Pneumatic Fender Maintenance&Management
Introduction Pneumatic fenders are an essential piece of protection for modern ships, not only protecting hulls and quay facilities from damage, but also improving ship manoeuvrability and safety. In this
Why is it Called Yokohama Fender?
Introduction
Why is it Called Yokohama Fender?-Yokohama fenders are the best choice for STS operations worldwide. This self-floating, long-lasting fender is used in most ship-to-ship (STS) operations on tankers. These marine fenders work in a very different way from solid rubber fenders. Yokohama fenders are based on pneumatic technology and utilize squeezed air to absorb collision energy. In the industry, Yokohama fenders are also known as pneumatic fenders.
Yokohama fenders are relatively lightweight and easy to install. If you buy a good quality product, it can last for a long time. There are many other types and benefits of these pneumatic fenders.
Table of Contents
Why are they called Yokohama fenders?
The history of Yokohama fenders is a testimony to the innovation in maritime technology. Yokohama fenders, also known as pneumatic fenders, were invented in the 1950s by the Yokohama Rubber Company of Japan. These fenders represented a major advancement in ship-to-ship and ship-to-dock transfer operations.
The concept of Yokohama fenders is relatively simple. They consist of a durable rubber outer layer filled with compressed air. This design provides excellent vibration damping and energy absorption properties, making it invaluable for protecting vessels during mooring and berthing.
Yokohama fender products play a key role in improving the safety and efficiency of marine operations, reducing damage to ships and port infrastructure, and facilitating smoother cargo handling. Yokohama fender products are still widely used in shipping and offshore industries around the world, demonstrating their enduring significance in the history of marine engineering.
How did Yokohama fenders come about?
In the past, people engaged in maritime activities found whale carcasses and used them as large fenders for large ships. However, there were many problems associated with using whale carcasses as fenders for large ships. So, starting in the 1950s, many people began looking for a better, more reliable man-made tool.
Rubber was thought to be a very suitable material. As the most reliable rubber manufacturer in Yokohama, Japan, Yokohama was asked to provide a suitable solution.
The first big problem encountered when starting to manufacture fenders was the high cost of making fenders directly from rubber. For example, let’s look at an average fender today with a diameter of 3.3 meters x 6.5 meters. Theoretically, this would require more than 70 cubic meters of rubber. The projected costs made this impossible to realize.
After a period of experimentation, Yokohama finally came up with the idea of using pneumatic technology. Pressurized air absorbs energy very well, provided there is sufficient reaction force. Currently, 50 kPa and 80 kPa are the most common operating pressures for pneumatic fenders.
Yokohama fenders are not the only man-made solution
In the past, floating fenders were not the only type of fender used when ships were moored. Some wheeled fenders and many smaller auxiliary fenders were also used.
These smaller auxiliary fenders were said to prevent accidental collisions between the stern and the bow. Wheeled fenders were used further out and Yokohama fenders were used in an interior location midship.
Pneumatic Fenders Today
The origins of pneumatic fenders are a very interesting part of the industry. These excellent, low-cost cost and easy-to-maintain fenders are now controlled by the ISO standard ISO 17357:2014. ISO 17357-2:2014 specifies the materials, properties, and dimensions of floating pneumatic fenders.
Over the years, many manufacturers have worked to improve their technology and production methods. These “Yokohama Fender” manufacturers have been able to produce high-quality “Yokohama type” fenders that are capable of long-term use.
The Jerryborg Marine Advantage
If you still have various questions about pneumatic fenders, our professional service team will solve your various problems. Jerryborg Marine has many years of manufacturing experience and expertise, and we are committed to providing high-quality products and services to our customers. If you have special needs, we can also provide flexibility for customization.
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