Roller Fenders are engineered marine protection systems designed to manage vessel contact with fixed infrastructure in applications where conventional static fendering cannot adequately accommodate continuous vessel movement. The system combines a cylindrical rubber roller with a load-bearing shaft, rotational support components and a fabricated steel mounting structure.
During vessel contact, the roller rotates around its longitudinal axis, allowing the fender to accommodate both impact loading and relative longitudinal movement. This operating principle is particularly suitable for marine structures where vessels approach at variable angles, move alongside a guide wall or require controlled alignment through a restricted passage.
A municipal waterway authority in Finland initiated an equipment renewal project for a ship lock serving commercial cargo traffic on a Baltic Sea-connected inland route. The lock regularly accommodated bulk carriers, general cargo vessels and service vessels, with typical commercial vessels ranging from approximately 6,000 to 15,000 DWT.
Roller Fenders were selected for installation along the most frequently contacted sections. The design focused on creating a controlled rolling interface between the vessel hull and lock wall while maintaining adequate structural protection. The operational team reported that the roller arrangement provided more predictable interaction during minor lateral corrections, reducing maintenance frequency and improving vessel handling.
| Product Name | Roller Fenders |
|---|---|
| Material | High Density NR/NBR/SBR |
| Temperature Range | from -30°C to 70°C |
| Specific Gravity | 1.45 g/cm³ |
| Intensity | 3 MPA |
| Hardness | 65 ± 5 Shore A |
| Elongation | ≥300% |
| Size Range | D1080-2900mm |
| Color | Black, as Required |
| Certificates | CE, ROHS, REACH, SGS, MSDS, ISO9001 |
| Model No. | A [mm] | B [mm] | C [mm] | D [mm] | E [mm] | G [mm] | H [mm] | J [mm] | K [mm] | L [mm] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HM-RF1080 | 1250 | 1150 | 610 | 1080 | 1150 | 220 | 460 | 800 | 340 | 60 |
| HM-RF1450 | 1530 | 1400 | 740 | 1320 | 1450 | 260 | 510 | 950 | 400 | 75 |
| HM-RF1500 | 1600 | 1450 | 765 | 1370 | 1500 | 270 | 610 | 1000 | 425 | 75 |
| HM-RF1900 | 2050 | 1850 | 975 | 1750 | 1900 | 350 | 690 | 1250 | 500 | 125 |
| HM-RF2100 | 2300 | 2100 | 1110 | 1980 | 2100 | 400 | 765 | 1400 | 550 | 150 |
| HM-RF2700 | 3000 | 2700 | 1425 | 2550 | 2700 | 500 | 895 | 1800 | 700 | 200 |