DNV GL Issues First Standard for Certification of Offshore Gangways

DNV GL has published the first industry standard providing guidance on offshore personnel transfer by gangway.

DNVGL-ST-0358 will contribute in documenting and securing safe operational performance of offshore gangway solutions and contribute to predictability and transparency within the industry, DNV GL said.

“By addressing a complete set of requirement for materials, strength, safety and functionality as well as testing and recommended in-service follow-up, we have created a specific and dedicated standard to make gangway operation safer and more efficient,” says Per Arild Åland, Business Development, Offshore Classification, DNV GL – Maritime.

Until now, the ISO7061 standard from 1993 has partly served as a reference document by industry for offshore gangway applications despite only addressing ship-to-shore transfers. Next to the ISO07061, offshore gangways are also certified against man-riding crane standards. The limited relevance and lack of offshore specific requirements has driven the development for a dedicated offshore gangway standard providing in-depth and specific guidelines on offshore gangway operation, the company said.

The publication of the industry guidance is a result of a DNV GL-led joint industry W2W (“walk-to-work”) project from 2013, examining offshore gangway transfer operations.

The new Standard for Certification of Offshore Gangways, DNVGL- ST-0358, covers the majority of gangway operations offshore including where there is controlled or uncontrolled people flow.