Inflatable Rubber Fender High Impact Absorption Excellent Seawater Resistance Lightweight

Inflatable Rubber Fender High Impact Absorption Excellent Seawater Resistance Lightweight

Description

The Standard Yokohama Rubber Fender is one of the most widely adopted marine energy-absorption solutions for ports, terminals, and ship-to-ship operations worldwide. It is specifically designed to absorb berthing energy generated during vessel docking, mooring, and transfer operations, effectively minimizing impact forces on ship hulls, quay walls, and marine structures.

The fender is manufactured using high-grade synthetic rubber as the main body material, reinforced with multiple layers of high-tensile nylon tire-cord fabric. This composite construction provides exceptional tensile strength, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability while maintaining excellent flexibility. The outer rubber layer is formulated for superior resistance to abrasion, ultraviolet radiation, seawater corrosion, and long-term weather exposure.

Structurally, the fender adopts a multi-layer composite design. The outer protective rubber layer shields the fender from mechanical wear and harsh marine environments. Beneath it, the reinforced cord layers distribute stress evenly during compression, preventing localized deformation. The inner airtight chamber is equipped with a high-precision inflation valve, allowing efficient air pressure control. When subjected to berthing loads, the fender undergoes controlled elastic deformation, gradually compressing internal air to absorb kinetic energy and reduce peak reaction force.

In terms of performance parameters, the Standard Yokohama Rubber Fender offers a wide range of energy absorption capacities depending on size and internal pressure, capable of handling berthing forces from medium-sized cargo vessels to large ocean-going ships. It demonstrates excellent wear resistance even when in contact with rough concrete, steel structures, or vessel hull coatings. The fender operates reliably within a temperature range of approximately -30°C to +60°C, ensuring consistent performance in both cold-region ports and tropical waters. High elastic recovery ensures rapid shape restoration after compression, supporting repeated use over extended service life.

This fender is extensively used in commercial ports, oil and gas terminals, ship-to-ship transfer operations, temporary berthing facilities, offshore platforms, and emergency docking situations where flexible and mobile protection is essential.

Case Study

A major multipurpose port in Southeast Asia experienced frequent hull scratches and quay wall damage due to aging fixed fender systems. The port primarily accommodates bulk carriers and container vessels ranging from 30,000 to 80,000 DWT. The berth structure consists of reinforced concrete quay walls, and the area is characterized by significant tidal variation and high vessel traffic density.

To address these challenges, the port authority introduced Standard Yokohama Rubber Fenders as both an interim and long-term protective solution. The fenders were suspended along the quay using marine-grade chains and ropes, with vertical positioning adjusted according to tidal levels. During berthing, vessels made first contact with the pneumatic fenders, which absorbed the approach energy smoothly through controlled air compression.

After implementation, berthing operations became noticeably smoother, with reduced vibration and impact noise. Operational efficiency improved as vessels required fewer maneuvering adjustments. Safety performance increased significantly, with near-elimination of hull and quay damage incidents. From a cost perspective, maintenance expenses related to concrete repair and hull coating restoration were substantially reduced. Client feedback highlighted the system’s flexibility, durability, and ease of handling as key advantages.

Specifications

Features