Safeway Gangway, the Dutch provider of walk-to-work systems, has signed a multi-year contract with Dong Fang Offshore (DFO), provider of vessel solutions for offshore wind projects in Taiwan, for their Safeway Gangway Seagull.
The Safeway Gangway Seagull is used on DFO’s Orient Constructor. DFO has retrofitted the Orient Constructor in late 2021 to become Taiwan’s first Walk2Work vessel, where the system plays a crucial role. Safeway Gangway provided their gangway system Seagull. The Safeway Seagull system has proven ideal for offshore maintenance campaigns.
Wijnand van Aalst, director of Safeway’s parent company, explains: “This innovative system is specifically designed to retrofit existing vessels, featuring unique capabilities such as a ten-meter vertical lift height, hover mode, and easy plug-and-play installation.”
Wijnand van Aalst adds: “We are proud of the trust Dong Fang Offshore has placed in us by entering into this multi-year contract. It allows the crew of the ship and our gangway to become better synchronized, ultimately benefiting safety and efficiency.”
Pioneering with the Safeway Seagull in Taiwan
DFO chose Safeway’s gangway due to its high technical workability and reliability. “Our focus is on delivering high-quality solutions, especially under the challenging offshore conditions in Taiwan,” explains Ben Darrington, COO of Dong Fang Offshore. Another aspect was the partnership that Safeway offered. “The way Safeway Gangway sought to build a true partnership with DFO was crucial in this decision,” says Ben Darrington.
Wijnand van Aalst emphasizes the quality of their operator training: “Our operators are educated at the Safeway Academy, which includes e-learning, VR training, hands-on job training, and training in hydraulic and electrical knowledge. This is part of our operational excellence: minimizing gangway failures and quickly resolving any issues that arise.”
Future Prospects and Local Production
Teamwork and problem-solving are central to this collaboration. Ben Darrington highlights: “A true partnership is about working together as a team, solving problems, and proactively adapting to specific situations,”.
Wijnand van Aalst says another important aspect of this partnership is the management of spare parts. “We believe it is important to have sufficient spare parts in Taiwan: critical and essential spares. The critical spares are on board, while the rest are stored in a warehouse in Taiwan. Additionally, we have technical staff on-site where the units are located,” explains Van Aalst. “When maintenance is required for a gangway, we track it in a PMS (Preventive Management System).”
Wijnand van Aalst also highlights the importance of customer contact: “If a customer wants to transport an electric cable or a hose with fluid through the gangway, we ensure that it is possible, no matter how challenging the request is.”
It is not the first vessel to operate with the Seagull system in Taiwanese waters. Others that have used the system, includes the Topaz Tangaroa and the CSV Normand Baltic.
Image: Safeway Gangway installed on the vessel Orient Constructor from DFO (DongFang Offshore) Source: Safeway