Marine Offshore Lifts
Request a free site survey for marine offshore lift installation todayAt Lift Services, we provide specialist marine offshore lifts engineered for use on ships, oil rigs, and offshore platforms.
These lifts are designed to withstand harsh marine environments, ensuring safe and reliable transport of crew, passengers, and equipment in challenging conditions.
Our systems meet stringent safety standards, featuring corrosion-resistant materials, weatherproof construction, and robust engineering to ensure optimal performance even under constant exposure to saltwater, humidity, and heavy usage.
Request a free site survey for marine offshore lift installation today.
What Are Marine Offshore Lifts?
Marine offshore lifts are heavy-duty elevator systems built specifically for ships, naval vessels, offshore drilling rigs, and floating platforms.
Unlike conventional lifts, they are engineered to cope with the unique challenges of a moving structure, including tilt, vibration, and harsh weather exposure.
At Lift Services, we supply lifts that can carry passengers, goods, or both, with custom designs to fit compact spaces.
These lifts include advanced safety systems such as anti-rollback brakes, sealed cabins, and backup power to ensure reliable operation at sea.
How Much Do Marine and Offshore Lifts Cost?
The cost of marine offshore lifts depends on type, load capacity, and installation requirements.
As a price guide:
Small crew lifts start at around £40,000–£70,000 in
Medium passenger and goods lifts range from £70,000–£120,000 in
Large heavy-duty offshore lifts designed for rigs and platforms can exceed £150,000 in
Prices include design, installation, and certification to marine safety standards. A tailored site or vessel assessment is always required to provide an accurate quotation.
What Are The Benefits of Marine and Offshore Lifts?
The main benefitof marine offshore lifts is safe and efficient transport in extreme environments.
Ensures reliable crew and passenger access between vessel or platform levels
Speeds up goods handling in in offshore and marine operations
Withstands harsh conditions with corrosion-resistant and weatherproof materials
Supports safety compliance with international marine regulations
Improves operational efficiency by reducing manual handling risks
Where Are Marine Offshore Lifts Installed?
Marine offshore lifts are installed on ships, yachts, offshore platforms, and floating facilities to provide safe and efficient vertical movement for crew, passengers, and equipment.
Their placement depends on the vessel’s structure, operational needs, and access requirements, with each installation designed to comply with maritime safety and classification standards.
In all cases, the lift’s design and installation must account for space limitations, structural movement, corrosion exposure, and classification society rules (such as DNV, Lloyd’s Register, or Bureau Veritas).
Marine offshore lifts are strategically installed across a wide range of vessels and offshore assets to improve safety, accessibility, and operational efficiency in challenging sea environments.
What Types of Marine Offshore Lifts Are Available?
Marine offshore lifts are available in various types, passenger, crew, goods, maintenance, access, and explosion-proof, each tailored for the unique challenges of maritime operations.
Several types of marine offshore lifts are available, each tailored to the specific needs of vessels, offshore platforms, and floating structures.
Some common types of marine offshore lifts include:
Passenger Lifts in : Designed to transport crew and passengers between decks on ships, cruise liners, yachts, and offshore platforms. These lifts are built to compact specifications with marine-grade finishes and comply with BS EN 81-20/50 and IMO safety regulations.
Crew Access Lifts in : Found on oil rigs, drilling platforms, and FPSOs, these lifts are used to move personnel safely between living quarters, control rooms, and working levels. Safety features such as anti-slip flooring, emergency lowering, and corrosion-resistant controls are standard.
Goods and Cargo Lifts in : Used to transport equipment, provisions, tools, and technical gear on vessels and offshore structures. These lifts often feature heavy-duty platforms, weather-sealed doors, and high load capacities for rough-duty use.
Service and Maintenance Lifts in : Installed in engine rooms, pump areas, or technical spaces where vertical access is required for maintenance personnel and components. Compact and designed for restricted environments, these lifts improve operational safety and efficiency.
Platform Lifts (Low Rise) in : Used for wheelchair access or short-distance crew movement, particularly on ferries, workboats, or yachts. They support compliance with BS EN 81-70 and accessibility regulations such as the Equality Act 2010.
Explosion-Proof Lifts (ATEX Rated) in : Specially built for use in hazardous offshore zones where flammable gases or vapours may be present. These lifts meet ATEX and IECEx standards and are used in oil and gas production facilities.
Each lift type can be customised for layout, materials, safety classification, and space constraints, with design approval from classification bodies such as DNV, Lloyd’s Register, or Bureau Veritas.
These lifts are designed to withstand corrosive environments, movement at sea, and space constraints, while meeting international safety and classification standards.
How Are Marine Lifts Different from Standard Lifts?
Marine lifts differ from standard lifts in their construction, materials, and design, as they are built to withstand harsh sea conditions and comply with maritime safety standards.
Marine lifts use marine-grade stainless steel, sealed electrical components, and specialist coatings to protect against salt air, humidity, and moisture—conditions not typically encountered in land-based environments.
Unlike standard lifts, marine lifts are engineered to withstand vessel movement, vibration, and shifting loads. Frames, guide rails, and fixings must accommodate flexing structures and dynamic forces at sea.
Apace is often limited on vessels and rigs, so marine lifts are designed with smaller footprints, machine-room-less systems, and custom dimensions to fit confined areas.
These differences are essential for ensuring safe, durable, and reliable lift operation on vessels and offshore platforms exposed to constant motion, corrosion, and limited access.
Marine lifts feature sealed wiring, IP-rated enclosures, and shock- and vibration-resistant components to prevent electrical faults caused by moisture ingress or ship movement.
While standard lifts follow BS EN 81 and LOLER, marine lifts must also comply with IMO guidelines and be certified by classification societies such as DNV, Lloyd’s Register, or Bureau Veritas, which impose additional safety and structural criteria.
Marine lifts often include features like manual evacuation systems, redundant braking, and automatic return-to-deck in case of power failure, essential for remote or at-sea use where access to support is limited.
Can Marine Offshore Lifts Be Retrofitted?
Marine offshore lifts can be retrofitted into existing vessels or platforms, provided structural and regulatory conditions are met.
Retrofitting is a practical solution when upgrading access, improving logistics, or replacing outdated lift systems without needing major vessel redesign.
Marine offshore lifts can be successfully retrofitted with the right design approach and structural evaluation.
Lift Services offers tailored retrofit solutions, including full technical surveys, structural adaptation planning, and regulatory coordination to ensure safe, compliant integration into your vessel or platform.
How Long Does Installation Take?
Installation typically takes 6 to 10 weeks, depending on complexity and vessel type.
For standard platform lifts or passenger lifts in pre-prepared shafts, installation can often be completed in 2 to 3 weeks.
More complex systems, such as goods lifts, car lifts, or multi-floor passenger lifts with bespoke features, can take 4 to 6 weeks or longer, particularly if the site needs structural modifications like pit construction or electrical upgrades.
Offshore projects often require additional planning to meet strict safety and compliance standards.
What Safety Features Are Included?
Marine lifts are equipped with anti-vibration technology, emergency brakes, watertight doors, sealed control systems, and backup generators to ensure safe operation at sea.
Marine offshore lifts include a range of safety features designed to ensure reliable and secure operation in harsh and dynamic environments.
These features are critical for protecting passengers, crew, and equipment, especially given the additional risks posed by vessel motion, salt exposure, and limited access during emergencies.
How Often Should Marine Offshore Lifts Be Serviced?
Marine offshore lifts should be serviced at least every 6 months, with more frequent checks recommended for high-use or safety-critical applications.
Servicing ensures ongoing compliance with international maritime standards, classification society rules, and lift safety regulations under LOLER 1998, PUWER 1998, and IMO guidelines.
Due to extreme operating conditions, marine lifts should be serviced more frequently than standard lifts, often monthly or quarterly, with full compliance checks against maritime safety codes.
Lift Services offers planned maintenance programmes that meet international and classification-specific requirements, ensuring safe and compliant lift operation at sea or offshore.
Are Marine Lifts Compliant with International Standards?
All lifts we provide meet IMO (International Maritime Organisation) and SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requirements, alongside UK and EU regulations .
Marine lifts are designed and installed in compliance with international standards to ensure safety, durability, and operational reliability in marine environments.
They meet both general lift regulations and specific marine engineering and classification requirements depending on the vessel type and operating region.
Get a Free Consultation for Marine Offshore Lifts Today
If you require marine and offshore lifts that are durable, compliant, and built for performance in the harshest environments, Lift Services can deliver a tailored solution.
Contact us today to book a free consultation and vessel or platform assessment.