Meet the team: Fabio Borda | ABL Brazil
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?
Fabio Borda, Naval Architect & Ocean Engineer | ABL Rio de Janeiro
What do you do at ABL?
Here at ABL I provide loss management expertise covering marine casualty investigation and expert witness support in marine claims, disputes and litigation. This type of work requires experienced, knowledgeable and reliable expertise delivered with integrity.
I also support clients in their commercial decision making and planning, by providing a wide range of specialised technical engineering and consulting services. Our services aim to fully define a client’s unique technical challenge, delivering focused advice or solutions tailored to the client needs to support the safe, efficient and sustainable execution of an operation or project.
What inspired you to go into the field that you are in? And what do you most enjoy about working at ABL?
I would like to answer these two questions together since for me they start at the same place.
Working for ABL was my first professional experience and over the past 5 years my time at ABL has been rewarding, continuously challenging and a learning experience. Throughout the years I have had the privilege to work alongside ABL’s highly experienced professionals. I enjoy the work environment and the experience our people have, as well as having been both inspired and frequently given a confidence boost.
As experts we always owe a duty to exercise reasonable skill and care to those instructing us. To seek the truth, is at the heart of all that we do and how we do it at ABL. It is the core of our business, in terms of being an impartial third-party. It is also at the heart of how we do business; we never compromise on quality and integrity, and we are transparent and open in our business ethics, and I believe that is what inspired me to further my knowledge in loss management.
Moreover, we are always envisioning the best strategy for our client, finding the best possible argument and solution given our experience and knowledge.
I believe working on the technical analysis of marine casualties helps naval architects to think outside of the box. We need to imagine how the structure is reacting to the undesigned loads and how the stability is being affected by the incident damages.
Finally, I am passionate about the work that I have the privilege to perform with ABL. Where everyday a new challenge arrives. Working collectively with a diverse group of people with a broad range of technical skills as well as an understanding of the cultures, customs, and sensitivities of the people from all over the world, whilst contributing to a safer and cleaner industry.
What is the most exciting part of the energy transition for you?
I believe what excites me the most is that the final goal is common to everybody. However, the path to it is diverse.
Energy can create transformational opportunities. An energy revolution based on renewables is urgently needed not just to accelerate economic progress, but also to reduce emissions.
The transition is not a uniform, one-size-fits-all process. It reflects diverse priorities and entails a combination of abilities, technologies, policies, finance, and resources. While the specific path to the end goal depends on individual circumstances, the destination is common.
What do you enjoy in your spare time?
I enjoy a mix of some time for myself when I put on some old vinyl records, as music is part of my life 24 hours a day, open a bottle of wine and a good old novel. There is a certain warmth in maintaining your individuality and thinking by yourself.
The other part of the mix, I enjoy a good time with family and friends at the mountains or beachfront while having some good wine or beer and an amazing conversation. Because being happy without a reason with the people we love is the most genuine form of happiness.
ABL Group Brazil includes a local branch of group company OWC – the Offshore Wind Consultants – providing expert advice and technical services to support the country’s development plans for offshore and floating wind, as well as other energy transition technologies.
Find out more by getting in contact with our teams in Rio de Janeiro.