Meet Yuichi Nakayama, Marine Principal Surveyor
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’m often reviewing technical documents, inspecting vessels, and coordinating with underwriters and clients to support marine warranty surveys and casualty investigations.
The dynamic nature of maritime operations, where no two cases are the same, keeps me sharp every day.”
What drew you to our industry and what keeps you passionate about it?
What drives me is knowing that our work helps protect someone’s safety and peace of mind, even if they never see it directly. Whether it’s preventing an incident or responding quickly when something goes wrong, I’m proud to contribute to making maritime operations safer and more reliable for society as a whole.
Can you tell us about something exciting you are working on right now?
“I’m supporting several warranty and damage assessment cases involving cargo vessels, passenger vessels, and jack-up vessels.
What makes the work even more exciting is the variety; from post-loss surveys and risk prevention to projects across both traditional maritime and offshore wind sectors.”
What does the future look like in energy and oceans in Japan?
Japan’s maritime sector is facing big changes, from the adoption of LNG and alternative fuels to automation and decarbonisation initiatives. There’s a strong drive for innovation while still maintaining traditional strengths in shipbuilding and marine engineering.
Beyond the work, what’s your favourite part about being part of the ABL Group team in Asia? Any fun team moments you’d like to share?
What I really value is the strong sense of teamwork across both domestic and international teams. We support each other, whether it’s covering a project or sharing technical insight so I never feel like I’m working alone. That spirit of collaboration really keeps me motivated, especially when facing challenging tasks.
If you could change one thing about the maritime industry, what would it be and why?
I’d like to see faster adoption of digital tools and data transparency. The industry has so much valuable information, and unlocking that can improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
Why should people visit our ABL Stand at Bari-ship 2025?
Bari-ship is the perfect chance to connect face-to-face. Visit our stand F-71 to learn how ABL supports marine operations in Japan and beyond with local expertise, global reach, and a passion for getting things done right.
More about Yuichi
Position: Principal Surveyor
Office: ABL Kobe, Japan
Hobbies: Running (mainly on the road and occasionally on trails)
Favourite book: Japanese historical fiction
Favourite song: I enjoy all kinds of rock – from classic and hard rock to funk rock and metal
Next week, Yuichi Nakayama and P&I Casualty Services Manager, Hemant Phul will be representing ABL Japan at the Bari-Ship Conference in Imabari. Join them as they discuss ABL’s wide range of maritime services including managing the loss and support in salvage and removal operations, and marine casualty investigations across the region and beyond
Find out more about our delegation at the even and book a meeting: