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The Ampelmann L-type gangway. (Image source: Ampelmann)

Ampelmann discusses the changing offshore access strategies in the Middle East

Helicopters, crew boats, jack-ups. Vessels equipped with ropes, baskets or motion compensated gangways. Offshore activity across the Gulf of Arabia, the Caspian and Arabian Sea spans field development, maintenance and decommissioning, all dependent on getting personnel and cargo efficiently and safely to and from their worksite. From low cost but inconsistent, to reliable but OPEX-straining, these days there is a mix of different offshore access methods used across the Middle East.

Increasingly, motion compensated gangways are entering that mix, closing the gap between the consistency offered by the heavier, costlier options without carrying the same exposure to hazardous and time-consuming marine conditions.

The value of Walk to Work

Sea conditions across the Middle East are often benign, but high waves, strong winds and seasonal weather like the Shamal can disrupt and delay operations. Walk to Work (W2W) – as transferring personnel and cargo with motion compensated gangways is commonly known – provides a stable pathway that ensures personnel can safely reach their offshore destinations in these conditions.

W2W systems are increasingly used throughout the Middle East because they also offer advantages beyond the weather. Since its first operations in Qatar in 2012, Ampelmann has transferred over three million crew members in over 75 projects for international and national oil companies in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Oman.

By enabling quick and reliable personnel transfers to fixed and floating structures, the company’s gangway systems increase tool time and accelerate project delivery.

Trusted, proven, experienced

The value W2W brings is increasingly applied to established access strategies. While jack-up accommodation barges are a familiar sight across the Gulf, housing large crews to facilitate construction and maintenance work, W2W solutions are complementing this model. Accommodation vessels paired with an Ampelmann gangway system offer a flexible and cost-effective solution that can relocate quickly between offshore assets.

For routine crew transfer, W2W also offers a reliable alternative to helicopters and scales naturally with campaign length and crew sizes. Crew boats, both DP and non-DP, are a prevalent vessel class across the region, but are frequently equipped with baskets, ropes or simple gangways. Due to its compact size, Ampelmann’s fully electric L-type is ideal for smaller vessels, enabling safe and continuous access that maximises uptime and hands-on-tool time. Quick to mobilise and capable of connecting to an offshore platform within a minute, this tried and tested configuration already sees much use in the oil fields near Brunei and Malaysia.

Global presence, local support

Ampelmann’s extensive track record in the Middle East is underpinned by strong localised support. Local project managers, operators, maintenance technicians and engineers bring decades of combined regional experience, backed by storage facilities in Qatar and the UAE and a 24/7 global support network through the Operation Control Centre (OCC).

Together, this keeps projects running and response times short. It's this combination of proven technology and local presence that continues to deliver safe and efficient offshore access across the Middle East.

Health, Safety & Environment, in association with SafeStart, is set to present on 15 September The Neuroscience Behind Human Error -- an insightful webinar capable of questioning the conventional approach to safety

SafeStart is a globally renowned safety programme that helps organisations reduce workplace incidents by addressing human factors, critical errors, and decision-making risks. The programme enables driving long-term cultural change and boost performance.

In this session, participants will learn four critical error reduction techniques to help deal with these problems

In addition, participants will also learn ways to deliver and sustain this training to create increased engagement and a positive change in safety culture.

The webinar will highlight:

  • Understand the four human factors responsible for the majority of critical errors
  • Learn practical error reduction techniques to manage risk in real-time situations
  • Gain insights on sustaining behavioral change and improving safety culture 

Expert speakers: 

Larry Wilson
Co-founder and author, SafeStart International

Mitchell Wilson
Project manager - Middle East, SafeStart International 

To attend the webinar, register here for free. 

The controller is designed for increasingly complex industrial environments. (Image source: Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection)

Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection has launched the MCX32-TP, a next-generation gas and flame detection controller offering a flexible and scalable solution to meet the growing demands of industrial safety systems in industries such as oil and gas, water and wastewater and petrochemicals

Combining an intuitive touchscreen interface with high channel capacity and industrial-grade reliability, the controller is designed for increasingly complex detection environments involving more sensors, distributed assets and stricter integration requirements.

Standard models support 4, 16, 32, or 64 channels, while the ability to scale up to 128 channels within the same architecture provides flexibility for evolving safety infrastructures.

“The launch of the MCX32-TP reflects the evolving needs of our customers as gas detection systems become larger, more connected and more complex. By combining a modern touchscreen interface with scalable architecture and advanced connectivity, we offer a controller platform that not only replaces legacy systems but also enables users to future-proof their safety infrastructure. The MCX32-TP represents a new benchmark in delivering the flexibility, visibility, and reliability required to manage critical safety systems with confidence,” said Thibault Fourlegnie, vice president and general manager, Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection.

The advanced touchscreen HMI, available in sizes from 5 to 15 inches, enables intuitive system configuration, real-time monitoring and clear visualisation of alarm conditions. The controller supports a wide range of communication protocols, including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP and BACnet, as well as Industrial Internet of Things capabilities such as MQTT and web-based remote access. Integration with existing plant infrastructure is enabled with dual LAN ports, multiple serial interfaces and modular I/O options.

As a comprehensive gas control and alarm system, the MCX32-TP can monitor gas detection sensors and other field devices, while its modular architecture, combined with configurable enclosure options and support for wireless integration, provides flexibility.

Connected technologies are transforming how organisations achieve visibility. (Image source: MSA Safety)

In high-risk industrial environments, safety depends on visibility, says MSA Safety

Knowing where workers are, understanding the conditions they are operating in, and responding quickly when something goes wrong are fundamental to protecting people and maintaining operational integrity.

Today, connected technologies are transforming how organisations achieve this visibility. Gas detectors, wearable devices and monitoring platforms can provide real-time insights into worker safety, enabling faster decision-making and more proactive risk management.

As connected safety becomes more widely adopted, organisations are increasingly considering how these systems fit within their existing operations. Connected safety solutions can be broadly understood through two approaches: outsourced monitoring services and integrated safety ecosystems.

Two approaches to connected safety

Connected safety solutions typically follow one of two approaches.

The first relies on outsourced monitoring services. In this model, alerts and worker status updates are routed to an external monitoring centre that operates around the clock. When an incident occurs, third-party agents review the alert and escalate the issue if necessary.

The second approach centres on integrated safety ecosystems. Here, connected devices feed data directly into a unified platform used by the organisation’s own safety team. Alerts, reporting and insights remain within the company’s operational structure, supporting alignment with existing processes.

Both approaches aim to improve worker protection, but they are suited to different operational needs. For example, outsourced monitoring can support organisations without dedicated in-house safety teams to manage alerts at all hours or, equally, those with in-house teams working standard business hours. While integrated approaches enable organisations that have round-the-clock safety teams to handle alerts internally within their existing workflows.

Why integration and access matter

Safety teams not only respond to incidents, but also work to understand why they occur and how they can be prevented. This understanding can improve significantly with access to accurate, comprehensive data and the ability to analyse it within the context of daily operations, regardless of how alerts are managed.

It is important to consider where safety data is stored, how it is accessed, and who should act on it. Different models support different organisational needs. For example, outsourced monitoring can provide reassurance for smaller teams, while integrated approaches may suit larger organisations that can manage safety processes in-house at all hours.

An integrated approach enables safety teams to maintain direct access to the information that matters most. By connecting detection devices with safety management platforms, organisations can help keep alerts, worker data and operational insights are readily available within their existing workflows.

Each approach offers different advantages depending on how safety is managed within the organisation. Where integrated systems are in place, safety teams can access and use data within their existing workflows, supporting a more proactive approach to safety management. This enables organisations to analyse patterns in exposure, identify emerging risks and refine safety procedures before problems escalate.

From monitoring to safety leadership

As industrial environments become more complex, the role of safety leaders is evolving. Today’s safety teams are expected not only to respond to alarms but also to shape strategies that prevent incidents altogether.

Systems that provide a complete view of safety performance across sites and operations can help safety leaders achieve these goals. Detection technologies, monitoring platforms and reporting tools can work together to create a single source of truth that supports faster, better-informed decisions.

For this reason, many organisations are moving towards integrated safety ecosystems rather than relying solely on standalone devices or external monitoring services. When detection technologies are designed to work within a broader safety platform, they become part of a connected system that supports both immediate protection and long-term safety improvement.

Supporting the next generation of gas detection

For industries operating in high-risk environments, such as entering confined spaces, gas detection remains a key component of this ecosystem. Workers need reliable instruments capable of identifying hazards while also feeding data into the wider safety strategy.

Modern gas detection technologies are increasingly designed with this integration in mind. By connecting detection devices with safety management platforms, organisations can gain real-time visibility into worker status and environmental conditions while also capturing valuable data for reporting and continuous improvement.

Solutions such as the ALTAIR io™ 6 Multigas Detector from MSA Safety are designed to support this ecosystem-led approach. By combining advanced multi-gas detection with seamless integration into connected safety platforms, organisations can enhance worker protection while maintaining control of their data and supporting compliance within existing safety processes.

Looking ahead

Connected safety is not simply about adding new technology to the workplace. It is about building systems that give organisations the insight and flexibility needed to protect workers effectively.

As connected technologies continue to evolve, organisations will gain the greatest value from solutions that integrate easily into their operations, support streamlined compliance processes and accountability, and provide clear, actionable insights to the teams who help keep people safe.

To explore how integrated gas detection can support a connected safety ecosystem, discover more about the ALTAIR io™ 6 Multigas Detector and the wider connected safety solutions from MSA.

The luminaires are suited to hazardous environments such as petrochemical plants. (Image source: Emerson)

Emerson has launched the Appleton RNLED and RELED Series, two new lines of recessed and surface-mount LED luminaires suited for hazardous and corrosive industrial environments including offshore rigs, chemical and petrochemical plants

Certified to ATEX and IECEx hazardous location standards, Appleton RNLED and RELED Series luminaires feature solid-state LED technology to ensure a longer service life, instant-on directional illumination, and dramatically lower energy and maintenance costs.

Highly versatile and configurable, the luminaires are offered in three distinct platform geometries covering the broadest range of ceiling configurations and lighting requirements with lumen outputs from 1,508 to 7,789 lumens and four colour temperatures (5000K, 4000K, 3000K, and 2200K). Emergency battery backup options are available. Also provided is 0–10V continuous dimming capability for integration with Appleton Group Lighting Controls infrastructure.

Appleton RELED luminaires are dual-certified for Gas Groups in ATEX/IECEx Zone 1 and Zone 2, and Dust Groups in Zone 21 and Zone 22, making it the specification choice for primary hazardous zones where high ignition-risk classification is mandatory. Appleton RNLED luminaires are certified for Zone 2, Zone 21 and Zone 22 applications, delivering ATEX/IECEx compliance at optimised cost.

All models are certified to robust mechanical standards, including resistance to vibration, corrosion, and impact. The luminaire’s IP66-rated, gasketed enclosures can be specified in rugged 304 stainless steel, 316L stainless steel, or painted 304 stainless steel, each selected for specific corrosion resistance profiles in chemical, marine, offshore, and washdown-intensive environments. The high-impact-resistance housing is rated to 20 Joules (IK10), with a wire guard fitted on tempered glass cover to protect against mechanical impact in high-traffic industrial zones.

In addition, advanced thermal management maintains safe junction temperatures across the full operating temperature range, preserving both lumen output and driver longevity. Lumen maintenance life is estimated at more than 150,000 hours at +55°C (+131°F).

The RNLED and RELED Series are engineered for simple deployment without compromising electrical compatibility or serviceability.

The field-replaceable LED driver allows maintenance technicians to swap the driver module on-site, reducing repair time in hazardous area environments.

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