Horizon Gangway - Reliable Offshore  Transfers

IWS Fleet — Dogger Bank, North Sea
Horizon gangways operate across the IWS Skywalker-class CSOV fleet servicing Dogger Bank. After IWS introduced its first vessel, the operator raised their significant wave height threshold by half a metre based on the gangway’s demonstrated performance.

The IWS Seawalker was awarded the Offshore Energy Vessel of the Year Award 2025 at the Annual Offshore Support Journal Conference.
Horizon systems have been ordered for all six IWS Skywalker-class CSOVs, with additional systems across the Edda Wind fleet of eight vessels.

Read more 

KEY SYSTEM PARAMETERS

• Classification: DNV-ST-0358 Type 2 gangway, DNV-ST-0495 elevator
• Drive system: All-electric, permanent magnet motors
• Motion compensation: 5-DOF active
• Tip accuracy: ±50 mm design target under defined conditions
  
  [CLAIMS NOTE: Tip accuracy is a design target, not a DNV-mandated figure. DNV-ST-0358 does not prescribe numerical tip accuracy — acceptance criteria are proposed by the designer and agreed with Class on a case-by-case basis.]
  
  

Geometry and capacity

• Operational radius: 20–30 m
• Bridge clear dimensions: 1500 × 2200 mm
• Bridge capacity: 750 kg or 3 persons
• Emergency capacity: 5 persons and 1 stretcher
• Elevator capacity: 2000 kg (~26 persons)
• Waiting platform capacity: 2000 kg
  
  

Movements and speeds

• Luffing range: ±20°
• Slewing range: ±100°
• Telescope speed: up to 2.0 m/s
•  Elevator speed: 36 m/min
  
  

Environmental limits

• Operation: up to 20 m/s wind
• Deploy/retrieve: up to 25 m/s
• Survival: 44 m/s gust
• Temperature: −20°C to +45°C

• The Horizon’s geometry — tower height, cursor travel, bridge reach — is optimised for the vertical and lateral offsets between a CSOV main deck and a wind turbine transition piece. The integrated elevator removes the need for a separate crane lift to bring technicians and equipment to bridge level.
• Telescopic extension and motion compensation handle relative movement between vessel and turbine. The operator controls docking via the AROS control station, with the compensation system maintaining tip position within the ±100 mm tolerance required by DNV-ST-0358 during personnel transfer.
• The bumper docking head is pitch-agnostic (±6°), with controlled push-in force (100–1000 kg axial) measured by redundant load cells, winch torque monitoring, and control-system-derived normal force.

Horizon V4/V5 is prepared for future upgrades without full system replacement. These are not part of the current delivery but are designed into the architecture:

• Floating-to-Floating (F2F): Transfer flap replaces bumper head; control modified for dual-vessel alignment. Available as upgrade package after development completion.
• Cone landing: Changes certification from Type 2 to Type 1, enabling use as a certified escape route, passive compensation and unlimited connection time.
• Hover Mode: For when transfer is not possible using a physical contact to the asset.

The Horizon Gangway is designed for: 

• CSOVs (Commissioning Service Operation Vessels)
• SOVs (Service Operation Vessels)
• OCVs (Offshore Construction Vessels)

Its modular, electric design makes it ideal for newbuilds and retrofits in offshore wind service fleets.

Designed for Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) and Service Operation Vessels (SOVs), Horizon enables safe personnel and cargo transfer in significant wave heights (Hs) up to 3.5* m on a typical CSOV.
*Actual operational limits depend on a vessel-specific workability analysis combining the vessel’s motion characteristics with the gangway’s structural and control-system design limits.

• Offshore wind commissioning and maintenance
• Offshore oil and gas platform access and logistics
• Floating-to-floating transfer (FPSO, floatel, semi-submersible)
• Offshore construction and decommissioning support
• Integrated vessel motion-compensated access and cargo handling

The Horizon gangway integrates with MacGregor 3D motion-compensated cranes, forming a complete offshore access and cargo-handling package controlled from a single operator station.

The gangway is a 20-year asset. We support it accordingly.

• OnWatch Scout: Remote condition monitoring and performance analytics. Tracks system health, flags degradation trends, and supports predictive maintenance planning — reducing unplanned downtime and unnecessary inspections.
• Global service network: Spare parts, field service engineers, and technical support from MacGregor service hubs. Warranty and service agreements tailored to fleet size and operational profile. Remote access included during warranty period.
• Upgrades and retrofit: Software updates, control system upgrades, and hardware retrofits to extend capability over the vessel’s service life. Modular architecture means upgrades — including F2F capability — without full system replacement.

MacGregor has designed and built solutions for the offshore energy industry for many years, with a strong history of innovation in the development of motion compensated technology. 

Our extensive experience in this demanding sector, transfer of proven technologies, and development of automated solutions are supporting the progression of wind energy with a continuing focus on safety, reliability and optimum performance.

Horizon Gangway (this page)
Colibri Crane

To ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of the Horizon gangway and Colibri crane, MacGregor offers a comprehensive training program. This program combines theoretical instruction with simulator-based operator training, followed by practical hands-on sessions for both operation and maintenance.

The training concludes a Horizon gangway operator final verification test, ensuring that participants meet the required competency standards.

In addition to MacGregor’s standardized course content, the program can be tailored to include customer-specific topics. These may include operational procedures, company policies, and Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) requirements, ensuring alignment with each client’s operational framework.

For further information and contact details, please visit MacGregor Academy.