Yokohama Floating Pneumatic Rubber Fenders
FLNG & Ship-to-Ship Protection Systems
Product Overview
FLORESCENCE Yokohama Floating Pneumatic Rubber Fenders are premier, high-strength marine berthing systems engineered to absorb massive kinetic energy while maintaining low, controlled reaction forces. Manufactured in strict accordance with the ISO 17357-1:2014 international standard and PIANC guidelines, these pneumatic fenders act as heavy-duty "dock bumpers" that safeguard both the vessel hull and the berthing infrastructure during critical ship-to-ship (STS) transfers, double-banking, and vessel-to-dock mooring operations.
Our Yokohama fender division has successfully entered the high-end Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) market-one of the most complex and demanding offshore engineering sectors in the world. Our large-scale pneumatic solutions are actively deployed in side-by-side offloading operations between global mega-floating production facilities and LNG carriers, providing uncompromised structural protection in rough open-sea conditions.
Three-Layer Material Engineering
The core hull of our pneumatic rubber fender consists of an integrated multi-layer composite matrix vulcanized under high pressure:
Outer Rubber Layer: Formulated with high-tensile, weather-resistant natural rubber compounds to withstand severe abrasive wear, environmental tearing, and continuous saltwater exposure.
Synthetic Tyre-Cord Reinforcement Layer: Constructed from cross-directional, multi-layered polyamide fibers that distribute internal pressure and external impact loads uniformly across the fender body.
Inner Rubber Layer: An ultra-airtight elastomeric lining designed to perfectly seal internal air pressure and prevent pressure decay over years of continuous cyclic loading.
Structural Configurations & Customization Options
Net-Type Pneumatic Fenders
Fitted with a heavy-duty chain-and-tyre net (CTN) that forms a sacrificial defensive lattice around the rubber core.
Heavy-Duty Rigging: Built using hot-dip galvanized chains for maximum marine corrosion resistance.
Impact Armor: Shielded with premium used truck or heavy aircraft tyres connected via horizontal and vertical chain networks to absorb severe friction from raw concrete quay walls and ship hulls.
Sling-Type Pneumatic Fenders
Engineered to operate without an external chain-and-tyre net to achieve a lighter, more streamlined profile.
Advanced Double-Layer Skin: Features a specially processed, dual-thickness outer rubber cover that provides enhanced puncture and tear resistance.
Optimal Use Cases: Ideal for naval defense vessels, aluminum catamarans, and luxury cruise terminals where non-marking, rapid-deployment capabilities are mandatory.
Key Technical Advantages & Logistics Optimization
Progressive Performance in Rough Weather: The pneumatic cushioning mechanism provides a soft initial reaction force that scales predictably under compression, minimizing mooring line tension and preventing hull indentation during heavy wave surges.
Deflated & Foldable Shipping Mechanics: Large-diameter fenders can be completely deflated, vacuum-compressed, and folded for transit. This significantly reduces international ocean freight volume and minimizes total delivery costs.
Rapid Stock Dispatch: To support urgent port emergencies and immediate dry-docking timelines, we maintain active inventory pipelines of standard sizes-including 0.5m × 1.0m, 1.0m × 1.5m, 1.0m × 2.0m, 1.5m × 3.0m, and 2.0m × 3.5m-ready for immediate global dispatch.
Dimensional Spectrum & Capacity Capabilities
Our manufacturing facility supports complete dimensional customization to match specific vessel displacements and port configurations:
| Parameter Category | Standard Range Capabilites |
| Diameter Range ($D$) | 0.3m to 4.5m |
| Length Range ($L$) | 1.0m to 12.0m |
| Initial Internal Pressures | 50 kPa (Pneumatic 50) & 80 kPa (Pneumatic 80) |
| Specialized Global Deployment | Mega-scale 4.5m × 9.0m and 4.5m × 12.0m units engineered for world-class FLNG side-by-side operations. |
Turnkey Port Infrastructure Solutions
Beyond pneumatic systems, FLORESCENCE provides engineering design, load calculation, and installation layout support for complete port facility fendering projects. Our expanded solid rubber fender portfolio includes:
Super Cell Fenders & Super Cone Fenders: Maximum energy-to-reaction ratios for mega-container hubs.
Arch Fenders & V-Type Fenders: Rugged, versatile workhorse protection for general cargo berths.
Cylindrical & D-Type Fenders: Highly adaptable, economical profiles for tugboats, workboats, and coastal jetties.
Technical FAQ
Engineering & Operational FAQ
Q1: What unique engineering challenges do Yokohama fenders solve in side-by-side Floating LNG (FLNG) operations?
A: Side-by-side FLNG offloading involves mooring an LNG carrier directly adjacent to a massive floating production facility in open waters, where the vessels are subjected to continuous out-of-phase wave motion. Traditional solid fenders concentrate high localized hull pressures that could damage cryogenic containment systems. Our 4.5m × 9.0m Yokohama fenders provide a broad contact surface area and a soft, air-cushioned reaction force curve. This distributes the kinetic energy evenly across the vessel's parallel midbody, keeping hull stresses well below structural limits even in severe maritime weather.
Q2: How does the deflated and folded shipping method impact the structural integrity of the rubber layers?
A: It has zero negative impact. Our synthetic tyre-cord layers and high-elasticity outer rubber compounds are designed with memory properties optimized for repeated flexing. During the manufacturing process, the polyamide cords are oriented at precise angles to ensure the rubber matrix retains its original shape memory. Once the fender arrives on-site and is inflated to its rated initial pressure (50 kPa or 80 kPa), it returns perfectly to its standard cylindrical geometry without any structural degradation or micro-cracking.
Q3: When should a port operator choose a Sling-Type pneumatic fender over a Net-Type fender fitted with aircraft tyres?
A: A Net-Type fender with heavy truck or aircraft tyres is recommended for rugged commercial terminals, open-sea lightering, and high-abrasion environments where the fender frequently rubs against rough concrete or steel structures. However, if you are mooring high-sensitivity naval defense vessels, luxury cruise liners, or vessels with delicate hull coatings, the Sling-Type fender is the superior choice. Its clean, smooth, double-layered outer cover prevents any metal-to-hull or rubber-to-hull marking, significantly lowers the overall weight for easier crane handling, and streamlines rapid deployment.
Q4: What engineering advantage does a Chain-and-Tire Net (CTN) configured with specialized aircraft tires offer over standard commercial truck tires?
A: Aircraft tires are manufactured to vastly stricter aviation standards, featuring multi-ply carcass structures and rubber compounds optimized for extreme impact absorption and rapid deceleration. When deployed on a fender net, they provide significantly higher tensile strength and puncture resistance than standard truck tires. This prevents the net armor from flattening or shredding under the massive shearing forces generated during large-scale Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfers, ensuring the underlying steel chains never compress directly against the vessel's hull.
Q5: How do hydro-pneumatic (submersible) fenders differ from standard floating Yokohama fenders when protecting naval submarines?
A: Submarines operate primarily below the water line and have unique hull geometry with minimal freeboard, meaning a standard floating fender would simply ride up or slip over the vessel's curved casing. Hydro-pneumatic fenders solve this by being partially filled with water as a ballast counterweight, allowing them to stand vertically and operate fully submerged. This design ensures safe, reliable contact directly against the submarine's reinforced pressure hull without exerting point loads on sensitive acoustic tiles.
Q6: How do extreme low-temperature environments (such as Arctic or sub-zero northern sea routes) affect the performance of pneumatic rubber compounds?
A: Standard industrial rubber compounds can undergo glass transition (becoming hard and brittle) when exposed to extreme sub-zero temperatures, causing the fender to crack under compression or lose its airtight seal. FLORESCENCE addresses this by using a specialized, low-temperature resistant rubber formulation that remains fully flexible and elastic down to -40°C. This guarantees that the fender maintains its full elongation properties and predictable energy absorption metrics during winter operations in polar or high-latitude regions.
Hot Tags: yokohama floating fender, China, suppliers, manufacturers, factory, price, fpso pneumatic fender with tire, pneumatic fender tire gauge
