Ampelmann, the global offshore access firm, has strengthened its position in the North Sea this year after being awarded four new contracts.

The projects will see six gangway systems deployed for planned shutdown campaigns and ongoing fabric maintenance support by different major operators across the UKCS.

Using motion compensation technology, Ampelmann’s E-type is the largest gangway system in the company’s portfolio and is suited for the harsh environment of the North Sea, it said.

The gangway, which can transfer a full shift of up to 40 people in 15-20 minutes, enables offshore workers safe and easy access to a variety of floating and fixed structures to carry out essential repair and maintenance activity.

One of the contracts includes a three-year extension to support maintenance operations in the southern North Sea and will be operational all year round.

All six projects will be supported from Ampelmann’s base in Aberdeen which is relocating to larger office premises on Waterloo Quay to support the growing team.

Lorenz Nehring, of Ampelmann, said the solutions "offer a safe, cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional transfer methods providing operators significant commercial benefits for planning campaigns".

Since the Netherlands-headquartered company was founded a decade ago, it has helped close to 300,000 offshore workers commute safely to and from vessels and assets and has transported more than 80,000 kilograms of vital equipment and cargo in the North Sea.