Port Fender Solutions | Marine Fender Types & Selection Guide

 

Shanghai Mountains – Your Partner for Global Port Projects

 

 

 

 

 

What is a Port Fender?

Port Fenders act as the 'shock absorbers' of maritime infrastructure, safeguarding vessels and docks from collision damage. Properly specified fenders can extend equipment lifespan by up to 30% while reducing operational downtime. As a "flexible connector" between the hull and the terminal structure, the fender system needs to meet three core requirements:
1. Energy absorption: Effectively reduce the damage to the terminal structure caused by the ship's kinetic energy
2. Displacement control: Limit the lateral displacement range of the vessel (usually ≤50cm)
3. Repeated durability: Maintain stable performance in multiple environments such as salt spray corrosion and UV aging
A typical fender system generally comprises three main components:
● Load-bearing layer: Natural rubber/synthetic rubber (EPDM/CR) or special foamed material (EVA/NBR)
● Support structure: Q235 steel plate/stainless steel plate + polymer composite material
● Fixing system: Embedded parts anchoring, welded brackets or suspension chains

 

 

 

Port Fender Main Types and Applicable Scenarios

Based on material properties, mechanical performance and application scenarios, we offer the following specialized solutions:
 

Type	Energy Absorption (kJ/m³)	Reaction Force (kN)	Typical Projects
D-Type	50-150	200-500	Small marinas
Super Cell Fender	200-600	80-250	Mega container terminals

 

 

How to choose a Port Fender?

Key technical parameters for the selection of Port Fender systems
Scientific selection should be based on a three-dimensional analysis of the ship's characteristics, terminal conditions and environmental conditions:

1. Basic parameter group

Parameter categories	Key Metrics	Engineering suggested values
Ship parameters	Displacement (DWT), Length (LWL)	> 50,000 DWT requires a dedicated fender design
Motion parameters	Berthing speed (V), impact Angle (α)	V≤0.3m/s, α≤15° is the safety threshold
Environmental parameters	Design wave height (Hs), tidal range (T)	Tidal compensation devices should be added if T>4m

2. Advanced selection model
The Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) technology (FEA) is adopted to simulate the stress distribution under different working conditions, with a focus on verifying:
● Energy matching: Fender maximum absorption energy (E_max)≥ ship kinetic (E_kinetic)×1.2
● Deformation coordination: The compression deformation (δ) of the fender must meet the allowable displacement of the wharf structure
● Fatigue life prediction: Calculate the number of cycles based on Miner's linear cumulative damage theory

 

 

Installation & Maintenance Best Practices

 

Port Fender installation and operation system
Installation process points
1. Embedded parts construction: 3D coordinate calibration is required before concrete pouring, with an error controlled within ±5mm
2. Dynamic leveling technique: Use hydraulic jacks to achieve synchronous elevation adjustment of multiple fenders
3. Anti-corrosion treatment: Double protection with galvanizing and epoxy coating, salt spray test ≥1000 hours

Intelligent operation and maintenance solution
● Iot monitoring system: real-time collection of pressure, temperature, displacement data
● Preventive maintenance cycles:
- High-frequency use berths: Quarterly ultrasonic flaw detection
- Regular berths: Annual magnetic particle inspection + anti-corrosion coating thickness measurement
● Emergency repair kit: Equipped with quick repair agent and spare fender unit

 

 

Shanghai Mountains' Expertise

As the leading manufacturer of rubber fenders in the country, we offer:
● Provide professional selection advice and personalized customization services.
● Life-cycle Management: A one-stop solution from design to operation and maintenance
● Our engineers are available 24/7 for emergency consultations.