The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has developed a simulation software package, called IAMOS (for Integrated Approach Mooring and Operation Simulation). IAMOS helps ship operators and designers determine mooring arrangements, including which pneumatic fenders to use. Such software should be essential in offshore oil field production and transfer operations, but mooring using pneumatic fenders to date has relied completely on onsite experience. Yokohama's new system will greatly reduce time and costs in mooring operations while optimizing safety. The company will exhibit IAMOS at the 2005 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, which opens on May 2.

Pneumatic fenders prevent ships from damaging each other and are musts when transferring cargo between ships and on floating production, storage, and offshore loading facilities. IAMOS draws on mooring expertise that Yokohama accumulated over many years. The software allows operators to input local climactic and sea conditions, vessel types, and other data so they can optimize the locations, numbers, and sizes of pneumatic fenders. The company will supply IAMOS to its customers as part of its technical support.