Fender systems play a vital role in global maritime transport and port management. Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders are widely used as a collision avoidance device. It effectively absorbs the impact energy generated when a ship berths. In addition, it is the preferred choice of shipowners, port managers and marine engineers because of its excellent durability and safety features. To ensure that you have a better understanding of what Yokohama fenders are, HENGER will, in this article, from the definition, design, application, technical standards to the installation and maintenance of a variety of perspectives. Comprehensive analysis of Yokohama pneumatic fender connotation and advantages, to help you better understand this key marine equipment.
Table of Contents
What are Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders?
Yokohama Pneumatic Fender is a kind of inflatable collision avoidance device, specially designed to absorb the impact energy generated when the ship is berthing or mooring. It is made of high quality rubber and advanced inflatable technology to provide effective protection in the event of a collision between a vessel and a pier or a ship and a boat. The product was first developed in Yokohama, Japan, hence the name. It has been gradually promoted to major ports around the world and has become an important equipment to ensure maritime safety. It can effectively enhance the safety of ship berthing and reduce the risk of facility damage.
Design and Construction
Henger’s Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders utilise advanced engineering design concepts to ensure superior performance in a variety of complex marine environments:
Structural design: Cylindrical in shape with an inflatable bladder and multi-layer reinforcements for durability and stability.
main materials:
The outer layer is made of high-quality rubber composite, providing excellent resistance to abrasion and corrosion.
The interior is reinforced with synthetic fibre rope to ensure structural stability under high pressure.
The material is UV and salt water resistant, making it suitable for long periods at sea.
Design parameters:
Internal inflation pressures of 50 kPa or 80 kPa (according to ISO 17357-1:2014) are common.
The energy absorption capacity has been rigorously tested to ensure stable protection during impact.
Within safe limits, it can withstand approximately 80% deformation without permanent damage.
Technical Specifications and International Standards
To meet the needs of technical users and engineers, Henger’s Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders fulfil the following technical specifications:
Pressure Maintenance: The inflation system maintains a ±5% stability of the standard pressure.
Weight Tolerance: The weight tolerance of the fender body and net is controlled within ±10%.
International Standards: Full compliance with ISO 17357-1:2014 ensures quality control in design, manufacture and testing.
Fender Comparison: Compared to traditional solid rubber or foam filled fenders. Yokohama’s pneumatic fenders offer significant advantages in terms of energy absorption, installation flexibility and ease of maintenance.
Types and Sizes
To meet the specific needs of different ships and Fender Ports, Henger’s Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders are available in a wide range of types and sizes:
Type
Standard pneumatic fenders: for general applications on commercial and private vessels.
Chain link fenders: provide greater stability in rough sea conditions and are suitable for environments where extra protection is required.
Hybrid fenders: combining the benefits of both pneumatic and foam technology to suit a wide range of operational requirements.
Size range
From small fenders (e.g. 1.5 x 3.0 metres) for yachts to large fenders (e.g. 4.5 x 12 metres) for large vessels such as tankers.
They can be individually tailored to meet the requirements of specific operating environments and vessel sizes.
When selecting the right pneumatic fender, ship size, berthing dynamics and environmental conditions need to be taken into account to ensure optimum safety and economy.
Advantages of Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders
Yokohama’s pneumatic fenders, with their outstanding design and high quality materials, have demonstrated numerous functions in the maritime field:
Impact Energy Absorption: Effectively mitigates the impact of collisions between ships and docks, and between ships, reducing the risk of equipment damage.
Buoyancy and Stability: Provides additional buoyancy and stability support during water operations, ensuring safe docking of the vessel.
Enhanced safety: Significantly reduces hull and pier collision damage, ensuring the safety of crew and cargo.
Cost-effective: Lower long-term cost of ownership due to long life and low maintenance requirements.
Highly adaptable: Adaptable to a wide range of marine environments and climatic conditions. It performs well in both warm tropical ports and cold northern ports.
Environmentally friendly and durable: excellent UV and salt water resistance ensures that the product remains stable and reliable in harsh climates.
Application of Yokohama Fenders
Yokohama Pneumatic Fender Port is widely used in a variety of maritime operations, helping to improve port safety and operational efficiency:
Ship transfer: In the transport of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and bulk cargoes, effective energy absorption ensures the safety of ships at berth.
Moorings and berths: in harbours, terminals and berths, vibration protection reduces impacts and extends the life of infrastructure.
Specialised applications: not only for conventional commercial vessels, but also play a key role in offshore drilling rigs, LNG terminals and specialised transport tasks.
Summary
Yokohama Pneumatic Fender Port plays an irreplaceable role in global maritime transport and port operations thanks to its unique inflatable design, efficient energy absorption and durable, environmentally friendly materials. It has strong competitiveness in terms of safety, security, economic efficiency and adaptability. 20 years of professional production experience of HENGER, we have been committed to provide the best fender solutions for customers around the world.
FAQ
Under normal maintenance conditions, Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders typically last for decades.
Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders have a pneumatic design that provides greater energy absorption and installation flexibility than solid rubber or foam fenders.
Sizes range from small (e.g. 1.5×3.0 metres) to large (e.g. 4.5 x 12 metres) and can be customised.
The name ‘Yokohama’ comes from the history of the product’s original development in Yokohama, Japan.