Ampelmann is the global leader in specialised gangway systems and has recently celebrated a significant achievement: one million safe transfers. We asked Eveline Huizink about the company’s explosive growth, maintaining an enviable record and its commitment to innovation.
PES: Welcome to PES. Would you like to introduce the company and explain a little about the services you offer?
Eveline Huizink: Founded in 2007 as a spin-off of the Delft University of Technology, Ampelmann was established with the vision to make offshore access as easy as crossing the street. As such, our mission is to set new standards in safety by operating motion compensation offshore access systems and services all over the world. At the core of the business is the unique technology of the Ampelmann system, a motion compensation platform that allows easy, fast and safe access from moving vessels to offshore structures even during high wave conditions.
Since it was incorporated seven years ago, Ampelmann has found clients across the world and consecutively doubled its fleet year on year. We presently operate 40 systems worldwide transferring offshore crew from various types of vessels to offshore oil and gas platforms, wind turbines, FPSOs and all other floating and fixed structures at sea.
PES: What are the benefits of an Ampelmann system for the wind sector?
EH: The systems are essentially flexible gangways of different size that transport workers and cargo to wind turbines and other offshore structures. Principally used to support offshore repair, construction and maintenance projects, the Ampelmann systems are safe and secure in all types of weather. The fact that our products can be used in all weathers is hugely important for wind companies as it means their turbines can be accessed at all times, whatever the external conditions.
This has clear economic benefits too, as renting an Ampelmann is more cost effective than hiring helicopters, larger vessels or inflexible jack ups. Because it can work 24 hours a day, the ship can simply be parked next to the structure and left so that a lot more man hours of actual work are achieved. The platform basically turns the ship into a very versatile working hotel directly next to where the crew are working which leads to an increase of effective man hours.
