EHL Maritime & Naval Solutions: Delivering Complete Engineering Capability Across Global Marine Markets

Across the global maritime industry, operators face a common challenge: delivering safe, reliable, and efficient vessel operations while navigating increasingly complex technical, regulatory, and operational requirements.

Whether supporting a modern naval fleet, a commercial cargo vessel, an offshore support platform, or a state-of-the-art mega yacht, today’s maritime systems must integrate seamlessly across hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and automation disciplines.

EHL Group has developed a unique position within the global maritime sector by providing fully integrated engineering solutions designed around the operational needs of vessel owners, shipyards, defence organisations, and marine operators. While EHL’s gangways and accommodation ladders are widely recognised throughout the industry, the company’s maritime capability extends significantly further, encompassing launch and recovery systems, shell and hangar doors, hydraulic power units, remote control systems, electrical integration, automation, fabrication, installation, and lifecycle support.

The result is a true end-to-end maritime engineering partner capable of supporting projects from concept design through to decades of operational service.

The EHL Advantage: Integrated Maritime Engineering

In many marine projects, vessel operators engage multiple suppliers to provide separate hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, and automation systems.

This fragmented approach often creates challenges including:

Interface incompatibilities
Increased project risk
Longer commissioning periods
Higher lifecycle costs
Complicated maintenance requirements
Reduced operational reliability

EHL’s multidisciplinary engineering approach eliminates many of these challenges by delivering integrated systems engineered from the outset to work together. Hydraulic systems, electrical controls, structural components, automation platforms, and operator interfaces are developed as a coordinated solution rather than independent equipment packages.

This systems-level thinking is particularly valuable in defence, offshore, and superyacht environments, where reliability and operational availability are critical.

Maritime Access Systems: The Gateway to Safe Operations

Safe vessel access remains one of the most important operational requirements in maritime environments.

From naval personnel embarking during military operations to offshore crews transferring to support vessels and passengers boarding cruise ships, access systems directly impact safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

EHL designs, installs, maintains, and supports marine access systems that provide reliable transfer between vessel and shore, even in demanding operating conditions. These systems are engineered with a focus on:

Structural integrity
Corrosion resistance
Operational simplicity
Crew safety
Regulatory compliance
Long-term maintainability

Services include inspection, certification support, refurbishment, upgrades, maintenance, and complete system replacement programmes.

For operators, this translates into reduced downtime, lower maintenance costs, and improved crew confidence.

Advanced Accommodation Ladders and Gangways

Accommodation ladders and gangways remain among the most technically sophisticated vessel access systems operating at sea today.

Unlike conventional boarding solutions, modern gangways must accommodate:

Variable tidal conditions
Vessel movement
High load capacities
Limited deck space
Strict safety requirements
Demanding environmental conditions

EHL develops custom solutions that can incorporate:

Telescopic extension systems
Hydraulic deployment
Folded storage arrangements
Luffing and slewing mechanisms
Automated controls
Safety monitoring systems
Emergency override functionality
Integrated lighting and safety equipment

These systems are utilised across naval fleets, commercial vessels, offshore assets, and luxury yachts where rapid deployment and secure personnel transfer are essential.

Case Study: HMNZS Canterbury

One of EHL’s notable projects involved the supply of automated accommodation ladder systems for HMNZS Canterbury.

The system featured:

Dual automated accommodation ladders
Approximately 14.5-metre extension capability
Fully automated deployment operation
Load capacity of approximately 6,000kg

The outcome was improved operational efficiency, enhanced safety, reduced manual handling requirements, and greater deployment flexibility for naval operations.

The project demonstrates EHL’s ability to engineer solutions for military environments where reliability and operational readiness are paramount.

Shell Doors, Side Doors and Hangar Door Systems

Modern vessels increasingly require multifunctional access systems that serve operational, logistical, and safety requirements while maintaining vessel integrity.

EHL provides complete engineering services for:

Shell doors
Side doors
Hangar doors
Tender access systems
Access platforms
Specialised vessel openings
Integrated marine access configurations

These systems are deployed across:

Cruise vessels
Ro-Pax ferries
Offshore installations
Defence vessels
Yacht platforms
Special mission vessels

Each system must satisfy stringent requirements for:

Watertight integrity
Structural performance
Hydraulic reliability
Automation capability
Classification compliance

For superyachts, shell doors often become architectural features that transform into beach clubs, boarding platforms, tender garages, or entertainment areas.

Case Study: Luxury Yacht Applications

EHL has supported high-profile yacht projects where shell doors and access systems required a combination of sophisticated aesthetics, precision engineering, and flawless functionality. By integrating hydraulic systems with custom control interfaces and concealed mechanical systems, EHL delivered solutions that met both operational and design expectations.

Launch and Recovery Systems: Supporting Naval and Offshore Operations

As maritime operations become increasingly specialised, the safe deployment and recovery of vessels and equipment has become a critical operational capability.

EHL’s Landing Craft and Davit Line Tensioning Systems are designed to facilitate:

Launch and recovery operations
Small craft deployment
Autonomous vessel handling
Cargo transfer
Personnel movement
Offshore equipment management

These systems reduce risk by providing controlled launch and retrieval capabilities even under challenging environmental conditions.

Operational Example

Naval and offshore operators increasingly deploy unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and specialist craft. EHL’s engineering approach allows customised launch-and-recovery solutions to be developed around vessel size, sea-state conditions, operational requirements, and available deck space.

Central Hydraulic Power Units: The Core of Marine Functionality

Behind virtually every sophisticated marine handling system lies a highly reliable hydraulic infrastructure.

EHL’s Central Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) capability forms a foundation for many maritime systems, providing centralised hydraulic energy to multiple onboard functions.

Capabilities include:

Hydraulic system architecture
HPU design
Hydraulic manifolds
Control valve systems
Pressure management
Motion control
Redundancy systems
Integrated monitoring technologies

Applications include:

Gangways
Accommodation ladders
Shell doors
Hangar doors
Launch and recovery systems
Cargo handling equipment
Mission-specific naval equipment

By centralising hydraulic infrastructure, operators can simplify maintenance while improving overall vessel efficiency.

Remote Control and User Systems

Modern maritime operations increasingly demand automation and remote functionality.

EHL develops remote control and user interface systems that allow operators to manage critical vessel functions with enhanced visibility, safety, and operational efficiency.

Benefits include:

Reduced crew requirements
Faster system deployment
Enhanced safety monitoring
Improved diagnostics
Lower operational risk
Simplified operator training

These technologies are particularly valuable aboard naval, offshore, and autonomous-support vessels where reducing personnel exposure is a key operational objective.

Electrical and Control Systems Integration

A mechanical system is only as reliable as the controls that govern it.

EHL’s electrical and automation expertise enables seamless integration across all maritime equipment packages. Capabilities include:

PLC programming
Electrical design
HMI development
Safety systems
Sensor integration
System diagnostics
Alarm management
Condition monitoring

This integrated engineering approach ensures that hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical systems operate as a cohesive solution.

Fabrication, Installation and Commissioning Excellence

EHL’s capability extends beyond engineering design into practical delivery.

The company supports maritime projects through:

Detailed Engineering

Structural design
Hydraulic engineering
Electrical integration
Compliance assessment

Fabrication

Marine-grade steel fabrication
Stainless steel manufacture
Hydraulic assembly
Quality-controlled production

Installation

Shipyard integration
New-build projects
Vessel upgrades
Retrofit programmes

Commissioning

Functional testing
Performance validation
Sea trials support
Operator training

This full-service capability significantly reduces project complexity for vessel owners and shipbuilders.

Lifecycle Support: Protecting Maritime Assets for Decades

Marine equipment often operates for 20 to 40 years or more.

Recognising this reality, EHL provides lifecycle support services designed to maximise operational availability and asset longevity.

Support services include:

Maintenance programmes
Equipment audits
Refurbishment projects
Spare parts support
System upgrades
Modernisation programmes
Technical assistance
Emergency response support

This commitment ensures systems continue delivering value long after commissioning has been completed.

Conclusion: A Strategic Maritime Engineering Partner

EHL Group’s maritime capability extends far beyond accommodation ladders and gangways.

Today, the company delivers integrated engineering solutions spanning vessel access systems, shell and hangar doors, launch and recovery equipment, hydraulic power systems, automation platforms, electrical controls, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and long-term support.

For naval organisations, commercial operators, offshore industries, shipyards, and superyacht builders, EHL offers something increasingly rare in the maritime sector: a single engineering partner capable of designing, delivering, integrating, and supporting critical maritime systems throughout their entire lifecycle.

As vessel technology continues to evolve, EHL remains focused on helping customers improve safety, operational readiness, reliability, and performance through innovative engineering solutions built for the realities of modern maritime operations.

Contact the EHL Maritime Team: https://www.ehlsolutions.com/contact/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What maritime sectors does EHL support?

EHL supports a diverse range of maritime sectors, including naval and defence vessels, commercial shipping, offshore support vessels, cruise ships, ferries, specialist marine craft, superyachts, megayachts, and port infrastructure projects. Its multidisciplinary engineering capability allows solutions to be tailored to the operational requirements of each vessel type and industry segment.

2. What types of marine access systems does EHL provide?

EHL designs, engineers, installs, and supports a variety of marine access systems, including accommodation ladders, gangways, boarding systems, access platforms, and integrated vessel access solutions. Systems can be manual, hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, or fully automated depending on project requirements.

3. Are EHL’s accommodation ladders and gangways custom-designed?

Yes. Every vessel has unique operational, structural, and regulatory requirements. EHL develops bespoke accommodation ladders and gangways that consider vessel geometry, load requirements, deployment methods, available deck space, classification requirements, and operational conditions to ensure optimum performance and safety.

4. What shell door and access door solutions can EHL deliver?

EHL designs and supplies a broad range of marine door systems including shell doors, side doors, hangar doors, access doors, tender platforms, and custom-engineered vessel openings. These systems are commonly integrated with hydraulic actuation, automation systems, safety interlocks, and remote-control functionality.

5. Does EHL provide hydraulic system design and engineering?

Absolutely. Hydraulic engineering is one of EHL’s core competencies. The company provides complete hydraulic solutions including hydraulic power units (HPUs), cylinders, manifolds, pipework, control systems, hydraulic automation, and integrated marine motion-control applications.

6. What are Central Hydraulic Power Units (HPUs) and why are they important?

Central Hydraulic Power Units act as the heart of many vessel systems, providing hydraulic power for multiple onboard functions such as gangways, shell doors, launch and recovery systems, cargo handling equipment, and mission-specific equipment. A well-designed HPU can improve reliability, simplify maintenance, and increase overall vessel efficiency.

7. Does EHL provide launch and recovery systems for naval and offshore operations?

Yes. EHL designs and delivers launch and recovery systems, landing craft handling systems, and davit line tensioning systems. These solutions support the safe deployment and retrieval of personnel, vessels, cargo, and autonomous or remotely operated platforms in challenging marine environments.

8. Can EHL integrate electrical, automation, and remote-control systems?

Yes. EHL provides complete electrical and control system integration, including PLC programming, HMI development, sensor integration, remote operation systems, automation platforms, diagnostics, monitoring systems, and safety-critical controls. This allows operators to improve efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and enhance operational safety.

9. Does EHL only supply equipment, or can it manage complete projects?

EHL offers end-to-end project delivery. Services include concept development, engineering design, fabrication, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, testing, training, maintenance, refurbishment, and long-term lifecycle support. This enables clients to engage a single engineering partner throughout the project lifecycle.

10. Why do shipbuilders, naval organisations, and vessel owners choose EHL?

Clients choose EHL because of its ability to combine structural, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and automation engineering into integrated maritime solutions. Rather than supplying standalone components, EHL delivers complete systems that improve safety, reliability, operational efficiency, maintainability, and lifecycle performance across naval, commercial, offshore, and superyacht applications.

Bonus FAQ: How early should EHL be engaged in a shipbuilding or vessel upgrade project?

Ideally, EHL should be involved during the concept or design phase. Early engagement allows engineering teams to optimise access systems, hydraulic architecture, automation requirements, and vessel integration, reducing project risk, minimising costly redesigns, and improving overall lifecycle performance. However, EHL also has extensive capability supporting retrofits, vessel upgrades, refurbishment programmes, and operational improvements on existing vessels