Aberdeen-based Wellhead Electrical Supplies (WES), a key distributor and partner of Orga BV, is encouraging offshore operators to review their navigation lighting now, ahead of a change that will affect ageing aids to navigation systems from 2027.
Orga has confirmed that, from 2027, it will no longer supply or support incandescent navigation lighting. For years, incandescent lamps have remained available to keep older systems running, even as LED became the standard for new installations. That option is now being withdrawn.
Once manufacturer support ends, availability, reliability and maintenance planning all become more difficult, particularly for offshore assets where access is limited and intervention is costly.
Wellhead Electrical Supplies has worked in partnership with Orga for more than 30 years, supplying and supporting its IALA navigation and helideck lighting systems across the North Sea and internationally. The company is advising operators to use the time before the deadline to identify affected assets and plan LED upgrades on a timescale that suits them.
Brad Scarrott, Business Development Manager at WES, said: "This is a change the industry has seen coming, but it is easy to put off until it becomes a problem. The operators who will feel it least are the ones who act while there is no pressure to. There is still time to review existing systems and plan upgrades properly, rather than facing a scramble in 2027.
"Having worked with these systems throughout my career, and with Wellhead's long relationship with Orga behind us, we know them inside out. We can help operators review their current navigation lighting and manage the switch to LED from start to finish, so it is dealt with well before the deadline."
Wellhead Electrical Supplies provides hazardous area electrical equipment to offshore operators across the North Sea and internationally, supporting aids to navigation, helideck lighting and communications equipment.