1. Soft Reaction Force for Ship and Jetty Structure

Although all fenders should be used within their maximum load limit, it often happens that fenders accidentally receive excess load. The reaction force of Yokohama Pneumatic Rubber Fenders does not increase sharply, even under excess load conditions. Therefore, the Yokohama Pneumatic Rubber Fenders perform well in such cases, and protect ships and mooring facilities. In contrast, the reaction force of solid rubber fenders, including buckling-type fenders, increases sharply under excess load conditions. The excess load turns the solid-type fender into a solid rubber block, which cannot perform as a fender. This often leads to damage of the ship and mooring facilities.

2. Advantages at Inclined Berthing

Ships usually make initial contact with the dock or another ship on STS operations at an oblique angle. In the case of solid rubber fenders or foam fenders, rated reaction force and energy absorption decreases considerably at inclined compressions compared with parallel compression. In order to compensate for the decrease of energy absorption at inclined compression, it is necessary to use larger sizes in the case of solid rubber fenders or foam fenders.

Reduction of Energy Absorption at Inclined Berthing for Pneumatic, Solid and Foam Fender

In the case of Yokohama Pneumatic Rubber Fenders, energy absorption does not decrease at inclined compression up to 15 degrees.

Load Distribution at Inclined Berthing for Pneumatic, Solid and Foam Fender

Distribution of load is also comparatively even because of the molecular freedom of air and high flexibility of the multi-layered cord-reinforced rubber membrane. This makes the body of a pneumatic rubber fender more shape conformant compared to solid or foam fenders, and thus able to better distribute the load along the hull of a ship or jetty structure during inclined compression.

Double Cover (DC)

Double cover consists of a single cover with an extra tyre cord layer and outer rubber.
It is better resistance to operational damage such as abrasion, cuts and gauges.

Grey Rubber

Vertical

COMPLIANCE WITH ISO17357-1：2014

The new ISO standard for the high pressure pneumatic fender was published in 2014. ISO17357-1:2014 “Ships and marine technology - Floating pneumatic rubber fenders - Part 1: High pressure”, which supersedes the former standard published in 2002, has set the new requirements with respect to design, material and the mandatory performance testing to enhance product reliability. As an industry leader of the pneumatic fenders, Yokohama has contributed in establishing a new standard by providing technical expertise derived from our long years of experience.

Needless to say, all Yokohama fenders are in full compliance with ISO17357-1:2014.

For your information, the followings are the new requirements:

Structure of ISO17357-1:2014

New Requirement

(1) Diameter of the bead ring or other steel material around the flange opening shall be less than 0.20 D (D: fender diameter) to make metal parts safe from permanent deformation when it gets over compression near to 80%.

(2) The performance confirmation of prototype fender test shall be done every ten years.

(3) Layer made of synthetic-tyre-cord fabric, which maintains the internal air pressure of the fender. The canvas fabric shall not be used for the high pressure pneumatic floating fender.