Premium Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders - Your Reliable Choice for Marine Impact Protection

Premium Yokohama Pneumatic Fenders - Your Reliable Choice for Marine Impact Protection

What is a Yokohama Pneumatic Fender?
A Yokohama pneumatic fender is a type of marine fender that uses compressed air to provide cushioning and energy absorption. It consists of a durable outer rubber or synthetic material cover that encloses an air - filled chamber. When a vessel comes into contact with a dock or another structure, the fender compresses, absorbing the impact energy and reducing the force transferred to both the vessel and the structure.

Features

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.
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.

3. High Energy Absorption
Yokohama pneumatic fenders are engineered to have excellent energy absorption capabilities. The air - filled design allows them to deform under impact, effectively dissipating a large amount of kinetic energy. This helps to minimize damage to the vessel's hull and the dock, reducing repair costs and downtime. For example, during the berthing of large container ships, which can generate significant impact forces, these fenders can absorb the shock and prevent serious structural damage.

4.Durability
The materials used in Yokohama pneumatic fenders are of high quality. The outer cover is typically made of robust rubber compounds that are resistant to abrasion, UV radiation, and the corrosive effects of seawater. This ensures a long service life, even in harsh marine environments. The air - tight construction also helps to maintain the integrity of the fender over time, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

5.Customizable Design
Yokohama offers a range of pneumatic fenders with customizable designs to meet the specific requirements of different marine applications. Fenders can be manufactured in various shapes, sizes, and configurations to fit different vessel types, dock layouts, and operational needs. Whether it's a small coastal vessel or a large oil tanker, there is a Yokohama pneumatic fender solution available.

6.Stable Performance
These fenders provide stable performance under a wide range of operating conditions. The air pressure inside the fender can be adjusted to optimize its performance for different vessel sizes and berthing speeds. This adaptability ensures consistent energy absorption and protection, regardless of the specific circumstances of the berthing operation.

Applications

1. Ports and Docks
Berthing of Large Vessels: In major international ports handling container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers, Yokohama pneumatic fenders are installed on dock walls. They absorb the significant impact energy during berthing, protecting the vessel's hull from scratches, dents, and structural damage, as well as safeguarding the dock infrastructure.
Mooring of Small Craft: In marinas and small ports, these fenders are used for fishing boats, yachts, and coastal ferries. They act as a cushion during mooring, preventing damage to the smaller vessels and the mooring facilities.
2. Offshore Installations
Platform Berthing: For offshore oil and gas platforms, Yokohama pneumatic fenders are crucial when supply vessels or service boats berth. They protect the platform's structure and the vessels from the impact caused by waves and vessel movement in the dynamic offshore environment.
FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading) Units: These units often require fenders to protect against collisions with other vessels during operations such as loading and unloading of crude oil. The pneumatic fenders help maintain the integrity of the FPSO and the connected vessels.
3. Ship - to - Ship Operations
Transfer Operations: During ship - to - ship transfer of cargo, such as in the case of bunkering (refueling of one ship from another) or transfer of liquid chemicals, Yokohama pneumatic fenders are used to keep the vessels at a safe distance and cushion any potential impacts. This ensures the safety of the transfer operation and prevents damage to both ships involved.
4. Bridge Piers and Marine Structures
Bridge Protection: Pneumatic fenders are installed around bridge piers in waterways to protect them from collisions by passing vessels. They absorb the impact energy, reducing the risk of damage to the bridge structure, which could have serious consequences for transportation and safety.
Marine Breakwaters and Jetties: These structures can be protected from the impact of waves and vessels using Yokohama pneumatic fenders. The fenders help maintain the integrity of the breakwaters and jetties, ensuring their long - term functionality in protecting the shoreline and port facilities.

ISO17357-1 : 2014 : Certified
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:

---