later on the Advisory Board. He has always made sure that GMT, as an independent institution, responds to the complex interests of its members, bringing together science, research and industry. After the death of Prof. Kokkinowrachos, Dr. Salzmann, Dieter Koenig and Dr. med. Schwarz jointly designed the necessary re-creation process and paved the way for a modern GMT.

As a member of the Management Board, many of which also acted as Managing Director, he initiated and supported a large number of research and development projects. Like few others, he has understood the happenings in the international offshore world, both on the technology side and the market. At offshore conferences in Germany and abroad, he has helped GMT members participate in his network, thus making them internationally visible.

has served as chairman and general manager of GMT for many years. He has strengthened the synthesis between science, research and industry as well as initiating and accompanying large collaborative projects. He has taken the link between GMT and politics to a new level, as has GMT's position with regard to other maritime associations. Dr. Schwarz has placed the ice technology in Germany in many functions nationally and internationally and without it, they would not exist in today's form.