Four E1000 systems are currently being deployed globally (photo: Ampelmann)

Ampelmann, the global provider of offshore access solutions, has enhanced its existing E1000 gangway transfer system to speed up conversion of its gangway from personnel to cargo mode from at least 10 minutes to less than 1 minute, providing greater operational efficiencies.

The innovative and adaptable E1000 motion compensated access system can transform from a gangway into a crane boom. It is 30 metres 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.

Diederick Nierstrasz, Ampelmann’s offshore wind product development manager says, “Building on the success of the existing E1000, we recognised an opportunity to enhance the current system to reduce the time and physical effort taken to change the gangway work mode from personnel to cargo. With this safe and efficient innovation it now takes less than one minute. This is a huge time saving for our clients, resulting in a more efficent use of their valuable assets and increase of the overall project performance.”

“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.”

A total of four E1000 systems are currently being deployed, of which one by Siem Offshore 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.

Tags: Ampelmann