SMST, the Dutch specialist in lifting, transportation, drilling and pipelay solutions, particularly for the maritime and offshore industry, has been awarded a contract by Norside Wind AS (Norside) for the delivery of a motion compensated gangway combined with an Access & Cargo Tower for the conversion of former platform supply vessel (PSV) ‘Farland’.
Recently, Norwegian shipowning company Norside has taken ownership of the Farland, vessel of Ulstein’s PX121 design, from Blue Ship Invest. The former PSV will be converted into a walk-to-work vessel for the offshore wind industry and will operate under the name ‘Norside Cetus’. OSM Offshore Bergen/Vestland Offshore will have the management of the vessel.
The delivery of the gangway, the SMST Telescopic Access Bridge L-Series (TAB-L), with Access & Cargo Tower is planned for Q3-2022. The equipment incorporates important features that ensure deployability in all current and future offshore wind farms.
“The TAB-L with automation packages and electrical height adjustment system that operates on both sides of the vessel is definitely futureproof. Besides using the gangway for walk-to-work operations, it has also a crane functionality for transferring cargo up to 3t. “We are very pleased with the trust of Norside and we are confident that with our equipment we can offer them high performance and many safe transfers.”
Jelle Dijk, Sales Manager at SMST
The contract is a continuation of their cooperation that was sealed last year with the first contract for supplying a similar set of walk-to-work equipment, for the freshly converted Norside Supporter.
“After a successful delivery of the gangway package for the Norside Supporter, we returned to SMST for a second set of their equipment. We believe that their walk-to-work solution complements the PX121 design and increases the performance level of the vessel’s operations. And above all, guarantees safe transfer of crew and cargo.”
Hans Martin Gravdal, CEO at Norside Wind AS