“As the largest region in ABL, these meetings are integral to strengthening collaboration between countries and technical teams, exchanging best practices and knowledge, and in identifying key areas for growth, to ensure that we are best placed to support our clients and markets.

“In 2024 we saw significant growth in the region in several areas. We expanded our Black Sea operations with a new office in Constanta, Romania. We diversified our service portfolio with the introduction of the water management and numerical modelling consultants, Hidromod – which also substantially reinforced ABL’s operations in the strategic market of Portugal. Lastly, we continued to develop our presence and activities to support African marine and energy markets, with gains made in Nigeria, Senegal and Mauritania, and the Republic of Congo.”

Hugues Delanoue, Regional Managing Director for ABL in Europe and West Africa

The meeting was the first in which Hidromod was able to participate since its acquisition by ABL’s parent company, ABL Group, in October 2024. It, therefore, was a chance to deepen understanding across the regional operations, of Hidromod’s unique expertise and software solutions to support hydrological forecasting in different marine, energy and agricultural scenarios.

Other topics for discussion covered ABL’s European and West African offering in the following areas: marine warranty survey (MWS), dynamic positioning (DP) and critical systems, rig inspections operations, maritime services including ports and harbours consulting and engineering, electrification and the expansion of ABL’s expertise in both technical due diligence and owner’s engineering for energy and maritime sectors.

ABL Europe and West Africa includes offices in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Holland, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Romania, Senegal and Turkey.

ABL Europe and West Africa in the news in 2024

ABL won a wide range of contracts across energy and oceans in 2024, including several significant energy infrastructure projects for European and African countries, as well as to support high-profile renewable energy construction projects, and the development of emerging energy transition technologies.

Here is a small selection:

ABL to assess navigational risk for Finland’s 1st open-sea offshore wind farm. Read more.

TenneT appoints consultancy ABL for Dutch 2GW export cables. Read more.

ABL part of North Sea green hydrogen initiative. Read more.

ABL to support offshore installation of French-Spanish interconnector. Read more.

ENI drafts ABL for Congo floating LNG transportation and installation verification. Read more.

ABL electrifying zero-emission offshore charging station. Read more.

ABL to provide marine warranty survey for Neptun Deep in the Black Sea. Read more.

The post ABL Europe & West Africa Power Up for 2025 appeared first on ABL.

Structural engineer and experienced energy professional, Hugues Delanoue, has been appointed to the new role of Regional Managing Director for ABL’s operations in Europe and West Africa.

Delanoue has over 15 years of experience within ABL Group, having joined as a project engineer and then project manager with involvement in both oil and gas and renewable energy projects.

He assumed the role of Managing Director to ABL France at the local operations’ inception. Since that time, Delanoue has overseen the growth of ABL France to span a team of over 20 technical consultants, with a project track-record covering renewables, maritime and oil & gas across the local market, Benelux countries, Iberia and Francophone Africa.

“Hugues has been the driving force behind the development of ABL France to its market-leading consultancy status of today. He has overseen the team’s impressive project experience, including contributing to all of France’s active offshore wind projects to date. As well as this, he has managed the expansion of the team’s technical excellence to support other Francophone markets, notably in the Republic of Congo. I very much look forward to seeing what he will achieve in his new role as Regional Managing Director.”

Ben Lazenby, CEO of ABL – an ABL Group company

Delanoue’s multi-disciplined expertise includes marine warranty survey (MWS) and owner’s engineering, with specialisms in transportation and installation (T&I) campaigns for subsea developments and offshore lifting operations in deep and shallow waters, as well as load out, sea transportation and towage.

“I am really excited to take on this new role. In my time at ABL Group I have witnessed the continuous growth and expansion of our expertise and global footprint. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this transformative development of our organisation, as we support our markets in the challenges they face.”

Hugues Delanoue, Regional Managing Director for ABL in Europe and West Africa

Delanoue assumes the role from Ian Cummins, who has taken on the role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). He will begin his new role as of the 1st October, with a gentle transition period from his current position, until the new Country Manager for ABL France is appointed.

ABL’ s operations in Europe and West Africa include offices in the England, Scotland, France, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria.

ABL is the energy and marine consultancy branch of global consultancy ABL Group. 

Discover more about ABL in France via a selection of our recent news:

• ABL France moves to a new office. Read in full
• ENI drafts ABL for Congo Floating LNG transportation and installation verification. Read in full
• Thibault Vinet joins ABL France as Snr Naval Architect. Read in full
• ABL defines tidal power exclusion zone offshore France. Read in full
• ABL to support offshore installation of French-Spanish interconnector. Read in full

The post Hugues Delanoue to lead ABL in Europe and West Africa appeared first on ABL.

Highly experienced marine engineer and principal surveyor, Alexander Shterev, is to take on the new role of Country Manager for ABL in Romania.

Shterev, a long-standing colleague in ABL’s expanding Black Sea operations, is an ex-Chief Engineer and Marine Superintendent, with nine years of seafaring experience and more than 20 years as a marine surveyor.

His track-record in maritime, covers a large variety of vessel types, with particular expertise in capesize bulk carriers, reefer vessels and yachts. 

Since coming ashore, Shterev has been an integral part of ABL’s marine consultancy team in Bulgaria, providing a range of technical services to de-risk and drive value in both maritime and offshore energy projects in the Black Sea. Shterev specialises in superyacht surveying, hull and machinery (H&M) claims support and marine warranty survey.

He takes on his new position having been a driving force in the inception of ABL’s operations in Romania, based in Constanta.

“Alex is a valued member of our team not only in the Black Sea, but in supporting clients across Europe with marine solutions. Having been central to setting up our Romania office and helping drive many of our projects in the Romanian offshore energy space, Alex is the ideal candidate to take our local operations further, so we can support more clients in this important chapter in the Black Sea’s history.”

Lyubomir Djambazov, Sub Regional Director for ABL in the Black Sea

ABL Romania provides energy, marine and engineering consultancy solutions to support projects and assets across renewables, maritime and oil & gas sectors. The team has been providing marine warranty survey (MWS) on two of Romania’s most significant offshore energy construction projects in recent years – the Midia Gas Development and Neptun Deep.

Some of the ABL Romania team: Loredana Carcea, Technical Assistant, Alexander Shterev, Country Manager, and Alexandra Coman, Engineering Manager.

In addition to this, utilising the wider ABL Group’s in-house expertise in renewable energy consulting, ABL Romania has supported the Black Sea’s first steps into offshore wind and floating solar with feasibility and market studies.

The local operations has rapidly grown and continues to do so, with a multi-disciplined engineering team, led by engineering manager Alexandra Coman, and assisted by technical assistant Loredana Carcea. ABL’s wider Black Sea operations include offices in Bulgaria and Turkey.

ABL is the energy and marine consultancy branch of Oslo-listed global consultancy ABL Group.

Discover more on our experience in Romania and the wider Black Sea or get in touch with the team in Constanta, Romania, to discuss how we can support your project or asset in energy and oceans:

The post Alexander Shterev to lead ABL Romania appeared first on ABL.

“It was an immense privilege to host this insightful and important technical discussion on the prominence of the Black Sea in shoring up European energy security, and namely the important part Romania has to play in this. Following the completion of Romania’s 1st offshore energy construction in around 35 years – the Midia Gas Development – we are looking ahead to a really promising chapter in Romania’s proud energy history. Both ongoing plans in oil & gas and national appetite for diversification into renewable energy, boast significant opportunity for local market development for years to come, attributing to a more sustainable energy future.”

Lyubomir Djambazov, ABL Black Sea Director

The panel discussion focussed on the following key questions:

• The Black Sea as key to European Energy Security: What’s the status on energy production and what are the challenges?
• Black Sea energy diversification: What does the future look like?
• How can the maritime sector support this?
• Concluding remarks: What does the future hold?

Chaired by ABL’s Principal Subsea and Pipeline Engineer, Sritama Sarkar, the panel also included industry representatives from Black Sea Oil and Gas, as well as consultants in engineering, maritime and renewable energy, from ABL and its sister company, OWC:

• Bogdan Vacarelu – Operations Manager, Black Sea Oil & Gas
• Anton Assfoura – Green Energy Project Manager, Black Sea Oil & Gas
• Alexandra Coman – Engineering Manager, ABL Romania
• Daniel Wood – Head of Ports Compliance, ABL Europe
• Craig Brown – Head of Market Studies, OWC

“We are very grateful to have had Black Sea Oil & Gas join this discussion and add their unique insights as one of the Romania’s leading energy companies. Their presence reflected the importance of this discussion to our national industry, and echoed the need in the market for industry collaboration not only in Romania, but also along our Black Sea neighbours to support the next decades of energy development.

Lyubomir Djambazov, Director ABL Black Sea

Commenting on the opportunity presented to the Romanian market, to build up the local talent pool and supply chain to support the project pipeline ahead, Engineering Manager Alexandra Coman says:

“The Black Sea region has long been a crucial link in the global energy. (…) The future of Black Sea energy diversification holds immense promise, but requires bold vision, decisive action, and unwavering commitment. We as engineers in the region, are at the forefront of this transformative journey.”

Alexandra Coman, Engineering Manager, ABL Romania

The event, which took place on Thursday 9^th May in Constanta, Romania, marked the official opening of ABL Romania and welcomed guests from oil & gas, renewables, maritime and insurance industries across Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Find our more about ABL the wider ABL Group operations in Romania, through our recent news:

• OWC conducts Black Sea offshore wind feasibility study. Read the PR in full.
• ABL to provide marine warranty survey for Neptun Deep in the Black Sea. Read the PR in full.
• ABL launches Romanian operations to support Black Sea energy. Read the PR in full.

The post Romania poised for a sustainable energy future appeared first on ABL.

Challenges

• This was the first major Oil & Gas project after approximately 35 years in the Black Sea
• Challenging Regulatory Body in Romania for approvals
• Once the project started, the sub-contractors led to project delays

Our Solutions

• Marine warranty services for all stages of the projects.
• Briefly, MWS during construction/building/commissioning of the ANA platform
• Project management review, design, calculation and drawings, control on-site during fabrication and installation, weight control for jacket and topside towing arrangements calculations, load out and installation, welding quality control, review sea fastening design and control of all heavy parts during the project
• Umbilical load out and sea fastening design, umbilical lay down and trenching operations
• Suitability surveys of Jack Up Rig, DSV, OSV, PSV, Heavy lift floating cranes, pipe laying barge
• Witnessed various DP trials and tests prior to project mobilisation, field entry

Related services and sectors

Dynamic Positioning (DP) & Critical Systems

We provide an experienced multi-disciplinary team of engineering and operational resources to support Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems globally covering technical, assurance and project management scopes of work. We aim to assist clients to operate and validate their DP systems according to their units’ specific industrial mission, including drilling units, project and construction vessels, DSVs, accommodation […]

Find out more

Vessel Condition Surveys

A vessel condition survey is a statement of fact. ABL Group vessel surveyors and inspectors report on the condition of a particular vessel’s hull and machinery, and other equipment condition at the given time of the inspection. The survey will typically determine the working or operational condition of equipment and management systems, including their certification […]

Find out more

MWS: Oil & Gas

ABL Group has long and wide-ranging experience in supporting oil and gas infrastructure projects as MWS, de-risking projects offshore and onshore, of any size, type, water depth and anywhere in the world. Our involvement in MWS for oil and gas projects dates back to the early days of the market, approving marine operations on the […]

Find out more

The post Midia Gas Development Project appeared first on ABL.

This year, Posidonia takes place from the 3rd to the 7th of June. ABL will of course be there for the entire week represented by out local team of experts and complimented by our international delegation.

Meet ABL to discuss our services:

• Ports and Harbours Consulting
• Marine Assurance & Risk
• Marine Warranty Survey
• Clean Shipping Solutions
• Emissions Consulting
• Marine Casualty Management
• Expert Witness & Litigation

Who will be there:

• Maria Dragoumerli, Country Manager Greece
• Vangelis Sallis, Consultant Marine Surveyor, ABL Greece
• Nikiforos Pililis, Consultant Marine Surveyor, ABL Greece
• Ben Lazenby, ABL CEO
• Mark McGurran, ABL Group Global Managing Director Maritime
• Paul Martin, Managing Director Maritime, Europe & West Africa
• Wayne Neves, Managing Director Maritime MENA & India
• Paul Johnston, Client Relationship Director, ABL London
• Steve McCarthy, Associate Director Marine Services, ABL London
• Paris Mangriotis, Engineering Director, ABL London
• Adam Jackson, Head of ABL Yachts
• Hugues Delanoue, Managing Director, ABL France
• Karl Walter, Senior Surveyor, ABL South Africa
• Christoph Grams, Marine Consultant, ABL Germany
• Alexander Shterev, Principal Surveyor and Director ABL Romania, ABL Varna
• Alexandra Coman, Senior Naval Architect, ABL Romania
• Vasilis Giotas, OWC Country Manager, Greece
• Christina Onisiforou, Graduate Offshore Engineer, OWC Greece

ABL brings together the deepest pool of multi-disciplinary expertise to support all areas of shipping, from early advisory and technical due diligence, navigational planning, early engineering, vessel design and modifications, through to operations, with surveys, inspections and audits, as well as world-class marine warranty survey, to supporting in the minimising of losses with marine casualty management, salvage and wreck removal, and expert witness work. Contact us to book a meeting with a member of our team during Posidonia or find out about our Networking Event held on Wednesday 5th June, from 17:00.

The post Discover ABL’s Global Footprint at Posidonia 2024 appeared first on ABL.

What does your day-to-day look like at ABL?

My daily work includes participation in various projects and cases from Hull & Machinery to offshore projects. I conduct surveys on-site and implement reviews of the reports and documentation for cases carried out in the region.
Additionally, I’m involved in the business aspect of our operations in the Black Sea region, collaborating with the Country Managers and colleagues to grow as a business and identify opportunities where our solutions are applicable in Maritime, Oil & Gas, Renewables and Engineering Consultancy.

What inspired you to join the industry?

I was born and grew up in a beautiful city on the coast of the Black Sea called Varna. Like every little boy I loved to stare at the horizon and dream that one day, I would become the captain of my ship or at least a brave fisherman experiencing a lot of adventures. At the same time, I have always possessed the curiosity to understand how things work and what they are made of. So, my love for the sea and my curiosity led me to my future profession, namely marine engineering. As such I had the chance to travel over seas and my childhood dream came true. I have more than 10 years of experience as a Marine Engineer, gaining valuable knowledge and facing all kinds of challenges.

I joined the Salvage Association in 2006 now incorporated into the ABL Group and from then till now I have not only grown and developed together with the company, but I can also say that I have been part of the team here in the Black Sea Region who aided on the expansion of our business.

Can you tell us about something exciting you are working on right now?

I’m always busy working on several projects at a time. We just completed a very interesting and rewarding load-out in Romania on a renewable energy project and I’m currently working on Hull & Machinery (H&M) cases which require out unique damage investigation expertise.

What does the future look like in energy and oceans in the Black Sea?

One of the most likely scenarios is the Renewable Energy Expansion. There will probably be an increased focus on renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power in the Black Sea region. Countries bordering the Black Sea will invest in renewable energy infrastructure to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. The Black Sea’s relatively shallow waters make it suitable for offshore wind energy development. Countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Ukraine may explore the potential for offshore wind farms to harness the region’s wind resources.

The Black Sea is also known to have significant hydrocarbon reserves, and countries bordering the Black Sea have already been involved in oil and gas exploration and production in the region. Future developments in technology and exploration techniques could lead to further discoveries and extraction activities.

Investment in maritime infrastructure, such as ports and shipping routes, may increase to facilitate trade and energy transport in the Black Sea region. This could involve the expansion and modernisation of existing ports and the construction of new infrastructure to support growing maritime activities.
Given the transboundary nature of the Black Sea, international collaboration and cooperation will be crucial for addressing common challenges such as pollution, overfishing, and maritime security.

More about Alexander Shterev

Position: Director ABL Romania, Principal Surveyor
Office: ABL Bulgaria
Hobbies: Reading
Favourite book: “Peter Simple” from Frederick Marryat

We will be hosting an official launch party for our new office in Constanta, Romania, as part of our growing Black Sea Operations on the 9th of May in the evening. We will be hosting an exclusive industry panel discussion, bringing together perspectives from different industry stakeholder in the local market, together with our own expertise from the perspective of a marine warranty surveyor and a maritime consultant. Find out more and register your interest to join:

The post Meet Alexander Shterev, Principal Surveyor and Director ABL Romania appeared first on ABL.

“We are delighted to be awarded by OMV Petrom the opportunity to support this important energy development for Romania and the wider Black Sea. ABL brings significant experience in marine warranty, engineering, consulting and surveying across the Black Sea region. We are also continuously cementing our commitment to the region with the development of our offices in Bulgaria, Turkey and our more recent office opening in Romania.”

Shai Tzucker, ABL’s Managing Director of energy services in Europe and West Africa

The Neptun Deep project is the largest natural gas project in the Romanian Black Sea. Production is expected to start in 2027 contributing to the region’s energy security.

ABL’s London operation has won the contract to provide MWS services to review, survey and approve all operations relating to the Transportation & Installation (T&I) of critical project assets for development of both Domino and Pelican South fields. ABL’s scope of work includes the T&I of the shallow water platform, subsea installation at both fields including a 160 km subsea pipeline from the said platform to the shore.

The shallow water platform will be fabricated at yards in Italy and Indonesia. ABL’s project management will be centralised in London, whilst much of the operational and on-site attendances will be delivered by ABL’s local Black Sea operations. ABL’s wider global team will also support the project’s global supply chain, including its Indonesian operations based in Jakarta and Batam.

“This energy infrastructure project will also play an important role in supporting Europe’s longer-term energy security. As such, we are pleased to offer our capabilities to support the delivery of the project.”

Sergio Leone, MWS Project Manager and Business Development Lead for Europe and Africa

ABL, which is part of Oslo-listed ABL Group ASA, is an independent energy and marine consultancy specializing in solutions to de-risk and drive the energy transition across renewables, maritime and oil and gas sectors.

Join ABL to mark the Launch of ABL Romania | Thursday 9th May, Constanta

ABL Romania is hosting an official launch event on Thursday 9th May, from 16:00, to mark the opening of its new office, which is the latest expansion of ABL’s operations in the Black Sea, to support the delivery of the region’s offshore oil & gas projects, whilst supporting the development of Romania’s energy transition strategy.

The launch event will begin with a collaborative industry panel discussion, bringing together stakeholders from Romania’s oil & gas, maritime and renewable energy industries, to discuss:

Delivering Black Sea Energy Today and Transitioning to a Net-Zero Future:

The risks and rewards on the horizon

Leading questions to discuss:

• The Black Sea as key to European Energy Security: What’s the status on energy production and what are the challenges?
• Black Sea energy diversification: What does the future look like?
• How can the maritime sector support this?
• Concluding remarks: What does the future hold?

We hope to see you there!

The post ABL to provide marine warranty survey services for Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea appeared first on ABL.

ABL Romania’s office will provide the company’s full technical service offering, including: offshore technical due diligence, rig inspections and rig moving, marine inspections and surveys, marine warranty survey, renewable energy consultancy, maritime services including ports consulting, and energy transition engineering, including expertise in carbon capture technology.

“ABL has been at the forefront of supporting the delivery of some of the Black Sea’s biggest steps in energy development, including Romania’s first offshore oil & gas project in approximately 35 years, the Midia Gas Development Project. Launching ABL Romania cements our commitment to the safe and sustainable delivery and operations of the country’s oil & gas infrastructure, whilst expanding our diverse engineering and consultancy offering to support Romania’s transition to a net-zero future.”

Ian Cummins, Regional Managing Director for ABL Europe and West Africa

ABL has been present in the Black Sea region since 2003, starting with an office in Bulgaria, then expanding to Turkey. An office in Romania is the next logical step. It will support the country’s oil and gas and maritime markets, plus its growing plans for renewable energy and transitionary technologies.

“Romania is an important market for renewable energy development in the Black Sea. As well as having a favourable natural resource potential, its government recognises the critical importance of diversifying its energy mix for both national and international energy development. With wind, solar PV, CCUS and hydrogen all being actively looked at, we have the services and track-record to support Romania in its net-zero ambitions.”

RV Ahilan, Chief Energy Transition Officer, ABL Group, Parent Company to ABL

The office is located at 4^th Dimitrie Cantemir Street, 2^nd floor, 3^rd office, Constanta, Romania 900743.

Photo of the team at ABL Romania.

ABL is part of the leading global independent consultancy ABL Group ASA – delivering energy, marine, engineering and digital solutions to drive safety and sustainability in renewables, maritime and oil & gas markets.

ABL Romania Launch Party | Constanta, 9th May

ABL Romania will be hosting an official launch event and industry panel discussion in Constanta, Thursday 9th May, to bring together stakeholders from renewables, maritime and oil & gas industries to discuss the delivery of Black Sea energy and its renewable energy and energy transition goals:

Delivering Black Sea Energy Today and Transitioning to a Net-Zero Future

The Risks and Rewards on the Horizon

Find out more about the event and register your interest to join:

The post ABL launches Romanian operations to support Black Sea energy appeared first on ABL.