Meet Ashwin Parambath, Regional Manager, Ports and Terminals, Americas
The team at ABL Group shares the passion, vision and values for working in energy and the world’s oceans, de-risking and driving the energy transition. We are driven by the idea that the best work is born from professionalism, diligence… and fun. You know ABL Group, but do you know our team?
What does your day-to-day look like at ABL ?
“My day at ABL involves managing projects in my pipeline, supporting my team and clients worldwide, and preparing materials for potential opportunities. I stay informed about upcoming projects, connect with industry peers and decision-makers, and ensure ABL is well-positioned to win new work.
I also advise prospective clients on optimising their operations to maximise value, often leading to opportunities to provide operational support throughout the lifecycle of their assets”
What inspired you to join your industry?
From as early as I can remember, I aspired to be an engineer, imagining myself crafting solutions to tackle the world’s major challenges. Over time, I realised progress in the real world often comes in small, incremental steps rather than ground-breaking leaps. This shift in perspective taught me to appreciate the process of making ideas tangible, even if imperfect.
Success is about making things work, solving implementation challenges, and embracing the journey. This realisation and satisfaction inspired me to join this industry and continues to fuel my passion today.
Can you tell us about something exciting you are working on right now?
ABL is serving as the marine warranty surveyor for the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project, overseeing the installation of a high-voltage DC (HVDC) line beneath the Hudson River to transport power from Canada to New York. My role involves monitoring the pull-in of the HVDC line from the seafloor onto land, ensuring it meets design parameters and addressing operational challenges.
The project’s complexity goes beyond engineering, scheduling was adjusted to protect a nearby bald eagle nesting site, and operations were carried out in sub-zero temperatures. What makes a project like this exciting is that solutions must be crafted around real environmental and operational constraints. Despite the challenges thrown our way, we developed ingenious solutions to make the project a success.
What do you think the future of energy and oceans looks like in the USA ?
The energy and oceans sectors in the USA are on a growth trajectory, driven by rising consumer demand and government initiatives promoting industrial development. While tariffs and other microeconomic shifts may create short-term disruptions, the outlook for US ports remains positive, with projected growth of around 2%, according to Moody’s ratings.
In high-density states, there’s a growing push to shift goods transport from roads to rivers, utilising waterways as highways. This creates opportunities for ABL to collaborate with port operators on developing efficient, future-ready facilities. Despite political noise, US infrastructure projects are often shaped by practical regulations. For example, while national policies may waver, FEMA guidelines still require climate change considerations for new structures, ensuring data-driven decisions prevail where it matters most.
What do you enjoy most so far about working as part of the ABL Group team in Houston?
The Houston office feels like a family, and the camaraderie here makes work even more enjoyable. We celebrate the little moments, like Auntrell’s daughter exploring classic film photography, Nicholas sharing stories of his family’s trip to witness a Tesla booster landing, or Ivan’s tales of near hole-in-ones on the golf course. There’s always something to laugh about, whether it’s reminiscing with David Ballads about solving problems from decades ago or simply catching up on life.
It’s a team that’s deeply connected, both personally and professionally, making every day rewarding and fun.
What can we expect from the ports and terminals market in the USA this year?
2025 looks promising for the ports and terminals market, with increased government spending in energy and infrastructure creating new opportunities. While some renewable energy projects may face delays, deregulation could encourage private investment and innovation in the sector. A key focus will be on advancing already funded projects that face challenges like resource competition, particularly for skilled engineering contractors. As technical partners, ABL will play a vital role in helping stakeholders develop effective solutions to bring these projects to completion.
We also anticipate the growing role of AI in infrastructure, potentially driving efficiency in areas like data center placement in natural cooling environments such as oceans or streams. ABL is actively engaging with government and industry partners to collaborate on these forward-thinking initiatives.
With strong potential for growth, ABL is well-positioned to expand its presence in the ports and terminals sector, taking on exciting development projects across the United States.
More about Ashwin
Position: Director Ports & Terminals
Office: Houston, Texas, USA
Hobbies: fishing, air rifle target shooting, gardening, small-scale livestock raising, and reading with a particular fondness for fiction.
Favourite Book: “I’m always reading fiction, with Colleen Hoover and Kristin Hannah being my recent favourites. Hoover’s emotional rollercoasters and Hannah’s unforgettable characters make for perfect late-night reads. I also ventured into Han Kang’s The Vegetarian, which left a lasting impact. It’s a haunting, unsettling story that stays with you long after the last page.”
ABL provides specialist expertise in marine studies, including technical due diligence, and engineering consulting services to assist in the development of new and existing port projects. Our team of experts offers extensive ports and harbours risk engineering and technical due diligence solutions to identify and mitigate risks, including formal risk assessments, navigational risk analyses and vessel manoeuvring simulations.