Marine fenders are safety equipment and are technically compulsory for every vessel. They typically act as a cushion between ships and berthing areas. During docking and mooring, when a boat arrives at a pier, it experiences a sudden hit. Marine fenders generally play a crucial role in absorbing the impact.
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The main job of ship fenders is to keep the damage to the ship and the pier to a minimum. They also contribute significantly to overall marine safety by absorbing the kinetic energy of the boats. This absorption generally reduces the structural damage of your boat.
Boat fenders come in many shapes and sizes. These shapes and sizes are usually made to fit different kinds of boats. They also take part in the overall cost of your business. It’s a very important part of making your boats and docks last longer. This way, you can save a considerable amount of maintenance costs.
Marine fenders are typically energy-absorbing devices. They protect ships and docks as a barrier between the vessel and the pier. Marine fenders’ main job is to reduce the impact during docking and mooring. When impact, it absorbs the kinetic energy of moving ships. This absorption will prevent damage to both the boat and the structure.
Ship fenders generally distribute the impact force over a large area. This even distribution helps protect your ship hull and the dock from cracks, dents, or other damage. Without fenders, the pressure from docking can cause problems you may not want.
Marine fenders have evolved significantly. In the past, people used wood or bundles of rope as fenders. Although they can provide basic protection, that isn’t enough for continuous operations. Modern ship fenders are made from rubbers, foams, or composites. These materials can absorb much more energy. Also, you can use them in harsh environments. Some fenders may also be equipped with steel panels. The addition of these reinforcement materials typically improves their performance.
Over the years, fender technology has advanced significantly. Engineers now design fenders to meet specific needs. What type of vessel are you using? How about the design? What size are you looking for? Jerry Borg Marine offers a whole package of services, from computer modeling to testing. JBM fenders are more reliable and efficient.
Marine fenders are not limited to a single shape and size. They can be of various types, shapes, quality, and materials. You must find the most appropriate one to get the best result on your boat or ship. In this case, you must consider a few factors to find the most suitable one. Selecting the right marine fender is crucial for safe and efficient docking.
What kind of marine fenders you need depends on the boat’s type and size. When bigger ships arrive and depart, they release more kinetic energy. You’ll need the right size of marine fenders to handle this much force. You can generally categorize vessels into three main types: small, medium, and large.
Yachts or fishing boats are considered small boats. They typically need smaller fenders. These are lightweight and easy to handle. For these boats, you will typically need cylindrical or foam fenders.
Cargos or ferries are mainly considered boats or ships of average size. Here, the vessels are often subjected to large impact forces. Therefore, more massive fenders are typically required. In general, cone or arch fenders are used for cargo ships.
The ship’s hull shape also matters when you choose the marine fenders. Flat-sided ships often need fenders that can evenly distribute impact. However, the choice of fenders is also different for curved or angle hulls.
Did you observe how the marine industry evolved? From the sixteenth century to today, this industry has made significant progress. Walking along with the technology today, you will find many vessels navigating rivers, seas, and oceans.
This diverse market exists due to solid communication between countries. New technology has sped up transmission and made ships safer and more functional. This market is growing, which helps trade and communication around the world. Because of this, marine fenders come in many types to meet this vast market.
Diversity exists because docking conditions and vessel types vary. The following three categories are the most common in the marine industry.
Pneumatic fenders are manufactured to be inflatable and flexible. As the name suggests, they are filled with high-pressure air. The materials used for these items are mostly rubber. However, these marine fenders are widely prevalent in large ships and boats.
Foam-filled fenders are durable, unsinkable, lightweight, and need little maintenance. They work well for small—to medium-sized vessels in marinas or docks. Two of the most common types are workboat rendering systems and donut fenders.
The workboat rendering system is typically designed for tugboats and workboats. It usually provides continuous protection during vessel operations. These marine fenders are durable and can handle repeated impacts.
Donut fenders are typically circular and fit around monopiles. They rotate and slide to protect vessels during berthing. This unique design technically makes these marine fenders ideal for areas with strong tides.
Rubber fenders are the most popular type of marine fenders. Rubber lasts a long time and works well in various conditions. Marine rubber fenders come in several different styles. Cell, cone, arch, ME, and D are well-known.
Remember that each type of fender is used for a different thing. If you can successfully choose the right one, you can eventually ensure the safety and efficiency of docking.
The type of berthing also significantly impacts the choice of marine fenders. In this case, the depth of the water, the waves, and the weather are very important.
When the tide is higher, shields are usually needed to cover a larger area. In this case, you can pay attention to the highest tide.
The depth of the water may limit the type of fenders you can use. In this case, the best fenders are those with a low shape.
Marine fenders must be robust enough to withstand bad weather, such as high winds or waves. When this happens, docking forces usually get stronger.
Berthing speed produces varying impacts. Ships approaching at higher speeds create more energy. In such cases, marine fenders that can absorb this last longer.
The materials used in fenders tell you how long you can use them. Each material, in this case, offers unique pros and cons. Note that the choice of material mainly depends on the docking environments and the type of vessel you are using. Rubber fenders are great for ports with heavy traffic. On the other hand, foam fenders might do better for small marinas.
What is the Difference Between a Fender and a Bumper?
Both a fender and a bumper are used for protection. People generally know them as components of automotive vehicles, but they are also critical in marine vessels.
A fender protects the wheels and body of the car and vessel. It plays a crucial role in protecting the ship from impact and damage caused when berthing. Conversely, a bumper is a protective structure on the front or rear of a vehicle. It absorbs impact during minor collisions.
What is a Mooring Fender?
A mooring fender is a critical component used in marine environments. It is placed on docks, piers, or ships to prevent damage during mooring. These fenders absorb the impact of the vessel against the dock or another boat. As mentioned in the above sections, they come in various types.
What are Fender Panels?
Fender panels are parts of a vehicle’s body that cover the wheel arches. In the case of vessels, they are protective structures used with mooring fenders. They are typically large, flat panels made of primarily metals.
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Marine Fender Systems used in the Maritime Industry has evolved throughout time. Utilization of readily available materials such as woods or logs, rope paddings, and used tires has been seen in the earlier centuries. More advanced concepts however have emerged in the contemporary period giving us wide range of marine fender varieties at present.
Marine Fender Manufacturers did not fail to devise and innovate options for Maritime Companies and Authorities in catering the needs of the Industry especially in their quest for loss prevention, in money, time, & human life.
Marine Fender Systems nowadays are highly effective, long lasting, while maintained economical and practical. As assurance measure, marine fenders are installed permanently at the hull or head of a vessel itself and at berthing structures to prevent or minimize damages in cases of collisions or overshooting.
With the vast number of options available in market today, choosing the best material and system for a certain application is a valuable key in a project’s success. As an unselfish contribution, ESC has derived a guide incorporating necessary details and parameters about the products and systems that enables clients to get started on their sourcing process.
Marine Fender Type: Cone Fender
Features: Considered the most modern and has the highest energy to reaction ratios of any fender currently in use. The high efficiency of the fender allows a smaller, less costly, rubber fender to be installed. They are equipped with large front panels to distribute the reaction force keeping the hull pressure low & distributed.
Marine Fender Type: Cell Fender
Features: Known to be the most commonly used fenders which displays the lowest reaction force per unit energy absorbed among all types. They are the most durable rubber fenders available and are currently the largest moulded fenders made.
Marine Fender Type: Arch Fender
Features: Simple, one-piece fender units that provides incredible shear resistance. The distinct shape of these fenders helps them dissipate the stress evenly.These are most reliable fenders which serve their purpose effectively even in severe most conditions. Can be installed horizontally or vertically.
Marine Fender Type: Element Fender
Features: Element fender provides a compact solution for the mounting of fenders in limited areas. They are one of the most durable type which can be installed horizontally or vertically.
Marine Fender Type: Square / D-Type Marine Fender
Features: Compression-moulded rubber fenders which are directly fastened to structures using bolt fasteners. They are used in tough & demanding environment, designed to operate in harsh conditions, and has great shear resistance and durability.
Marine Fender Type: Pneumatic Fender
Features: Marine fenders used as anti-collision devices preventing ship-to-ship contacts. These floating fender also serves as additional fender system when existing ones at the dock are not enough. Extensively used in ship to ship transfers at open seas, double banking operations, and vessel-to-berth at jetties.
Marine Fender Type: Foam Filled Fender
Features: Floating type compression fender alternative and works comparably to pneumatic fenders. It consists of an outer polyurethane protective layer, a reinforced rubber nylon cord fabric, and internal space that is filled with foam to absorb impact.
Marine Fender Type: Roller Fender
Features: Roller fenders are mostly not designed to absorb high impacts. They are designed to guide vessels in narrow canals
Type by Material: Foam or Rubber Fender
Type by Area of Application: Dock Fender
Accessories: Anchorages
Advantages:
* Low in maintenance. * Their elastomer can turn on its axis in contact with moving ships, helping them move away from the protected line.
Recommended Application: Protection of corners or similar on docks. They are most applicable in dry docks, ship repair yards, and other passage ways.
Marine Fender Type: Cylindrical Fender
Features: Extruded cylindrical fenders are simple yet commonly used when talking about safe berthing for different kinds of vessels. They are highly durable against long periods of heavy use. They can be placed diagonally if required.
Type by Material: Rubber Fender
Type by Area of Application: Dock Fender
Accessories: Chain Anchors
Advantages: Very economic design solution in protecting berthing structures. Low maintenance due to easy installation/uninstallation and less steel parts.
Recommended Application: Very wide range of applications & sizes of ships depending on size of fender. Tug havens, general cargo quays, pontoons, piers, cargo berths, fishing berths.
ESC Group, in partnership with PIANC accredited Manufacturers, has over 20 years of experience delivering marine fender system solutions to Asia, North America, Central & South America, Europe and Middle East. ESC's global network provides an end-to-end solution that is customized to project requirements providing detailed support in close proximity to its valuable clients.
ESC has also developed a tool that aids in calculating berthing loads for the project's complete vessel range which are then used to specify the optimal fender configuration which includes - rubber fender selection, frontal panel sizing and location, chain and anchor design and if appropriate cathodic protection design.