#marineelevator

When working on ships and offshore environments, it’s good to know that your marine elevator has been designed to thrive in some of the most world’s most extreme weather conditions. Tough environments present a unique set of difficulties to those working in marine environments, but the pioneering solutions devised by Alimak have provided operators with safe and reliable vertical access solutions since the 1970s.

The shipping and offshore industries drive an integral part of the global economy, forming a key element of business operations all over the world. An Alimak marine elevator is often integral to smooth operations in ports. Used in nearly 100 countries, Alimak elevators provide a reliable solution for the movement of large shipping containers that is safe and efficient. With the ability to significantly increase productive output, an Alimak marine elevator can often be found unloading ships and creating access for ship-to-shore cranes. Where it is necessary for refurbishments or repairs to take place, a marine elevator can be tasked with transporting people and materials to areas which may otherwise be inaccessible.

High winds and the roll and pitch of the ocean create challenging conditions unique to marine environments. It is integral to the safety and efficiency of operations that a marine elevator can withstand and function in such conditions. The Vos Start Offshore support vessel is home to an Alimak elevator that consistently performs in the pressing conditions in which it operates. The elevator efficiently transports cargo to offshore windfarms and utilises variable height landing technology to transport people to vantage points on site.

Alimak have also gained a reputation in the offshore industry for stringent, reliable equipment in the offshore industry, where Alimak offshore elevators handle the motions of the ocean and remain robust against the threat of corrosion which is common in areas of humidity and salt water. The Alimak offshore elevator has a large capacity for transporting heavy materials, equipment and groups of works. Six Alimak rack and pinion elevators are utilised for vertical access on the twin Aker H601 and H602 drilling rigs that are set to work in some of the world’s most testing locations. Working in remote areas, it is imperative that an offshore elevator continually operates to the highest standard. Six Alimak rack and pinion elevators service the rigs for a vertical access solution designed with the distinct requirements of the site in mind.

Alimak have recently launched a new and innovative marine elevator at the 2019 Interlift trade show and exhibition in Germany.

Alimak are widely recognised as an industry leading brand name in robust vertical access solutions built to withstand the demands of a wide range of tough industrial environments from construction to mining and cement, metal and steel processing plants. Alimak’s vertical access products have also been widely used in the offshore oil and gas industry, with over 1000 successful installations in this specific market since 1974. This clearly indicates a history of experience and expertise in developing systems suitable for the particular environmental challenges that come with offshore operations. Their experience also includes particularly complex offshore vertical access projects such as the marine lift for the Vos Start support vessel which provides essential step-free access for personnel and cargo, linking the ship to offshore wind turbines or platforms and delivering reliable and safe access in extreme weather conditions.

The new Alimak ME, however, has been specially developed as a new series for marine elevator applications on board ships and other types of seafaring vessels. The nature of the marine environment inevitably involves a number of challenges specific to industrial vessels. Not only must vertical access solutions for this sector be capable of withstanding a variety of extreme weather conditions, but seafaring vessels are also constantly subject to the motion of rolling, pitching and heaving which many vertical access systems designed for land-based use may not be designed to deal with safely and reliably.

Built around Alimak’s long standing and proven traction elevator technology, the ME marine elevator is ideally suited to a range of uses on board ships from handling essential cargo and supplies to providing workers and other personnel with safe, convenient and comfortable transport. Space is often a critical issue on board marine vessels and the Alimak ME also provides a benefit in this regard in that there is no requirement for a separate machine room.

The harsh realities of the conditions on board industrial vessels are a central consideration in its design and construction, with a robust car frame of reinforced stainless steel and hot dip galvanisation also available as an option for settings where a high level of humidity is a concern. The landing door construction is also optimised for the marine environment with additional reinforcement.