A safe berth
Fenders are critical to bringing ships alongside a berth in a safe and efficient way. They feature in all ports and on all types of vessels, and although they may appear simple from the outside, they are anything but that on the inside.
“Up until just a couple of years ago, fenders were seen as a commodity product,” says Mishra Kumar, Business Unit Director responsible for fender R&D technology and innovation at Trelleborg. “However, the status of fender technology has significantly improved lately. Now the industry regards fenders as highly engineered products rather than just lumps of rubber.”
It is impossible to tell the quality of a fender from the outside. Recent research conducted by Politecnico di Milano, a renowned test facility in Italy, revealed that approximately one-third of fenders tested did not meet performance requirements.
“The Politecnico evaluated fenders from five different brands, including Trelleborg,” says Marco Gaal, Technical Director Marine Fenders Technology and Innovation. “All our fenders passed testing parameters, but some of the fenders from other brands did not.”
Testing is vital to validate performance claims against design parameters. Trelleborg has cooperated for many years with the world association for waterborne transport infrastructure, PIANC, to help regulate fender quality.
The association recently released its latest Fender Guidelines 2024. “Notably, the revised guidelines include a section focusing on fender testing, outlining specific testing types and protocols as well as pass and fail criteria,” Gaal explains.
“It’s imperative that any reputable supplier adheres to the latest PIANC guidelines,” says Kumar.
“However, at Trelleborg we surpass these standards.”
Our proactive approach is behind the recent investment in a dedicated fender testing facility in Qingdao, China, where Maggie Wang is supply chain manager. “The new facility is now the main test center for fenders globally,” she says. “Working to and going beyond the new PIANC guidelines, it is cutting edge. Uniquely, it houses high-speed fender testing and a fully temperature-controlled test room equipped with various test presses.”
Fender technology is continuing to develop; testing, along with the data it provides, is vital to future advancements. “The evolution of our industry, coupled with heightened client expectations, necessitates continuous innovation,” says Kumar. “Our R&D testing capabilities are unparalleled, enabling us to gain deeper insights into fender behavior so we can push the boundaries of product development. Our resources facilitate continuous improvement activities such as tightening product performance tolerances and exploring novel, sustainable compounds.”
This has become a recent focus for Trelleborg, Gaal says. “For example, we are developing rubber compounds using bio-based oils and recycled carbon black.”
“Trelleborg has not only enhanced its materials but also optimized fender geometry,” adds Kumar. “This translates into smaller fenders, also contributing to increased sustainability as well as cost savings for clients.”
Trelleborg is a leader in supporting the development of smart ports, which leverage innovative technologies and data-driven solutions to enhance port efficiency, safety and sustainability while lowering operational risk. Fenders are still a necessity, combining with equipment, such as Trelleborg’s Docking Aid Systems and Portable
Piloting Units. “It was only a matter of time before we looked to make our fenders smart, too,” says Gaal. “We’re now beginning to integrate smart features into traditional but essential fender products.”
Kumar tells us that in the near future, Trelleborg will be prototyping smart fenders at two ports, one in the Middle East and one in Europe. “Our objective is to introduce smart fenders next year that will be capable of gathering berthing data,” he says. “This data will not only enhance fender maintenance but also provide information to allow us to design more robust fender systems in the future.”
This is an article has been reproduced from Trelleborg's T-Time magazine. To download the latest edition, go to: www.trelleborg.com/t-time