Huisman Czech Republic manufactures gangways for the offshore industry
Sviadnov, April 24, 2024 – Huisman Czech Republic is manufacturing and testing gangways for SMST, a company specialized in the design and production of equipment for the offshore industry. These gangways are equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure safe and comfortable transfer of people and cargo between vessels and offshore structures even under demanding conditions.
Huisman Czech Republic will supply a total of nine gangways in two variants to the Dutch company SMST, one with a reach of 25 meters and a passage width of 1.2 meters, and the other with a reach of 30 meters in the same width. Karel Pavlíček, Managing Director of Huisman Czech Republic, stated: “These are technologically advanced devices that meet the most demanding requirements of the maritime industry. The testing of these devices is carried out together with SMST entirely here in Sviadnov.”
After the completion of the gangway assembly at the Sviadnov plant, all wiring and hydraulic installations will be checked. Subsequently, the team of employees at Huisman Czech Republic will gradually activate, commission, and test its functions and limits. After successful operational testing, the final test with the participation of customer representatives follows. “The gangways are equipped with a motion compensation system, which allows safe passage even when the ship is swaying on waves. The telescopic part of the gangway rests on the platform, and the hydraulic system ensures continuous contact with it.” said Martin Vojtek, Assembly Manager at Huisman Czech Republic.
The production of the first four gangways at Huisman Czech Republic began in 2023, with completion and full testing scheduled for the first half of 2024. Simultaneously, additional slightly larger pieces are already being welded, which will be completed in early 2025. After completion, the order will be transported from Sviadnov to the port in the Netherlands, where the gangways will be installed directly onto the ship. “Manufacturing this type of equipment for the maritime industry is a first for the Sviadnov plant. We highly value our collaboration with SMST and aim to develop it further in the future,” added Karel Pavlíček.
Gangways, also known as Telescopic Access Bridges (TAB), serve for safe and easy connection between a vessel and an offshore structure. For efficient personnel or cargo transfer, SMST offers a wide range of these gangways. “Our gangway structures are smart and lightweight with low energy consumption. With the modular design of our systems we can meet all specific project requirements and operating conditions, ensuring worldwide operational flexibility,” states Ingmar Otter, Commercial Manager at SMST.
SMST, headquartered in Drachten, the Netherlands, is an internationally operating company designing and manufacturing offshore equipment. Its product range covers a broad spectrum for the supply chain for the worldwide offshore industry. SMST offers systems for lifting (including a range of knuckle boom cranes with active heave or motion compensation), for transfer of personnel and cargo, drilling, pipelay and special equipment.
