Marine Fender Systems

Marine fenders are marine equipment used in a port facility to protect the vessel and the dock from damage during ship berthing. Marine fenders are installed permanently at the hull or head of a ship itself and berthing structures to prevent or minimize damages in cases of collisions or overshooting. Marine Rubber Fenders are critical for the energy absorption of a berthing vessel into the berth structure. A single tanker can be over 500,000 tons, so safe energy absorption in worst-case scenarios is paramount. The marine fender's primary job is to protect the berthing structure without damaging the vessel hull for all potential vessel types, sizes, and approach scenarios. ESC offers a full range of fender options to complement its marine steel piling products.

ESC has strategic partnerships with PIANC registered manufacturers with over 20 years of experience delivering marine fender system solutions to Asia, North America, Central & South America, Europe, and the Middle East. ESC's global network provides an end-to-end solution customized to project requirements providing detailed support in close proximity to its valuable clients.

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Marine Fender Types

Design, Manufacture & Testing

Design Standards

Product Images

Fender System

Marine Rubber Fender System

Marine Rubber Fenders are critical for the energy absorption of a berthing vessel into the berth structure. A single tanker can be over 500,000 tons so safe energy absorption in worst case scenarios is paramount. The marine fenders primary job is to protect the berthing structure without damaging the vessel hull for all potential vessel types, sizes and approach scenarios. ESC offers a full range of fender options to compliment its marine steel piling products.

ESC has strategic partnerships with manufacturers with 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 offers complete Marine Rubber Fender Systems

Full range of fender types, sizes and rubber grades
Manufacturers certified to ISO 9001
Experienced design engineers for berthing energy calculations & fender selection and detailed design of fender and frontal panels to PIANC 2002, BS 6349:4 & EAU 2004
Intimate understanding for integration into berthing structure
Highly skilled and experienced front panel fabricators
High quality mixture of natural, synthetic rubbers from reputable and prequalified suppliers with strict quality control
Global supply network in Asia and Europe
Full suite of in-house testing equipment all the way up to 4410 kips (2,000 tonnes) compression

Marine Fender Types

* Other fender types available, please contact info@escmarinesystems.com for more information.

FenderTypes

Design

Design, Manufacture & Testing

Preliminary Design & Budgeting

ESC can complete a preliminary assessment and design of the most appropriate fender system to allow budgeting and estimation for projects. ESC can complete this even with a limited information set.

Marine Fender System Detailed Design

ESC has developed software that assist in calculating berthing energies 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. These calculation is conforming to BS 6349: Part 4, PIANC guidelines and other standards. Full manufacturing and layout drawings are produced to enable high quality production and comprehensive detailing for installation on site.

Manufacturing

ESC’s fender product line is comprehensive, with over 50 profiles and various rubber grades (low reaction to super high reaction force) to select from. The frontal pad fabrication facility (complete with blasting and painting) is in close proximity to the fender facility which makes factory visits and ex-mill logistics more convenient and efficient. Components such as chains and anchors are produced by pre-qualified manufacturers also in close proximity to the facilities.

Quality Assurance & Testing

Marine Fender Rubber is an engineered material that exhibits optimal properties in terms of cost, energy absorption, wear resistance, UV resistance and more. An engineered mixture of additives is used to improve the overall mechanical and wear properties of the material. The rubber utilised comes from the highest quality sources and is inspected and testing in accordance with the ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Some parameters tested are: tensile strength, elongation at break, compression set, hardness, density, seawater resistance, tear resistance, ozone resistance, abrasion resistant, bond strength and ageing.

Functional & Operational
Considerations

- Berthing Procedures

- Berthing Frequency

- Vessel Type & Size Range

- Vessel Features

- Laden, Partly Laden & Freeboard Levels

- Crane reach

Site
Considerations

- Wind Speed

- Tidal Range

- Temperature

- Corrosivity

- Water and Seabed Level

- Berth Levels

Design
Considerations

- Design Standards

- Vessel Design Approach

Velocity

- Friction Coefficient

- Safety Factors

- Maintenance Frequency

- Design Life

Berthing Energy
Calculation

- Added Mass Factor

- Eccentricity Factor

- Berth Configuration Factor

- Softness Factor

- Safety Factor

- Design Approach Velocity

Fender Selection &
Sizing

- Fender Type Selection

- Size and Rubber Grade

Selection

- Reaction vs Energy Ratio

- Fender Spacing

- Wharf Clearance Checks

- Load Distribution to Hull

- Snagging/Bevels Features

- Restraining Chains

Fender Manufacturing & Testing

- Component Manufacture

- Quality Assurance and Control

- Procurement from Approved

Vendors

- Scale Testing

- Composition Testing

- Verification Testing

Delivery, Installation & After Sales Support

- Loading & Shipping

- Importation & Delivery to Site

- Installation & Commissioning

- Periodic Maintenance

- Parts Replacement

- Warranties

Design Process

Design Standards

Code of Practice for Design of Fendering and Mooring Systems: BS 6349: Part 4 (2014)
PIANC WG33 Guidelines for the Design of Fenders (2002)
Recommendations of the Committee for Waterfront Structures, Harbours and Waterways (EAU 2004)
PIANC Report of the International Commission for Improving the Design of Fender Systems: Supplement to Bulletin No.45 (1984)
Actions in the Design of Maritime and Harbour Works: ROM 0.2-90 (1990)
Recommendations for the Design of the Maritime Configuration of Ports, Approach Channels and Harbour Basins: ROM 3.1-99 (1999)
Dock Fenders – Rosa 2000 Edition No.1
Engineering and Design of Military Ports: Unified Facilities Criteria UFC 4-159-02 (2004)
Design of Piers And Wharves: Unified Facilities Criteria UFC 4-152-01 (2005)
Guidelines for the Design of Maritime Structures – Australia: AS4997 (2005)
Engineering Standards for Port & Harbour Structures Design Manual —Philippine Ports Authority (2009)
Determining and Reporting the Berthing Energy and Reaction of Marine Fenders: ASTM F2192-05 (2005)