In an ever-changing market, Ampelmann is committed to providing the best access solutions and services for people and cargo transfer. We have changed the world of offshore access in terms of safety, efficiency and reliability.

To learn more about our commitment to health, safety and the environment, please see our HSE policies.

Conference in Berlin

2003

University research

The first research thesis was started at the Delft University of Technology to look into the possibilities of such an inventive idea.

2004

Ampelmann patent

After researching the subject a patent was filed on the Ampelmann system. The invention was presented at the European Wind Energy Conference in London.

2005

Scale model tests

The next step in system development was to test the functionality of a scaled system. Dry tests were conducted by putting two hexapods (the assembly of two frames and six cylinders) on top of each other, in which the top hexapod could compensate the motions generated by the lower system.

The next step was a wet test: the scale model was mounted on a rowing boat in a tank facility at Civil Engineering in Delft where the compensating technology was put to the test and succeeded.

2006

First prototype

2007

The Demonstrator and the start of the company

The prototype, called the Demonstrator, was tested onshore and shown to the public in the home town Delft in the summer. Later that year the system was fully tested onshore and in the port.

At the end of the year the system reached its major goal: the first ever offshore transfers were made on the North Sea using an Ampelmann. The company was established to bring the new successful innovation to the market.

2007

Demonstrator

2008

First commercial project with the A-type

Preparations were made for the first commercial job: supplying safe offshore transfers to the P-14A platform in the North Sea, which was decommissioned by the Smit Taklift 4. The first ever project was successfully concluded and plans were made to implement improvements in the next system. The construction of the A-02 was started by the end of the year.

2009

Own production lot in the RDM in Rotterdam

The production facilities were housed in the RDM in Rotterdam Harbour. The new A-02 was launched during the year and the Demonstrator was upgraded and was named the A-01.

The prime minister of the Netherlands used the system and Ampelmann received national news coverage. Multiple projects and offshore tests were done during the year. The workforce expanded to about 10 people.

2009

Doubling the fleet

The company was growing rapidly. The A-03 and A-04 were added to the fleet and systems were operational around the world.

2010

Completing 100.000 safe personnel transfers

With 100.000 safe transfers reached this year, Walk to Work was becoming more and more a standard way of transferring people offshore.

2011

Launch E-type

Following client demands, a larger system was constructed: the E-type is a scaled up version of the A-type. It has 3m stroke cylinders (instead of 2m) and is capable of working in higher sea states and compensating 100t on top of the system.

This was put to the test when the world’s first fully motion compensated crane (Cargo Transfer System) was tested offshore. Other activities were testing wirelining from a vessel instead of from a platform and developing a system to transfer LNG offshore, vessel to vessel.

2013

Adding O-types to our fleet

The manufacturing of new Ampelmann systems is ramped up. To support further growth and international expansion, Ampelmann recognized the need for a strong partner. IK Investment joined the company as the main shareholder. With their help, further expansion of the fleet was achieved by acquiring another Dutch offshore access specialist called Offshore Solutions.

Their fleet of O-types was incorporated with a very strong track record in providing a 24/7 connection to a platform. A smaller, electric system called the L-type was also being developed. This system can be installed on smaller vessels, aiming for the crew change market.

2014

1 million transfers worldwide!

The demand for offshore access continues to grow both in offshore wind and the oil and gas sector. Safe offshore access is well accepted, which is demonstrated by one million transfers being reached in January. Later that year that was even doubled to two million.

Offices around the world are being opened in Brunei, Houston, Rio de Janeiro, Aberdeen and Doha. The new production facility is opened in Rotterdam, in the former navy submarine yard (Onderzeebootloods).

2015

Improving the business

A fully winterised gangway is designed to work in the cold climate conditions of Sakhalin for SEIC. The system is build and tested by the end of this year. Further penetration of the cargo market is done with the E1000, a fully compensated gangway able to transfer people and hoist cargo up to 1 ton, making it the Swiss army knife for offshore maintenance campaigns. A promising improved L-type is being conceived on the drawing board, making the system smaller, lighter and improved workability. Finally, a move to a new office location that matches the young and innovative spirit of the company.

2016

Ampelmann celebrates ten years of safe offshore transfers

Ampelmann is celebrating its ten year anniversary. In just a decade, Ampelmann grew from a team of just four people to a 350 staff member organisation that services customers across the globe from offices in eight different countries.

2017

Launch AEP

Ampelmann launched the A-type Enhanced Performance (A^EP) offering improved workability and flexibility for the offshore industry. Now providing clients with 10% greater workability in sea states up to 4m significant wave height; the A^EPalso has the ability to use smaller vessels to obtain similar performance (compared to current A-type).

2017

Launch concept A400

Ampelmann has launched an improved version of its industry leading A-type system for transferring people and cargo in the offshore wind industry. The A400 has been redesigned in conjunction with leading operators to include greater capacity for equipment transportation between vessels and wind turbines. Widened gangways support the use of trolleys that can carry up to 400kg of cargo on Euro-sized industry standard pallets.

2017

Four million people transfers

Ampelmann has achieved a pivotal milestone after surpassing four million people transfers worldwide. A momentous accomplishment for Ampelmann since the company pioneered the Walk to Work market in 2007. The landmark has been achieved across more than 240 projects globally.

2018

Ampelmann Technology in the Spotlight at Annual Awards

Ampelmann has been commended for its innovative N-type Icemann gangway system with an OTC Spotlight on New Technology Award. The OTC Spotlight on New Technology awards recognizes the latest and most advanced technologies that are transforming the global oil and gas industry.

2018

Ampelmann opens office in Dubai

Ampelmann opened its second office in the Middle East in a move to further expand its presence in the region. The office in Dubai (UAE) will be manned by Tim Mulders as Business Developer. Together with the team in the already established office in Doha, Qatar, Mulders will be strengthening Ampelmann’s position in the regional market.

2018

500,000 safe personnel transfers with BP globally

Ampelmann has reached a new milestone: 500,000 safe personnel transfers for BP globally. The company completed its first transfer for the oil major in Trinidad & Tobago in 2010 and has since enabled another 17 projects in seven countries.

2018

New office in Sakhalin

“Establishing a local presence in Sakhalin enables Ampelmann to execute the projected growth in the market of winterised Walk to Work (W2W) systems,” said Joeri Poelmann, Director Ampelmann Asia Pacific. “A local office that combines both experienced local and international personnel is key to best support our clients in continuing ongoing projects and starting up new ones in the region.”

2019

Mexico becomes our latest W2W market

Ampelmann secured its first contract in Mexico, adding a new region to its global portfolio. “This is a great achievement for Ampelmann to showcase our capabilities in marine personnel access in a new region,” said Gus DeOliveira, Area Manager Americas at Ampelmann.

2019

Double milestone: double milestone: 5 million people and 10 million kg of cargo transferred

Since we started over a decade ago, we have enabled the safe transfer of 5 million people and 10 million kilogrammes of cargo worldwide. This double milestone is proof of the company’s continuous commitment to setting the industry standard in offshore safety and efficiency.

2019

First contract in Norway

Ampelmann has secured a contract with DeepOcean to support the hook-up and commissioning of the Valhall Flank West (VFW) project, operated by Aker BP. It is a significant milestone for Ampelmann as we enter another important Oil & Gas region, delivering trusted and reliable offshore access other regions have benefitted from,” said Lorenz Nehring, Business Development Manager UK & Norway at Ampelmann.

2019

First lifts in Oil & Gas

2020

Ampelmann adds Guyana as a new market to its global portfolio

2020

Ampelmann to assist construction of offshore wind farm in Taiwan

2022

Introduction of Walk to Work to USA’s offshore wind market

Ampelmann signed its first contract in the US offshore wind market. An E1000 motion compensated system will be supplied to the marine transportation and towing company Otto Candies to facilitate operations during the construction of three commercial scale wind farms in the north-east US Atlantic. This marks an important turning point for the company and will see the introduction of Walk to Work (W2W) to the American renewable energy sector.

2022

Ampelmann and Damen Shipyards establish the joint venture OceanXpress

This collaboration will see the introduction of a new service to the offshore access market that neatly combines the engineering feats of Damen’s Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 7011 ‘Aqua Helix’ with the S-type motion compensated gangway system from Ampelmann. The vessel and state of the art gangway system have successfully passed offshore commissioning and will now start offering services to the offshore energy market in the North Sea.

Ampelmann - Model S-Type - Offshore Access System for Crew Vessels - Brochure