Pneumatic Fender Quick Inflation Deflation High Wear Resistance Low Daily Maintenance
Description
Yokohama Rubber Fenders are highly adaptable pneumatic fender systems engineered for dry dock operations and ship launching applications. Designed to withstand repeated heavy impacts, they protect both hulls and dock structures during critical maintenance, repair, or vessel construction phases. The fenders are made from multi-layer reinforced synthetic rubber, bonded with high-tensile tire-cord fabric, ensuring uniform energy absorption, superior durability, and long operational life.
These fenders excel in situations where vessels are maneuvered within confined spaces, such as dry docks or launching berths, where precision and impact control are essential. The pneumatic design distributes compressive forces evenly across the fender surface, reducing localized stress on hulls and dock supports. Additionally, the fenders’ flexible structure accommodates various hull shapes and sizes, making them ideal for shipyards handling multiple vessel types, from small ferries to large naval ships.
Yokohama Rubber Fenders provide reliable performance under extreme operating conditions, offering excellent abrasion resistance, temperature tolerance, and weather resilience. By minimizing hull and dock damage, they reduce maintenance downtime and extend the service life of both vessels and dock infrastructure, making them indispensable in modern shipyard operations.
Case Study
A European shipyard faced challenges in launching newly constructed vessels up to 25,000 DWT. Traditional wooden and foam fender systems caused localized hull indentations and required frequent replacement. Hongruntong Marine supplied Yokohama Rubber Fenders customized for dry dock and slipway operations. The fenders were installed along the launching berths and dockside areas, with specific diameters and internal pressures tailored to vessel weight and hull curvature.
After implementation, vessel launches became smoother, hull damage incidents decreased substantially, and the shipyard achieved faster turnaround times for maintenance and construction projects. The success led to long-term adoption of Yokohama Rubber Fenders across multiple launching berths.
Specifications
| Place of Origin | China |
| Brand Name | Yokohama Rubber Fender |
| Material | Natural Rubber |
| Color | Black |
| Application |
In ports with extreme tidal variations Ship-to-ship lightering operations Oil Gas (typically FSRU) Temporary berthing |
| Feature | Heat Resistance |
| Sample | Usually free |
| Production Method | Moulding |
| Temperature | -40℃~300℃ |
| Packing | Pallets |
| Lead time | 7-14 days |
| Diameter x Length [mm] |
50kPa Performance Data |
80kPa Performance Data |
||||
| Hull Pressure at GEA / kN / m2 |
Reaction Force / kN |
Energy Absorption / kNm |
Hull Pressure at GEA / kN / m2 |
Reaction Force / kN |
Energy Absorption / kNm |
|
| 1000 x 1500 | 122 | 182 | 32 | 160 | 239 | 45 |
| 1000 x 2000 | 132 | 257 | 45 | 174 | 338 | 63 |
| 1200 x 2000 | 126 | 297 | 63 | 166 | 390 | 88 |
| 1350 x 2500 | 130 | 427 | 102 | 170 | 561 | 142 |
| 1500 x 3000 | 153 | 579 | 153 | 174 | 761 | 214 |
| 1700 x 3000 | 128 | 639 | 191 | 168 | 840 | 267 |
| 2000 x 3500 | 128 | 875 | 308 | 168 | 1150 | 430 |
| 2500 x 4000 | 137 | 1381 | 663 | 180 | 1815 | 925 |
| 2500 x 5500 | 148 | 2019 | 943 | 195 | 2653 | 1317 |
| 3300 x 4500 | 130 | 1884 | 1175 | 171 | 2476 | 1640 |
| 3300 x 6500 | 146 | 3015 | 1814 | 191 | 3961 | 2532 |
| 3300 x 10600 | 158 | 5257 | 3067 | 208 | 6907 | 4281 |
| 4500 x 9000 | 146 | 5747 | 4752 | 192 | 7551 | 6633 |
| * Other size can be produced follow client's requirements. | ||||||
Features
Precision Energy Absorption for Dry Dock Operations
The fenders are designed to absorb impact energy precisely, ensuring controlled reaction forces during vessel movement in confined spaces. This feature is critical during dry dock docking, undocking, or launching, preventing hull deformation and reducing structural stress on dock supports.
Customizable Dimensions and Pressure
Each fender can be tailored in diameter, length, and internal air pressure to match specific vessel sizes, hull shapes, and dock configurations. This flexibility allows shipyards to optimize protection and minimize the risk of damage during delicate operations.
High Abrasion and Wear Resistance
The reinforced rubber surface withstands repeated friction from hull contact, chains, and debris common in dry docks. The material’s wear resistance ensures that fenders maintain performance over thousands of docking cycles, reducing maintenance and replacement frequency.
Temperature and Weather Adaptability
Yokohama Rubber Fenders retain their flexibility and energy absorption capacity across a wide range of temperatures and marine environmental conditions. This ensures reliable performance in both indoor shipyards and open-air slipways exposed to sun, rain, and seawater.
Applications
Dry Dock Docking and Undocking Protection
These fenders are ideal for vessel docking and undocking in shipyards, preventing hull damage and distributing impact energy evenly across the dockside contact surfaces.
Ship Launching and Slipway Operations
In launching operations, fenders cushion vessels as they enter the water, protecting hulls and supporting infrastructure while ensuring smooth, controlled entry into the sea.
Maintenance and Repair Berths
During maintenance or retrofitting, Yokohama Rubber Fenders protect both hulls and dock walls from accidental contact with cranes, scaffolding, or other equipment in confined spaces.
Why Choose Hongruntong Marine
Specialized Knowledge in Shipyard Applications
Hongruntong Marine understands the unique challenges of dry docks and ship launching operations. Our team provides engineering guidance to ensure fender selection aligns with vessel weight, hull geometry, and operational requirements.
Custom Engineering and Performance Optimization
We offer tailored fender configurations, adjusting diameter, pressure, and reinforcement layers for specific shipyard operations. This ensures maximum protection and optimal energy absorption under varying operational conditions.
Proven Quality and Durability
All Yokohama Rubber Fenders undergo rigorous testing, including tensile strength, compression, and abrasion resistance assessments, ensuring reliable performance in high-frequency docking and launching operations.
Comprehensive Technical Support
Hongruntong Marine provides full technical support, including installation guidance, inspection protocols, maintenance planning, and operational training to ensure safe, efficient shipyard operations and long fender service life.
FAQ
1. Can these fenders accommodate vessels of various hull shapes?
Yes, the pneumatic and flexible design allows fenders to adapt to a wide range of hull geometries, ensuring uniform energy absorption during docking or launching.
2. How are fenders maintained in a shipyard environment?
Regular visual inspections, air pressure monitoring, and cleaning of the contact surface are recommended to maintain performance. This ensures longevity even with repeated high-impact use.
3. Are these fenders suitable for indoor dry docks?
Yes, their reinforced design and compact installation make them suitable for both indoor and outdoor dry dock operations, including slipways and maintenance berths.
4. Can the fenders handle repeated high-impact launches?
Yes, the multi-layer tire-cord reinforcement ensures the fenders withstand repeated heavy impacts without losing energy absorption capacity or structural integrity.
5. Do the fenders reduce downtime in shipyard operations?
Yes, by minimizing hull and dock damage, Yokohama Rubber Fenders significantly reduce repair time and operational interruptions, improving overall shipyard efficiency.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()