Ampelmann unveils electric gangway system

Ampelmann has launched an electric version of its A-type gangway system.

The company has replaced the traditional hydraulic power train with an electric regenerative actuation.

The electric A-type system is now fully operational after undergoing trials on the support vessel Horizon Star at Eneco’s Princess Amalia wind farm offshore the Netherlands.

The benefits of an electric W2W system are mostly two-fold, according to the company. The electric A-type is smaller and lighter, requiring fewer resources to operate compared to its hydraulic-powered counterpart. Weight is reduced by 40% and energy use by 80%, considerably decreasing the environmental impact of the system without compromising workability specifications.

Diederick Nierstrasz, business developer at Ampelmann, said: “With the implementation of electric drives, large heavy components of the hydraulic system became redundant, including the 20-foot (6.1-metre) power pack container. Clients can expect the same capabilities as the non-electric A-type system, with an even higher reliability and ease of use.”

Additionally, Mr Nierstrasz said that the electric drives have improved the A-type’s accuracy and response time, while also eliminating the noise and vibrations the hydraulic-powered system used to produce.

Also, the company’s S-type, a newly designed system based on the technology of the electric A-type, is to be deployed on Damen’s new 7011 fast crew supplier in 3Q. The vessel is designed for a sailing speed of 40 knots, combined with a safe transfer of people in sea states up to ten feet (three metres) Hs in DP mode.

Source: Offshore Magazine