Yokohama Fenders

When mooring under rough weather conditions, a ship is subjected to wave action, especially to swell, causing the ship to be moved up and down, back and forth and left to right at the quay. Pneumatic fenders allow gentle initial contact with a gradual increase of reaction force and large allowable deflection, meaning ships and mooring facilities are protected even under rough weather conditions. In light of these advantages, quite a few deep-water ports and large open-sea loading facilities employ Yokohama pneumatic fenders.

The “Yokohama Pneumatic Rubber Fender” was developed in 1958 based on a rubber company’s technology for automobile tires and rubber aircraft fuel tanks. Progress in the development of such floating pneumatic rubber fenders is closely related to the progress and development of ship technology, and has to continuously cope with progressively larger oil tankers such as VLCC’s, ULCC’s, large gas carriers, bulk carriers, and floating structures. Floating pneumatic fenders are used world wide for ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations, terminals, and for all kinds of ships. Since its creation until today, more than 45,000 fenders have been supplied worldwide both for ship-to-ship and ship-to-dock operations serving many customers. These fenders play a critical role in the safe operation of ship berthing and mooring operations worldwide.