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?
Meet Will Duggan | Marine Engineer, Longitude Singapore
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a Mechanical Engineer by degree but worked as a Marine Engineer on Passenger Boats and Tugs on the Thames for a year as part of a full-time placement for my degree. I then applied for the Engineer Development Programme (EDP) at ABL Group, during my Masters year at university and eventually started in the ABL Aberdeen office with the MWS team. I
am now in my 4th and final year of the EDP and I am spending this with Longitude Engineering, based in their Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore.
2. What has been your favourite project that you have worked in over the past 3 years with ABL Group, and what are you looking forward to in your 4th year on the EDP?
It’s difficult to pick a favourite but the two which stand out are:
- Going offshore from Stavanger, Norway onboard the heavy-lift vessel Sleipnir to complete the second campaign of the decommissioning of the Dunlin A platform, where a record-breaking lift was completed when removing the platform’s MSF.
- Working on various marine systems scopes for the concept design of the Hyseas III Hydrogen Ferry which went on to achieve approval-in-principle from DNV.
In my 4th year, I am looking forward to completing the scheme and starting to think about where I am heading with my career as well as thinking about where I am possibly going to settle after moving around to various locations. I hope to get some more site / offshore projects in my 4th year so I can then finish the scheme with a good balance of design and operational experience, which I can then use to help the Group somehow in the future, whether as part of Longitude or another one of the Group companies.
3. Currently on a secondment to Longitude Singapore, what has been the most surprising part of moving halfway around the world?
Whilst I knew about it before moving, I’d say the time difference. It’s difficult with keeping up with friends & family back home as when they finish work, I’m already asleep, when I’m getting up for work, they’re off to bed and when I’m finishing work, they’re already in work. However, we manage to catch up with each other at the weekends and the time difference is definitely worth it for being able to travel around South East Asia so easily in my free time.
4. There are many key marine and energy areas that Longitude Singapore are working on. Can you tell us how your role focusing on marine systems and alternative fuels, contributes to the work being done?
I’ve supported a local pilot project where compressed Hydrogen will be used as fuel for auxiliary power aboard a ship. My role focused on safety considerations and regulatory compliance of the hydrogen piping systems. We are also involved with early-stage work on a range of projects such as a ship design that’ll feature battery-hybrid propulsion systems, a methanol fuel conversion, and several projects involving CO2 at sea. In each of these projects, mechanical and marine systems engineering are crucial to implementing safe, operable, maintainable, and
economically viable solutions for our clients.
5. Lastly what would you say to anyone thinking about joining the ABL Group EDP?
I’d probably say to consider where you would like to go with your career and what is your goal of being part of the EDP? If it is to travel, meet and work with a lot of new people in various teams and projects, experience different cultures and gain a wide range of industry experience without specialising early on then the EDP is great for this. The EDP has given me so many new opportunities and experiences that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Find out more about careers with Longitude and working with us in Asia Pacific:
Contact Longitude Asia Pacific
