SMST W2W and lifting solution for U.S. offshore wind
SMST has been awarded a contract by Fincantieri Marine Group for the delivery of a motion compensated gangway (Telescopic Access Bridge L-Series) with tower and height adjustment on the newbuild Service Operation Vessel (SOV) for CREST Wind, a joint venture between U.S.-based Crowley and ESVAGT. The smart SMST gangway with integrated crane function provides safe and smooth transfer of both people and cargo on board of the SOV that will support the emerging U.S. offshore wind industry.
The newbuild vessel incorporates the latest innovations and performance capabilities, to which the SMST equipment contributes significantly. “As a market leader in providing worldwide safe walk-to-work, SMST is constantly evolving their offshore equipment. The ABS certified gangway we are supplying to Fincantieri will feature a 3D motion compensated hoist and travel system with increased lifting capacity. This allows the gangway to be used for 3D offshore lifting and container handling in port,” explains Jan Eelke van der Meulen, Sales Manager at SMST.
With the delivery of the gangway and Access & Cargo Tower to the US offshore wind, SMST is again broadening its global walk-to-work operations. Jan Eelke van der Meulen states: “We are well acquainted with our equipment within the offshore industry in the US, but we are very proud to expand our services for walk-to-work in the emerging offshore wind sector in this region.”
The Jones Act-compliant service operation vessel will go into service in 2026 on a long-term charter deal with Siemens Gamesa, providing support to the Dominion Energy Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. “With the combined expertise of ESVAGT and Crowley, we can deliver the best of service to the evolving clean energy sector in the U.S. Working with Fincantieri, SMST will support this goal with their equipment to be installed, reliability and quality service, as the vessel helps advance the U.S. offshore wind development and performance,” according to Crowley’s Marcus von Spiegelfeld, Director of Vessel Operations for Offshore Wind.
Justin Slater, Director of Sales and Marketing of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, adds: “As a prime shipyard in the construction of SOVs for the offshore wind sector, we sought a partner with extensive knowhow and experience in delivering safe and efficient walk-to-work solutions. We found this in SMST.”