What Are the Advantages of Pneumatic Fenders？

Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure's pneumatic fenders are expertly manufactured using high-quality, durable materials to deliver a lifetime of reliable performance in even the harshest of environmental conditions.

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Our end-to-end service includes research and development, expert fender design, testing and stringent quality control. All pneumatic fenders supplied are fully compliant to ISO -1: standards to offer improved durability and optimum performance.

Trelleborg's pneumatic SmartFenders monitor fender location and performance, extending asset life, preventing downtime and optimizing maintenance schedules.

Pneumatic Fenders Types and Benefits

Pneumatic Fenders are the ideal choice for inter ship dealings and port accessories. It’s made of strong rubber sheets with synthetic-cords. The compressed air inside allows these fenders to float on water and serves as a shock absorber during ship-to-ship or ship-to-dock operations. Their deployment is both swift and robust. During docking, the pneumatic fenders can significantly reduce the risk of damage, protecting both personnel and cargo.

Types of Pneumatic Fenders

Common types of pneumatic fenders used in marine applications include chain-tire net (CTN) pneumatic fenders, sling-type fenders, low-pressure pneumatic fenders, and hydro-pneumatic fenders.

1. CTN pneumatic fender: This fender consists of a network of tires linked with chains both horizontally and vertically to protect the fender body. Because the chains are submerged in water, they are made from corrosion-resistant galvanized materials. These are among the most straightforward and economical marine fenders, enhancing clearance between structures and ship hulls.

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2. Sling type pneumatic fenders: These fenders are similar to chain-type fenders, but the fender can be suspended using mesh wire rope instead of chains.

3. Low-pressure pneumatic fenders: This fender type exerts minimal pressure on the hull while maximizing kinetic energy absorption through a larger contact surface. These fenders are lightweight, portable, and easy to inflate and deflate.

4. Hydro-pneumatic fenders: Designed to meet specific requirements, these fenders provide variable draft, very low hull pressures, and prevent acoustic tile damage.

Advantages of Pneumatic Fenders:

1. Advantages during inclined berthing

When a ship berths, the initial contact is often inclined, resulting in significant pressure on both the ship and the dock. A standard solid rubber fender's energy absorption capacity decreases considerably under inclined compression, often necessitating larger sizes. In contrast, pneumatic fenders maintain high energy absorption levels, as load pressure is distributed more evenly, resulting in lower torque performance against the dock compared to traditional solid fender systems.

2. Advantages in critical weather conditions

In severe weather, wave action complicates the mooring process, imposing high shear forces on fenders. A typical solid fender can suffer from fatigue under these fluctuating forces. However, the flexible contact area and larger allowable deflection of pneumatic fenders help mitigate fatigue. In fact, under extreme weather conditions, pneumatic fenders typically outlast solid variants due to their superior durability.

3. Minimization of performance deterioration

Age and fatigue can reduce fender performance. However, the air-filled design and highly elastic materials of pneumatic fenders minimize such issues. Unlike solid rubber or foam fenders, which depend heavily on material hardness, pneumatic fenders maintain optimal energy absorption even at extremely low temperatures of -50 degrees Celsius and during significant environmental fluctuations, provided basic maintenance and air pressure control are followed.