ABS has appointed veteran offshore industry leader Miguel Hernandez to head its offshore division.

The former MODEC general manager of sales and marketing is now ABS Senior Vice President of Offshore Business Development, leading global offshore including the FPSO, FPU and floating offshore wind sectors.

Miguel brings deep sector insight and extensive market relationships to further enhance ABS’ industry-leading offshore services to clients.

“As the world’s leading offshore class, we are always looking to innovate and develop our services for clients. This is why we have appointed Miguel, who I am delighted to welcome to ABS where I am confident he will support our best-in-class team to step-up to the next level. Our clients expect and deserve industry-leading support as we navigate the operational and regulatory challenges of the energy transition and ABS is fully committed to ensuring they get it. Miguel’s appointment is the latest evidence of that,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman, President and CEO.

Miguel has more than 18 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, including expertise in global strategic account management, offshore sales and business development. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from Rice University.

ABS has a proud tradition of delivering “firsts” in the offshore industry, most recently when SBM Offshore and Exxon Mobil’s Liza Unity became the first FPSO to be awarded the ABS sustainability notation and a pioneering autonomy JDP with SpaceX. ABS has also certified the first commercial-sized semisubmersible floating offshore wind turbine and has now classed 80MW installed capacity of floating wind installations, including WindFloat Atlantic and Kincardine windfarms.

ABS was the first Class organization to venture offshore, certifying the world’s first mobile offshore drilling unit in 1958 and classing the first jackup, semisubmersible, drillship, FPSO, TLP and spar. ABS is also the leading classification organization for floating offshore wind and continues to lead the development of design standards and concepts for floating offshore wind turbine foundations. ABS Classification services are constantly evolving to meet the needs of changing demands in offshore operations.