Meet Jaejun Heo, Marine Engineer ABL South Korea
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?
A glimpse into your day at ABL & what keeps you on your toes?
“My day often begins by checking my schedule and inbox for any updates from clients or colleagues. I respond promptly, then move on to reviewing documents for ongoing projects including survey reports, memos, and case materials that support our MWS assignments.
When I’m on site, I follow the project manager’s checklist to ensure all client requirements are met. I focus on managing field operations efficiently, gathering as much accurate data as possible within the time available, and reflecting those findings clearly in my final reports.
Just as I get into the rhythm of one task, something new always comes up – a different project, environment, or challenge that requires me to head back into the field. That variety, and the opportunity to constantly adapt and problem-solve, is what keeps me on my toes every day.”
What drew you to our industry and what keeps you passionate about it?
At first, stepping into this role was a significant challenge. Having previously worked as a Technical Superintendent at a ship-owning company, my focus had always been on profitability and finding the most rational solutions. At ABL, however, the objective shifted, it became about making things possible safely. That change in perspective was both humbling and rewarding.
I often reflect on why I made the decision to leave my previous role and join ABL. That reminder keeps me motivated and passionate about what I do. Each new task brings a sense of excitement, an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to something meaningful.
Can you tell us about something exciting you are working on right now?
Recently, I had the opportunity to complete a local project with our Seoul team. It came with its fair share of twists and turns, but ultimately, it was a rewarding experience that brought us closer together and strengthened our teamwork.
I also had the chance to further develop my skills by conducting the annual JH-143A survey at domestic shipyards alongside my line manager, a great learning experience that deepened my technical understanding and field expertise.
With your experience in marine engineering projects across South Korea and the wider Asia-Pacific region, what emerging opportunities do you see for the maritime and offshore industries in the next five years
In the coming years, I see tremendous opportunities emerging across Korea and the wider Asia-Pacific region. Offshore wind will continue to expand across its full lifecycle – from cabling and installation to operations, maintenance, and port upgrades – with floating wind expected to play a major role. At the same time, vessel decarbonisation is accelerating, driving projects focused on EEXI/CII retrofits and the development of safety and operational standards for methanol and ammonia fuels.
We’re also seeing growing momentum in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain, from CO₂ aggregation and marine transport to offshore storage, which is generating strong demand for MWS and certification expertise. Alongside this, digitalisation is transforming the way we work, introducing sensor-driven predictive maintenance, remote surveys, and automated compliance systems. Decommissioning, too, is becoming increasingly important as older offshore assets reach the end of their service life.
Overall, I expect especially strong growth across the Korea–Japan–Taiwan corridor, where we’re witnessing rapid expansion in subsea cabling, port developments, and offshore demonstration projects.
Beyond the work, what’s your favourite part about being part of the ABL Group team in Seoul? Any fun team moments you’d like to share?
A memorable moment for me was when the team and nearby colleagues surprised me with a birthday cake. I was so focused on work that I didn’t even notice their plans until late in the afternoon which made the surprise even more special and fun. It’s small moments like that that make being part of the team in Seoul team feel like being part of a family.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
In a market where many competitors appear and disappear, we should preserve and strengthen the capabilities that are uniquely ours while continually seeking new growth opportunities. Seeking growth does not always mean creating something entirely new; identifying gaps in industry standards or establishing additional optional quality benchmarks we can offer clients are practical paths to sustainable growth.
Why should people come visit our stand at the Kormarine Conference?
Interest in JH-143 has been growing rapidly among underwriters and domestic EPCs, and our booth offers a great opportunity to showcase how ABL can support in this area. The Seoul office has also developed specialised risk management solutions for ports and harbours, which we’re excited to share with visitors.
Hydrogen is another key focus – as a complementary pathway for deep decarbonisation, especially in hard-to-abate sectors like steel, chemicals, aviation, shipping, and heavy industry. Reflecting this growing demand, we’ll also be highlighting ABL’s hydrogen expertise and recent project experience.
That said, the projects we’ve delivered locally represent only a small part of what ABL can do. Visiting our stand is the best way to get a real sense of our global experience, technical depth, and how we can support clients across the full energy and marine spectrum.
More about Jaejun
Position: Marine Engineer
Office: Seoul, Korea
Hobbies: Football, Watching baseball games
Favourite Movie: F1 The movie | Favourite Book: We Begin at the End – Chris Whitaker | Favourite Song: Beautiful things – Benson Boone
Next Week the ABL Korea team will be at KOMARINE 2025 in Busan! Visit us on stand 1F43-10 to discover how ABL supports clients with a wide range of marine and energy services across South Korea and the wider Asia-Pacific – from Marine Consultancy and Marine Warranty Surveys to Ports and Harbours, Shipping, and Casualty management.