Ampelmann improves gangway cargo mode switch

Offshore access solutions provider Ampelmann has enhanced its existing E1000 gangway transfer system to speed up conversion of its gangway from personnel to cargo mode.

Ampelmann said that the latest enhancement to the E1000 would speed up crew to cargo mode change from at least ten minutes to less than one minute.

This motion compensated access system can also 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 meters.

The new 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.

Diederick Nierstrasz, Ampelmann’s offshore wind product development manager, said: “Due to the E1000’s versatility, the system is already the preferred choice in the offshore wind sector. This improvement will provide even greater operational efficiencies for our customers not only in offshore wind but also in the oil and gas industry where compensated lifting capacity is required.”

To find out more, visit Ampelmann on stand 1082 at Offshore Energy 2017, taking place in Amsterdam from 10-11 October at stand 1.082 and Bar Area Hall 1.