Ampelmann Gangway System Increases Operational Efficiencies

 

The innovative and adaptable E1000 motion compensated access system can transform from a gangway into a crane boom. It is 30 meters in length and is capable of safely transferring people and up to 1,000 kilograms of cargo in rough sea states in wave heights up to 4.5 metres.

 

The enhanced, automated system now employs remote-controlled hydraulic pin pushers to fixate the gangway booms in less than one minute with a single button. To switch from cargo to personnel transfer mode, the crane hoisting cable is placed in a freewheel mode to allow the booms to telescope, significantly increasing the available working time. Pins were previously manually deployed and the entire conversion process took at least ten minutes to complete.

 

A total of four E1000 systems are currently being deployed, of which one by Siem Offshore (SIOFFO.ST) Contractors on its vessels for inspection, maintenance and repair works on Germany’s first commercial offshore windfarm. Earlier this year, the gangway safely performed more than

 

12,000 people transfers and 7,000 cargo lifts between an offshore support vessel and the wind turbines over a ten-month period, leading to an extension of the original contract.

Future development of the E1000 will focus on increasing its lifting capacity.