My ABS Aspire Journey

About Me & My Journey

Welcome!

I'm Sarar, a Mechanical Engineer with a passion for marine innovation, digital tools, and sustainable engineering.

This website documents my personal journey through the American Bureau of Shipping's prestigious Aspire Program – a globally-structured development track designed to shape future leaders in maritime classification and technology.

Over the course of four transformative rotations – Engineering, Survey, Technology, and Corporate – I gained hands-on experience in vessel inspections, technical plan reviews, emissions modeling, and global collaboration.

Through this site, you'll find highlights of my rotations, the skills I developed, and the insights I gained working at the intersection of tradition and innovation in the maritime industry.

Skills & Expertise

Core Technical Skills

Engineering Plan Review (ABS Rules, P&ID)

Techno-Economic Analysis

Emissions & Decarbonization Modeling

Marine Systems Engineering

Regulatory Compliance (IMO, IACS, GMDSS)

Software & Tools

MATLAB (Scripting & UI Development)

Power BI (Data Visualization & Dashboarding)

PowerApps (Tool Integration)

AutoCAD & SolidWorks

Simulink

Field & Inspection Experience

Vessel Inspection & Survey (FPSOs, OSVs, Oil Tankers)

Safety & Compliance Auditing (Welding, Firefighting Systems)

Shipyard Operations & Risk Management

Professional Competencies

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Technical Communication & Documentation

Stakeholder Engagement

Independent Project Execution

Agile & Adaptive Problem-Solving

First Rotation: Engineering at Singapore ESD

During my first rotation with ABS, I was involved in reviewing engineering plans for various vessel types, including FPSOs, OSVs, and oil tankers. This included systems such as lighting, piping, and machinery.

Technical Exposure

Reviewed engineering drawings and documentation for systems such as lighting, piping, and machinery in accordance with ABS Rules and Process Instructions (PIs).

Process Certification

Achieved certification in three engineering review processes, enabling me to independently assess and approve technical plans, calculations, and compliance manuals.

Professional Development

Built strong working relationships with senior engineers, gained deep insights into marine classification standards, and expanded my technical vocabulary across multiple disciplines.

      Key Achievements
      Strengthened technical foundation and expanded understanding of ship systems
Developed strong working relationships with senior engineers and technical leaders
Became certified in three ABS engineering processes
Gained ability to independently review technical drawings, calculations, and manuals

    

The fast-paced environment demanded adaptability, precision, and effective communication–skills that I actively honed throughout the rotation. I am grateful for the guidance of my mentors and colleagues, and I look forward to applying these learnings.

Second Rotation: Survey Rotation at Seatrium Tuas Shipyard

My survey rotation at Seatrium Tuas Shipyard exposed me to the realities of shipboard inspections, safety protocols, and the importance of attention to detail. I shadowed experienced surveyors, learned to identify hazards, and participated in real-world inspections.

Field Exposure

Accompanied experienced ABS surveyors on inspections of various vessel types, including FPSOs and OSVs, to assess welding quality, safety systems, and equipment installations.

Safety & Compliance

Learned to identify common shipyard hazards and apply ABS's safety protocols during confined space entry, work-at-height scenarios, and onboard surveys.

Communication & Confidence

Built rapport with shipyard personnel and crew, enhancing communication skills in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.

      Key Learnings
      Developed a safety-first mindset and learned to spot common hazards
Gained hands-on experience with ship surveys and reporting
Built confidence in communicating with shipyard staff and crew

    

This rotation reinforced the importance of vigilance and teamwork in ensuring vessel safety and compliance. I am grateful for the mentorship and support I received from the ABS survey team.

Third Rotation: Houston HQ Experience - Leadership & Strategy

As part of the Aspire Program, I completed a three-week rotation at ABS's headquarters in Spring, Texas, collaborating with international Aspires from Shanghai and Greece. The program was highly structured and provided valuable exposure across multiple departments.

Departmental Exposure

Explored various departments and shadowed US-based Aspires, including a learning visit to Galveston to understand Texas's marine and offshore heritage.

Leadership & Teamwork

Presented on rotation experiences and participated in team-building workshops focused on organizational dynamics.

Executive Engagement

Attended presentations by senior leadership, including Managers, Directors, VPs, and the Chairman, followed by interactive Q&A sessions.

      Rotation Highlights
      Collaborated with international Aspires from Shanghai and Greece
Participated in team-building and leadership workshops
Gained invaluable insights and professional connections

    

This rotation offered invaluable insights and professional connections that have enriched my Aspire journey. I look forward to the opportunities ahead.

Final Rotation: Technology at Global Electrification Centre

During my final rotation at the Global Electrification Centre, I gained valuable exposure to research and development, simulations, and the creation of technical rules–areas previously new to me. Surrounded by PhD experts, I developed the user interface for a MATLAB application designed to assist clients with data-driven fleet management decisions. The focus was on building a scalable, adaptable system capable of handling complex parameters and evolving industry scenarios.

Technical Skills Enhanced

MATLAB scripting, scalable UI design, Power BI visualizations, and integrating PowerApps with engineering tools.

Innovation & Collaboration

Worked closely with PhD experts to design a dynamic MATLAB app for vessel decision-making and fleet management.

Industry Exposure

Participated in Singapore Maritime Week and observed ABS's initiatives in marine decarbonization.

      Rotation Highlights
      Mastered model-based engineering and techno-economic analysis
Designed and presented a dynamic MATLAB app for vessel decision-making
Explored vessel economics, emissions modeling, and fleet planning

    

I am grateful to the GEC team for their support, particularly Dr. YunTao Chen, Dr. Kuntal Satpathi, and Dr. Subash Chandar Athikessavan, whose guidance was instrumental throughout this rotation.

With this, I have completed the Aspire Program and look forward to applying these experiences in my career.

Reflection

Completing the Aspire Program gave me a clearer view of where I want to grow. Engineering taught me the importance of precision and accountability, Survey showed me the weight of decisions made in the field, and Technology sparked an interest in coding and innovation that I didn’t expect. Beyond the technical skills, I learned how collaboration across disciplines drives better solutions. Looking ahead, I want to build on this foundation–developing deeper technical expertise while exploring how digital tools can help the maritime industry move toward safer, cleaner, and more efficient operations.

Welcome to My ABS Aspire Journey

Sarar's ABS Aspire Journey