A long-lasting relationship

SMST provides a wide range of gangways, so-called Telescopic Access Bridges (TAB), for a safe and easy transfer of personnel and cargo to and from an offshore structure.

AT SEA, SAFETY IS ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES OF OPERATORS AND CONTRACTORS AND THE TRANSFERRING OF PERSONS FROM A vessel to an oil or gas platform, as well as offshore wind turbines, can be one of the most critical moments during operations.

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF SMST. Ample companies have developed and constructed ample solutions for this issue. But today, heave and motion compensated walk-to-work solutions are considered one of the safest and most efficient transfer systems. For years, SMST has been one of the frontrunners in the creation and realisation of heave compensated lifting and access systems and CEO Erik Hessels sees a growing demand in the offshore wind industry.

Access & Cargo Tower “Since our start in 1990,” he begins, “our focus has been on the offshore oil & gas industry. We supply a broad range of equipment for lifting, access, pipelaying, and drilling for this market. It is obvious that in the most recent years, we have also made a move towards the offshore renewables industry.” He continues, “When looking at market demand for new-build vessels, we notice an increase in the construction of Service Operation Vessels that preferably use one system for transferring both people and cargo. The size of this type of vessel is compact, leaving hardly any room for separate units. Depending on what customers want, they choose either a gangway with lifting capacity or a motion compensated crane, combined with a gangway.” According to Mr Hessels, one of SMST’s strengths lies in its extensive range of solutions. “With our comprehensive product matrix, we offer a solution for every situation, no matter what type of vessel or transfer our customer desires,” he says. One of the most advanced systems is SMST’s >>

SAFETY FIRST STAINLESS STEEL CONNECTORS FROM PH.

Access & Cargo Tower (ACT). Mr Hessels explains, “The ACT is an integrated system for stepless transfer of personnel and cargo from multiple deck levels up to the turbine platform. To ensure comfortable crossing and maximum workability, the height of the access bridge can be adjusted to the platform’s landing height. The integrated elevator with capacity for a cargo pallet and personnel always stops at the access bridge level.” Today, SMST already has nine ACTs either supplied or under construction, which underlines the product’s success. “What really makes the concept unique is that the core elements of the ACT can be serially constructed. This greatly raises the product’s cost-efficiency, while still leaving room for flexibility towards the different requirements from our customers. Moreover, this could also save money spent on maintenance whenever a customer operates more than one tower.”

For sale or rent SMST offers equipment for both sale and rent. “For existing vessels, buying is often too expensive and hence we provide the option to rent, obviously with the same extensive support that we provide for our sold equipment. For example, existing vessels are often used for constructing offshore windfarms. The construction of a windfarm takes a relatively short period of time and each project is different, with different contractors and different vessels. Renting a system for a short period is thus far more efficient.” He continues, “Whatever solution we provide, we can in most cases install and mobilise our equipment within a day. And to do so, a vessel does not even necessarily have to sail to a specific location. Our systems are built in a modular way and can be transported easily as containers. For the customer’s convenience, we travel with the equipment to the location that best suits the vessel. This saves the shipowner a lot of time and money.” “Buying a walk-towork solution is more logical for new-build vessels,” adds Mr Hessels. “The cost of ownership is the most important aspect for the equipment that we provide for new vessels. It is not simply a matter of just buying a piece of equipment, as this item requires maintenance throughout its economic life and this should be considered, too. We are thus very open towards our customers. We take care of the entire project, from scratch to installation, as well as training operators and repair and maintenance of equipment. We know the exact total cost of ownership of our equipment, which we openly and frankly discuss with our customers.”

Impressive track record Buying an access or lifting solution from SMST means that a customer enters a longlasting relationship. Mr Hessels continues, “Our work certainly does not end from the moment that a gangway or crane is installed on a vessel. We keep an eye on it until decommissioning. Based on our customers’ wishes, we will take care of the equipment’s repair and maintenance. Whenever possible, we will also upgrade existing equipment with improvements that we have made with the construction of new products, so any sold gangway or crane will always remain up to date.” He follows with an example, “Our latest gangways and cranes can now be equipped with an automated landing system and on customer demand, we can also provide already operating systems with this functionality.” Throughout the years, SMST has built an impressive track record with

renowned customers such as Acta Marine, Bibby Marine Services, ESVAGT, and MOL. For the latter, it was recently announced that SMST will supply an ACT for the first SOV which will be constructed in Taiwan. “Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam has awarded us the contract for delivering an ACT with a motion compensated gangway and 3D motion compensated crane for the new-build SOV of the Ta San Shang Marine joint venture of Japanese shipowner MOL and Taiwanese Ta Tong Marine,” Mr Hessels voices. “The vessel will serve a long-term maintenance contract for Ørsted in the new Greater Changhua offshore windfarm in the Taiwan Strait. The gangway will be equipped with our newly developed assisted landing functionality and a shared operator chair installed on the ship’s bridge will control both the crane and gangway, which will increase the vessel’s overall efficiency.” Mr Hessels concludes, “This order enlarges our strong global portfolio. After building up a solid track record in various parts of the world, it is now time for the Taiwanese offshore wind market to discover the advantages of SMST’s systems.”

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