Meet Jose Rosas, Country Lead, ABL Panama
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?
Give us a glimpse into your day-to-day life at ABL. What keeps you on your toes?
“I wear two hats at ABL – one in business development and the other as a technical consultant. On the business development side, my day-to-day involves liaising with colleagues across the organisation and engaging with clients and stakeholders in Panama and the wider region.
I attend several meetings and keep a close eye on industry trends to understand emerging needs. On the technical side, my work varies between field assignments carrying out surveys for loss prevention and loss management and desk-based tasks like report writing and desktop studies.”
What drew you to our industry and what keeps you passionate about it?
My father was a navy officer, and his career played a significant influence on my decision to pursue a path in the maritime industry. Also, I’ve always an interest in engineering, I find ships to be both fascinating and true engineering marvels, having made a huge contribution to our society.
Can you tell us about something exciting you are working on right now?
One project I’m working on as a consultant could significantly improve regional logistics and connectivity in Panama and surrounding areas. I’m also involved in a recent initiative where a shipowner requested crew-wide training to enhance safety performance. It’s been rewarding to contribute our expertise in loss prevention to support hundreds of seafarers.
What do you think the future of energy and oceans looks like in Panama and the wider Americas?
I believe the Americas will continue to play a vital role as a global energy provider, and Panama is well-positioned to become a strategic energy hub for the region. The Panama Canal will remain a critical maritime route, and I see opportunities for expanded port and logistics infrastructure not just around the Canal, but across the country and in Central America.
Beyond the work, what’s your favourite part about being part of the ABL Group team? Any fun team moments you’d like to share?
My favourite part is that every day is different; you can suddenly find yourself involved in an unexpected yet fascinating project. I also appreciate the collaborative spirit within ABL; we work well across disciplines and geographies.
In terms of fun moments, there are plenty! The Brazil team’s annual regattas and the group activities during our regional meetings have been especially memorable.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
I’d like to see the industry become more attuned to the human element, particularly when it comes to seafarers’ wellbeing. Many crew members still face restrictions on disembarking at certain ports, and there’s a lot more we can do to support their mental and physical health. Ultimately, improving seafarer welfare also enhances safety at sea.
More about Jose
Position: Panama Country Lead, Senior Consultant
Office: Panama
Hobbies: I am an adult fan of Lego, I also like model building, reading historical books, running outdoors, tasting and discovering wines and coffees and travelling.
Favourite Movie: The Wolf of Wall Street | Favourite Book: “The Time of the Hero” of Mario Vargas Llosa | Favourite Song: “Faithfully” of Journey.
Don’t miss Jose this week at the Panama Engineering Council Congress where he will be presenting on the topic: Una guía integral para puertos y terminales: mantenimiento, fallas, reparaciones y gestión de costos (A Comprehensive Guide to Port and Terminal: Maintenance, Failures, Repairs, and Cost Management)
Book a meeting with Jose at the event and discover how ABL’s engineering and consulting service is shaping the ports and terminals industry in North America and beyond. As experienced marine engineering consultants, we have an entrenched legacy of helping clients to find the right solution for them achieving sustainable, long-term growth.