Access Systems News

With a background in subsea and offshore, coming up with new ideas is the norm’ for UK-based engineering consultancy STL (Submarine Technology Limited), writes Elaine Maslin.The last few years have been no different. The company has been focusing on ship-based robotics, including robotic arms. These aren’t just any robotic arms – they’re motion compensated systems for deploying/recovering people and robots to and from fixed or moving objects. That could be wind technicians to…

With a background in subsea and offshore, coming up with new ideas is the norm for UK-based engineering consultancy STL (Submarine Technology Limited), writes Elaine Maslin.The last few years have been no different. The company has been focusing on ship-based robotics, including robotic arms. These aren’t just any robotic arms – they’re motion-compensated systems for deploying/recovering people and robots to and from fixed or moving objects.That could be wind technicians to an…

Fluor Corporation announced that Stork, part of Fluor’s Diversified Services segment, was awarded a contract extension by Centrica Storage Limited to continue providing fabric maintenance and associated services for the company’s UK onshore and offshore oil and gas assets.Fluor booked the undisclosed contract value in the second quarter of 2019, said a release.“Stork is extremely pleased to deepen our long-term relationship with Centrica in the UK by providing services to extend the life and efficiency of its assets in the northeast of England,” said Taco de Haan, Stork’s president.“Stork’s multidisciplined team will provide a single…

Cargotec’s MacGregor has hit roadblock to complete the acquisition of TTS Group’s marine and offshore businesses, originally proposed in February 2018.The provider of solutions for handling marine cargoes informed that the closing of MacGregor's TTS acquisition has been postponed to Q3 2019.On 8 February, 2018 MacGregor entered into an agreement to acquire the marine and offshore businesses of TTS Group ASA, a global provider of handling solutions and access systems and services for the marine and offshore industries.The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals from the competition authorities in Germany, South Korea and China.MacGregor…

Two and a half years on from the genesis of the FCS 7011 concept in response to extensive feedback from the offshore energy sector, the build of the first of this design has begun at Damen Shipyards Antalya, Turkey. The milestone was marked by a traditional keel-laying ceremony held at the yard.At 70 meters in length, the newbuild will be the largest monohull vessel to be built in aluminium by Damen. It is scheduled for launch in August 2020, and the builder said a prospective client can realistically look forward to delivery by the end of that year.According to Damen…

Norway-based TTS Group ASA, a global provider of handling solutions and access systems and services for the marine and offshore industries, has been awarded a contract for sideloading systems for Norway-based expedition cruise operator Hurtigruten.TTS Group has also won a contract for ships equipment to another buyer. Total value of the orders is approximately NOK 38 mln (USD 4.5mln).Hurtigruten, the world’s largest and most sustainable expedition cruise line, is expected to install the advanced TTS sideloading systems on six different ships during 2019-2021.Building on 125 years of Norwegian pioneering heritage, Hurtigruten is today the world's largest expedition cruise company.Few days ago, TTS Group awarded a new contract with Cosco (Dalian) Shipyard Co., Ltd in China.

Norway’s TTS Group has been awarded a NOK 102 million (USD11.7 million) contract with Cosco (Dalian) Shipyard Company in China for five sets of cargo cranes and hatch covers."The contract regards five shipsets of cargo cranes and hatch covers. The equipment is for use on multi-purpose vessels," said a press note.Deliveries are expected to take place by the end of 2019, it said. Last year,  TTS Groupsecured another contract with Cosco (Dalian) Shipyard Co., Ltd in China for a shipset of cargo cranes and hatch covers.The TTS Group is an international corporation that provides first-rate handling solutions and access systems for the marine and offshore industries.

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has entered into an agreement to acquire the marine and offshore businesses from TTS Group, a global provider of cargo handling equipment and services for merchant and offshore ships for an enterprise value of EUR 87 million ($106 mln). The combination of the two businesses will produce greater scale and diversification and will strengthen MacGregor's portfolio and market position in key markets for cargo and load handling equipment. Based on preliminary estimates, potential cost synergies are estimated to be around EUR 30-35 million on annual level and are expected to be reached within three years from closing.

Rohr-Idreco recently completed installation of a RISD350-M 14” (350 mm) electric dredge for application in the sand & gravel market. The customer needed a new and efficient deep-digging electric dredge. As Rohr-Idreco is a manufacturer of modular dredges with the latest technology, the customer decided to move forward with the dredge, which has a digging depth of 90 ft. (28 m) with production capacity in excess of 400 tph. The dredge is equipped with a state-of-the-art GPS and…

Dutch company Ampelmann says it has designed its latest motion compensation access system, the S-type, as a cost effective and safe option in the transportation of workers and luggage to and from offshore platforms. The company, a provider of offshore access systems to the energy industry, is launching the new Walk-to-Work system as an alternative to using helicopters or baskets. In total, the cost of using the system will be around 30 perceent cheaper than helicopters, the manufacturer said. The S-type incorporates a lightweight system that uses a low amount of energy to operate.

Offshore energy support vessel operator, Seacat Services, is preparing to launch its first High Speed Utility Vessel (HSUV), Seacat Enterprise. The 27m South Boats IoW catamaran is a new category of vessel for the offshore wind market, designed to provide both rapid crew transfer and wide-ranging logistical support for extended periods at sea. In the maturing European offshore wind sector, the expectations of developers, contractors and project operators with respect to the capabilities of support vessel fleets are becoming increasingly defined.

Schoellhorn-Albrecht is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of Mooring Equipment and Systems including Capstans, Anchor Windlasses, Deck Fittings and Vessel Access Systems. In addition to standard products, the firm specializes in designing and manufacturing castings, fabrications, and specialized machinery. Products can be designed and certified to ABS, LLOYDS, MIL, ISO, NAVSEA, ASTM, JIS, OCIMF, and NVR as required. The firm has 35 employees. Schoellhorn-Albrecht has engineered and implemented a Programmable Control System designed for mooring and positioning into dry docks.

Damen Shipyards Group has teamed up with the global leader in motion compensation access solutions, Ampelmann, to conduct tests with Ampelmann’s L-Type system on board a Damen Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 5009. Damen is developing its marine access solutions in order to guarantee increased safety, reduced costs and efficiency in the global crew transfer market. As part of this mission, Damen has recently increased its cooperation with a number of access suppliers. On this occasion, the process has resulted in a live demonstration of a combined Ampelmann and Damen solution at a North Sea gas production platform. Teaming up with Ampelmann for a number of tests was a natural route says Damen Business Development Manager David Stibbe.

MacGregor has received orders from two Japanese yards to deliver comprehensive RoRo access equipment packages for four car carriers. The equipment will be delivered during Q3 in 2017. The orders are booked into the first quarter 2016 order intake.   The car carriers are built at two shipyards; two 7,400 CEU pure car/truck carriers (PCTCs) at Shin Kurushima Dockyard and two 3,000 pure car carriers (PCC) at Nakai Zosen Corporation.    "We have a proven record of reliable deliveries and excellent support and relationship with these Japanese shipyards," says Mattias Gunnarsson, Director of Sales and Marketing, MacGregor RoRo. "Our RoRo access systems ensure efficient and safe cargo handling operation of the vessels," Mr Gunnarsson adds.

Classification society Bureau Veritas has developed guidelines for walk-to-work (W2W) motion compensated Offshore Access Systems (OAS) which are used to transfer industrial personnel to and from offshore installations. Guidance Note NI629 Certification of Offshore Access Systems provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the safety principles and technical requirements for the design, manufacturing and operation of reliable and dependable equipment for the safe transfer of personnel at sea. Matthieu de Tugny, Senior Vice-President and Head of Offshore, Bureau Veritas, said, "Getting people safely onto and off unmanned platforms and wind farm towers offshore has become a big issue.

Leading international classification society Bureau Veritas has developed guidelines for walk-to-work (W2W) motion compensated Offshore Access Systems (OAS) which are used to transfer industrial personnel to and from offshore installations. Guidance Note NI629 Certification of Offshore Access Systems provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the safety principles and technical requirements for the design, manufacturing and operation of reliable and dependable equipment for the safe transfer of personnel at sea. Matthieu de Tugny, Senior Vice-President and Head of Offshore, Bureau Veritas, says, "Getting people safely onto and off unmanned platforms and wind farm towers offshore has become a big issue.

Ampelmann, a provider of motion compensation access solutions, is opening an office in central Aberdeen as the next step in the continued expansion of the company. Ampelmann claims an an extensive track record in supporting Walk to Work campaigns in the North Sea, and said the new office aims to strengthen its presence in the region and enable better support for current and future customers. The access systems of Ampelmann have been used in multiple projects in the UKCS. From commissioning campaigns in the harsher waters West of Shetland to reducing costly shut down and maintenance projects throughout the North Sea. Newly appointed Business Development Manager in Aberdeen, Lorenz Nehring, said, “The North Sea is constantly looking at initiatives to save money by cutting operating costs.

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has been contracted by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries to deliver RoRo access equipment packages for a series of two post-Panamax RoRo carriers. The vessels are under construction at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for the Luxembourg-based operator CLdN (Cobelfret), with options for another three. Ordered as part of CLdN's fleet expansion and modernisation program, the 235-meter-long and 35-meter-wide vessels will reportedly be the world's largest commercial RoRo carriers. Each MacGregor RoRo access equipment package will comprise a stern ramp, internal ramps, bulkhead doors and four levels of hoistable electrically-operated car decks. The gross weight of the equipment is about 2,200 metric tons per ship.

Strainstall’s Vessel Motion Monitoring System (VMMS) has been successfully installed on a vessel running trials for the Carbon Trust Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) program, a joint industry program aiming to reduce the cost of offshore wind by 10% for UK Round 3 sites. The OWA trial focuses on turbine access systems, proving and de-risking design concepts. VMMS is supporting the Carbon Trust during prototype testing phases to quantify vessel conditions during personnel transfers.

After making final touches to the Damen Walk 2 Work vessel, a completely new and innovative design for the offshore support vessel market, Dutch shipbuilder Damen decided to start building the vessel on speculation, marked with the start of the basic and consequently detailed engineering of the vessel. The vessel will support and accommodate turbine maintenance crews at sea. Not only provides the vessel on-site work facilities and accommodation for voyages of up to one month, the vessel also comes with a helicopter platform…

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has been contracted by Chinese shipbuilding group Yangfan to deliver comprehensive RoRo access equipment packages for a series of five post-Panamax 7,800 CEU pure car/truck carriers (PCTCs). The vessels are under construction for Italian operator Grimaldi Group, with options for seven more. The 200m vessels will be among the world's largest car carriers. They have been ordered as part of Grimaldi's fleet expansion and modernisation programme. Each MacGregor RoRo access equipment package will comprise a quarter ramp, side ramp, internal ramps, bulkhead doors and four levels of liftable car decks. The gross weight of the equipment is about 2,400 tonnes per ship.

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has received a contract from STX France SA to deliver cargo and passenger access equipment for two cruise ships. The order was booked into fourth quarter 2014 order intake.   MacGregor's 'turnkey' delivery includes the design, production, delivery, installation and commissioning of tailor-made systems that include numerous MacGregor doors, platforms, lifting platforms, ramps, hatches and power packs; a total of 51 items of equipment per shipset. The cruise ships have been designed with maximum flexibility and efficiency in mind and the seamless integration of MacGregor's access systems will enhance the operational efficiency," says Lars Öberg, Sales Manager, RoRo Division at MacGregor.

STX France SA has awarded a contract to MacGregor for the delivery of cargo and passenger access equipment for two cruise ships.   MacGregor said its turnkey delivery includes the design, production, delivery, installation and commissioning of tailor-made systems that include MacGregor doors, platforms, lifting platforms, ramps, hatches and power packs; a total of 51 items of equipment per shipset.   Lars Öberg, Sales Manager of MacGregor’s RoRo Division, said, “The cruise ships have been designed with maximum flexibility and efficiency in mind, and the seamless integration of MacGregor's access systems will enhance the operational efficiency."