MMG OCEAN SHOW PATENTED GANGWAY SYSTEM AT AQUA NOR 2025

Trondheim, Norway – 19–21 August (Stand: D-343)

MMG Ocean will be exhibiting at Aqua Nor 2025 in Trondheim, Norway, from 19 to 21 August, demonstrating – with a scale model – how its patented gangway systems are transforming safety and efficiency in the aquaculture sector.

As the inventors and manufacturers of the MMG Ocean Gangway Systems – available in both manual and automated configurations – MMG has been at the forefront of marine access innovation since securing global patent protection in 2018.

Engineered to enhance safety and streamline operations in dynamic marine environments, the MMG Ocean Gangway features a proprietary folding mechanism that ensures secure vessel access across all tidal conditions, including regions with extreme tidal variations. This capability is proving invaluable for aquaculture operators working in challenging coastal locations, where tidal range and vessel movement can present major operational hazards.

Irish aquaculture company, Bradan Beo Teoranta, recently introduced MMG Ocean gangways to access their feed barges. The hinged, folding gangway is compactly stowed as the workboat approaches the feed barge. Using a remote control linked to an electric winch, the crew deploys the gangway smoothly as the vessel comes alongside. Once in place, it provides safe, stable access from boat to feed barge. The integrated 360° wheel-trolley compensates for both barge and boat movement, ensuring safe boarding even in challenging sea conditions.

“As aquaculture sites are moved further offshore, ensuring safe access has become more of a challenge for operators,” said Martin McGuiness, managing director of MMG Ocean. “Our gangway systems provide dependable, secure access in all conditions, allowing crews to focus on their work without worrying about vessel stability or tidal constraints.”

MMG’s dedication to design and innovation has earned its gangway systems a trusted reputation across the marine industry. Whether used for personnel transfers, operational support, or maintenance activities, MMG Ocean Gangway Systems deliver robust, long-lasting solutions tailored to the realities of aquaculture operations.

Visitors to Aqua Nor can see the MMG Ocean Gangway up close at stand D-343, where the MMG team will be on hand to discuss the system’s design, operation, and proven performance in aquaculture and other marine sectors.

MMG Ocean is exhibiting with its partner company, Ocean Kinetics. The two businesses collaborate on a range of innovative projects, including cathodic protection and salvage jobs for the aquaculture industry, port and harbours. The exhibition serves as an ideal platform for industry professionals to explore how the companies’ combined and innovative solutions contribute to the advancement of marine-related projects.

MMG Ocean – EI Forum

MMG Ocean is speaking at the prestigious (annual) Enterprise Ireland Offshore Wind Forum at the AVIVA Stadium on Tuesday 22nd October 2022.

Martin McGuinness MMG Ocean Managing Director will address the topic:
Market Opportunity, Innovation and Collaboration in Offshore Wind.

Martin will talk about the company’s collaborative work with XOCEAN: a practical example of innovative collaborative design in the offshore wind sector.

See the case study on the XOCEAN project. 

MMG Ocean & Ocean Kinetics Sponsor Causeway Award for Collaboration

MMG Ocean and Ocean Kinetics have jointly sponsored an award at the annual Causeway Awards dinner in Edinburgh, at the magnificent Assembly Rooms Edinburgh on 10th October 2024.

Causeway is an organisation (supported by the Irish and Scottish Governments (that seeks to support collaboration and trade relationships between businesses in Scotland and Ireland. MMG Ocean is a member of Causeway through the Killybegs Marine Cluster, and this Causeway relationship has been immensely beneficial in cultivating new relationships in Scotland.

MMG Ocean – Ocean Kinetics is a is prime example of how collaboration between companies in Ireland and Scotland can be of immense benefit to those businesses in terms of skills, talent attraction, capacity, and accessing new markets and opportunities.

Based on the success of our own investment collaboration, MMG Ocean – Ocean Kinetics are keen to encourage others to explore and develop collaboration between Scotland and Ireland, and sponsoring this award is one tangible way to do that. We are very happy to sponsor the Causeway Collaboration award, and hope that all of the award nominees and the award winners (Axis Healthcare Consulting, Galway) achieve as much as we are achieving through collaboration.

First Gangway Orders for the Offshore Wind Market

In March – April 2024 MMG Ocean won its first significant contracts for gangway systems in the offshore wind sector.

The first important contract is for the design and production of custom hydraulic and telescopic gangways for two Njord Offshore crew transfer vessels that will be operating in UK offshore wind.  These are the first two in a series of new vessels commissioned by Njord Offshore to service the growing opportunity in offshore wind.  The first commission, which will go into service in May 2024 is the Njord Amundsen.

In parallel with this exciting CTV gangway project, MMG Ocean is currently completing the production of a large retractable crew transfer ladder and mounting/support structure for Causeway GeoTech’s new jack-up barge Causeway Giant II.

The company has designed this structure to exacting marine standards, and on (imminent) completion of the build the crew transfer ladder will be fully FAT tested quayside at Killybegs harbour before shipment.

These combined wins in crew transfer to offshore wind installations and jack-up barges for carrying out preliminary works for future offshore wind installations represent a major breakthrough for MMG Ocean, in a sector that will form a large part of the company’s future.

Managing director of MMG Ocean, Martin McGuiness said: “These wins are very good news for MMG Ocean. We are establishing ourselves as market leaders of safety gangways for crew transfer as well as building business in innovative ORE design, prototyping and fabrication. These two projects are perfect examples of both our gangway design and the design – prototyping – fabrication of a ‘first-build’ retractable ladder structure for jack-up, to exacting marine safety standards.

“Our gangways are being favoured in this safety-conscious sector operating in unpredictable conditions, and in very wide tidal ranges. Based on the unique design features the gangway remains compliant in terms of gradient and step angles at all states of the tide.”

MMG Ocean Expands Manufacturing Facilities

In April 2024, MMG completed a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility, with the commissioning of new machinery.

The new space has increased the production area by over 30 per cent and has significantly increased production capacity, thanks to the improved lifting and handling capacity from the gantry crane facilities in the new factory bay.

MMG Ocean can now accommodate projects of significant scale. For example, the first project through the new bay is a large retractable crew transfer ladder and mounting/support structure for Causeway GeoTech’s new jack-up barge Causeway Giant II.  The new area and crane facilities allow MMG Ocean to complete this project with relative ease.

In addition to this expanded production facility, MMG Ocean has two acres of outside laydown storage and an assembly area.  And there is an additional 15 acres for future expansion.

Managing director of MMG Ocean, Martin McGuiness, said: “The new facilities have given us the capacity we need to expand into the design and manufacture of larger marine structures, and of course to continue the growth of our gangway systems to an ever-increasing customer base in aquaculture, fishing, and offshore wind.”

Atlantic Technological University and the Killybegs Marine Cluster Delegation

The Atlantic Technological University and the Killybegs Marine Cluster recently hosted a unique delegation from several government departments. These included representatives from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the Department of Transport; and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

The delegation, which was also joined by Donegal County Council and Enterprise Ireland, is part of a newly established cross-government Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce. Site visits were made to several members of the Killybegs Marine Cluster, including MMG Ocean, Atlantic Dawn Group, and Mooney Boats Ltd.

MMG Ocean hosted the delegation in the brand-new factory bay, which was recently completed and opened with investment from Ocean Kinetics, and support from BIM.

During the visit, discussions focused on the growth opportunity in offshore wind, and particularly on opportunities for collaboration, skills development, building the supply chain across Ireland and Scotland, and the development of innovative product solutions for the global offshore wind market.

MMG Ocean – Ocean Kinetics is a great example of collaboration between Ireland and Scotland focused on the massive opportunities in marine engineering for offshore wind.

QQI Level 6 Metal Fabrication Qualification Donegal

Huge Congratulations to Shane McHugh who has recently graduated with a QQI Level 6 Metal Fabrication Qualification.

This 4-year apprenticeship programme consisted of on-site competence testing as well as three separate phases of modular assessments and examinations which Shane successfully completed at Tralee ETB Training Centre & Cork Technological University. In recognition of his consistently high standard of results, Shane was also shortlisted for a World Skills Ireland Award in Metal Fabrication.

Shane pictured centre along with Sean Byrne Apprenticeship Accessor, and Shaun Murrin Engineering Supervisor, is part of the team for almost five years and is the first apprentice to qualify through MMG. From providing a support service to the marine industry to manufacturing gangway systems for exportShanes work ethic is always exceptionally high and professional.

This is just the beginning for Shane as he will continue in his role with MMG where he will have access to further training and development in various areas within the blue economy, as well as opportunities to gain valuable experience at our partner Ocean Kinetics base in Scotland.

Shane’s talents go beyond marine engineering he is a member of the famous Kilcar Pipe Band and is also highly skilled in all aspects of farming operations.

Apprentices are an integral part of the future for MMG Ocean, as a company with a focus on innovation we plan to offer opportunities to successive generations. Recruitment through apprenticeship programmes is proving to be particularly beneficial for both the individual and the company as they are trained to such a high standard, are rich in ideas, and bring a fresh perspective to projects that they work on.

MMG Ocean Collaboration and Investment Partnership with Ocean Kinetics – will drive growth in the Blue Economy

Killybegs Marine Engineering company MMG Ocean has announced a significant strategic investment & strategic partnership with major Shetland marine engineering specialist Ocean Kinetics.

This collaboration will lead to an expansion of facilities and jobs at MMG Ocean, and it creates a partnership that will drive innovation and growth in the marine engineering sector in Ireland, Scotland, and Internationally.

Shetland-based Ocean Kinetics’ investment in the Killybegs-based company follows the two businesses’ past collaboration on a number of successful projects, including an innovative clean energy storage system for the aquaculture sector and the construction of marine grade metal frames for deployment in offshore wind developments.

The new partnership is also proving to be mutually beneficial with work being referred across the two businesses. For example, a contract with US company LDX for specialised high quality cooling filters which were fitted at the Intel Leixlip semiconductor facility in Ireland relied on Ocean Kinetics’ expertise and facilities for the manufacture of these high spec components, while MMG Ocean’s gangways have been installed on the Shetland pelagic fishing fleet vessels Antares, Charisma, and Zephyr, and another will be installed on Antarctic II which is currently being built in Astilleros Zamacona, Bilbao, Spain.

Managing director of Ocean Kinetics, John Henderson, said: “We are really excited about our partnership with MMG Ocean, which brings together Ocean Kinetics’ extensive industry experience, market reach, and resources with MMG Oceans’ innovative product development, expertise, and access to European markets. It undoubtedly underscores the synergy between the two companies and positions us as industry leaders across a range of sectors.

“Building from an established relationship, we now have a solid base from which to expand our reach and create transformative engineering solutions that bring genuine innovation to the marketplace.”

Managing director of MMG Ocean, Martin McGuiness, said: “Our collaboration with Ocean Kinetics opens up immense opportunities, and we believe that our partnership will give us the capacity to expand and deliver a much wider offering than each of us currently has.

“Fusing the design expertise and production capacity of both companies gives us the ability to fulfil major contracts in renewables, energy, marine, aquaculture and fisheries, decommissioning, power, and utilities sectors across the UK, Ireland, Europe, and beyond.

Ocean Kinetics, which has been operating since 1992, are experts in engineering, with specialisms including fabrication in steel, stainless and aluminium, machining and fabrication, inspection and testing, as well as other services, including rope access, specialist diving, and underwater works such as jetty refurbishment and cathodic protection. The company has workshops and design offices in Shetland, Aberdeen, and Orkney, and a sales office in Oban.

MMG Ocean are experts in coded welding and marine fabrication – also working in steel, stainless steel and aluminium. MMG has a dedicated focus on quality and innovation, providing innovative, sustainable, engineering solutions, products, and services to the marine, aquaculture, fishing, and energy sectors – to ISO and DNV standards.

In 2018 MMG secured a European and US patent on its leading product, MMG Ocean Gangway Systems®, which features a unique folding mechanism designed to provide customised, automated safe gangway access to vessels (at all tidal ranges) in fishing, ferries, workboats in all offshore and inshore sectors.

Killybegs company’s new passenger gangway welcomes bigger cruise ships!

Bigger and More Frequent Arrivals:

Killybegs Witnesses an Increase in Cruise Ships in Recent Months. Sinbad Marine Services Ltd, a local company, has unveiled a new gangway to accommodate the growing number of passengers expected to visit the Donegal port in the coming years.

With the arrival of MV Norwegian Star, the longest cruise ship to dock in Killybegs, the company proudly introduced its new 18-meter gangway. This investment not only signifies their confidence in the future of cruise tourism in County Donegal but also ensures the accommodation of larger cruise vessels, often not designed for the tidal range of the Northwest coast of Ireland. Built and designed by MMG Ocean in Killybegs, and with support from the BIM Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme, this gangway is a testament to the region’s commitment to welcoming these impressive ships.

Sinbad Marine’s newly unveiled 18-meter gangway offers passengers and crew a convenient and safe pathway for disembarking, allowing them to explore Killybegs or embark on local tours. This extended gangway ensures a more gentle and accessible experience for all guests with its wheelchair-friendly surface and generous 1-meter width.

Julie Parkinson, Director of Sinbad Marine, emphasized the changing landscape of tourism in Killybegs, saying, ‘Traditionally, summer was a quiet season in Killybegs, but the influx of cruise ships has transformed the town into a bustling destination for visitors. Killybegs has now become the third most popular cruise port in the Republic of Ireland, with a growing appeal for local businesses and attractions. This new gangway not only enhances Killybegs’ standing as an attractive port for cruise ships but also makes it a viable choice for larger vessels. Our investment in top-notch facilities reflects Sinbad Marine’s dedication to supporting and fostering the growth of cruise tourism in Killybegs.’