Ampelmann sells W-type gangway system to Olympic Offshore Wind AS and enters SOV market

PRESS RELEASE

Ampelmann, the Dutch offshore access provider, has sold its first W-type gangway system to offshore shipping company Olympic Offshore Wind AS. The system will be installed on the Olympic Orion in early 2023 when the vessel will complete its conversion to a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV). Though this is not Ampelmann’s first engagement with the SOV/CSOV market, the new system, partially based on new technology, marks an important turning point in the company’s commitment to the renewable energy sector.

The W-type is Ampelmann’s latest system that satisfies a growing demand for safe, efficient, and sustainable access solutions in the renewable energy market. Tailor made to individual vessels, the new system is electric, height adjustable and contains a lift and crane that can carry cargo and personnel. As it can compensate for vessel motions in sea states up to 3.5Hs, it will greatly increase the efficiency of maintenance operations on wind farms.

The new system will be permanently fixed on the Olympic Orion in 2023 when the vessel will complete its conversion from a Multi-Purpose Support Vessel (MPSV) into an CSOV. The height-adjustable gangway makes it an ideal tool to safely transfer crew and cargo from the vessel to different types of wind turbines. Alongside the new system, Ampelmann will provide operator training and 24/7 essential support through the company’s Operation Control Centre (OCC). Until the W-type can be installed on the Olympic Orion, an E1000 has been temporarily fitted to the vessel so that it can continue its operations in the North Sea as a highly efficient Walk to Work vessel.

“We are pleased to continue our long-standing working relationship with Ampelmann. Olympic was one of the early movers in the offshore wind market and has been working more or less continuously on offshore wind projects for the last ten years. During this time, we have safely completed well over 200,000 personnel transfers via gangways without any incidents, and we look forward to continuing to expand our offerings to clients in this market going forward with the W-type onboard the Olympic Orion,” says Marius Bergseth, COO Olympic.

“This is a crowning achievement on our long-standing relationship with the Olympic Group,” adds Cinthia Mijares, Business Developer at Ampelmann. “In the past decade, we have supplied systems, support and operators to the company, and we would like to thank them for their continued trust in our technology and services.”

“We are a global company,” Mijares continues, “and as such, it always excites us to broaden our horizon and bring together our experience as an offshore access provider to focus on what we consider to be new and exciting markets. SOVs have become crucially important in the global renewable energy infrastructure and we want to contribute to the safety and efficiency of operations there. Based on Ampelmann’s proven technology, the W-type is sure to become a permanent fixture of the SOV world.”