Maritime International would like to introduce our new mooring bollard specification generator. As a leading manufacturer of mooring bollards, we understand that a clear, concise specification is the starting point to ensure the product meets with the end user's requirements.

To utilize this tool, click here, and simply fill out the form. Your completed specification will be emailed to you immediately along with PDF drawings for your requested bollard model and associated mounting hardware. If you have any questions, or if you require a customized specification, please email or call us for an editable Microsoft Word document. CAD design blocks are also available upon request.

Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

End User:Prince Fahd bin Sultan
Contractor: Alsaad General Contracting LLC
Project: Private Mega-YachtBerth
Products: 50 x AD300 x 1500L Arch Fender (Light Grey) AND 6 x 30T Bollard (Stainless Steel)

The project required fender systems that would not mark the hull of the yachts berthing at the facility. As such, light colored arch fenders were adopted. In addition, the Stainless Steel bollards, with Super Duplex Stainless Steel anchors were used to provide an aesthetically pleasing finish, and entirely eliminate maintenance.

The construction of the berth was done on a "Fast Track" basis, and delivering a custom made solution within such a short deadline was only possible through the efficient communication between Maritime's Middle East office, Maritime's agent in Saudi Arabia (Rezayat Trading) and Al Saad General Contracting.

The fenders and bollards were ordered in July 2009, and delivery was complete within 12 weeks.

Location: Jubail, Saudi Arabia

End User: Jubail Commercial Port
Contractor: Alsaad General Contracting LLC
Project Description: Upgrading and Extension of Commercial Port
Products: Tee head Bollards (2 x 150TAnd 37 x 100T)
               Cylindrical Fenders (31 Sets 600-OD x 4800L and 53 Sets 800-OD x 4800L)
               M-Type Fenders (12 Sets 500H x 2500L)

The project involved upgrading an existing section of the wharf to improve the facilities at the Jubail Commercial Port. Maritime Fenders were selected by Alsaad Gereal Contracting due to their experience and satisfaction with the performance of Maritime International on previous projects.

The fenders were delivered to the port in the first half of 2010. All products were to the satisfaction of the contractor and client, and upgrading works are now complete.

We had another client contact us today stating that they are tired of producing specifications that are obviously adhered to on paper, but not with the actual products. This particular client purchases thousands of dollars worth of rubber fenders every year for their vessel fleets under quite rigid specifications. They bid openly and solicit global suppliers to participate. They informed us that in the last several years they have seen a significant reduction in the quality of the fenders that they are receiving. Considering this particular client's (government agency) rigid bidding guidelines, they do not have any subjectivity allowed to them when selecting a vendor (low price that apparently meets specs is awarded the job). Now-a-days, with the internet, they typically receive bids from more than 20 'suppliers' of rubber fenders from all corners of the world. They say that in recent years when a company is selected as the ‘low bidder', the vendor typically can supply all of the proper pre-qualification documentation to qualify them for the project (test reports, material certificates, etc.), but yet  the products often fail in a short period of time (sometimes even before installation....see 2nd photo). Some of these failures are obviously a manufacturing/material issue and not due to usage in the field as can be seen by how the fenders fail (see 1st photo).

This phenomenon began roughly 5 years ago, which can be correlated to the advent of wide based internet bidding which has obviously diluted the pool of truly qualified suppliers. According to the client, before this time, there were very few problems with these type fenders supplied by a handful of companies. The same specification has been used for years without problem, so it is indicative of the fact that some vendors are skirting the actual specifications and providing products on the ‘cheap' that do not work. This client feels helpless to overcome this and has asked Maritime to assist to develop some methods of protecting them from this circumstance. We are currently working on developing some ways for this client to better protect themselves from situations like this. We will report our findings in a later blog.

We feel fortunate that clients like this trust Maritime enough to lean on us to help them in difficult situations.  Hopefully they have witnessed our responsibility to our business and our products. As an owner of this company, I am proud that the market looks to us as a source of good, honest, sound advice. I think you can only earn this type of response.

In dock construction, there are a variety of factors that must be considered when designing a marine fender system. Maritime International's product line includes 5 main types of marine fenders for use in dock facilities: Cell, Cone, Leg, Arch, and Cylindrical. In this series of blog posts, we'll profile each fender type, and review potential design issues of each.

The latest generation of marine fenders is the MCN Cone Fender. The design evolved from the highly popular Cell Fender. Its tapered shape gives them the un-paralleled ability to deflect 70% of its height, maximizing its energy performance for its rated reaction. The MCN Cone Fender‘s locking style deflection shape (Revolved S), allows the fender to handle high shear loads, reducing the need for shear and weight chains. Cone fenders have good durability qualities which Maritime International confirmed by conducting a 40,000 compression cycle in our marine fender test laboratory.

In comparison to a cell fender the cone fender does have a slight trade off in durability for its gained efficiency, but in most cases the durability of the cone fender is far in excess of what is necessary for today's docking systems. In further comparison the design of a panel for a cone system and a cell fender system will have a few distinct differences. Most noticeable is the panel stool design which is adapted to stick away from the back of the panel such that it can "plunge" into the fender during the deep 70% deflection cycle of the fender. The face of a cone fender has a slightly smaller footprint than the cell fender causing for higher panel stresses which must be considered when designing a panel system properly for cone fenders. Finally the cone fender system will typically utilize a smaller rubber body with a slightly larger steel body than the cell fender, understanding the cost impact of these variable is essential in making the proper selection between cone and cell fenders.

For more information about the MCN Cone fender, or for design assistance, contact a Maritime International representative today.

In the highly competitive world we live in, we are always amazed at the lengths some companies will go to, in order to be competitive. Dealing with an engineered product such as a marine fender system, the client is rarely 100% certain that they will be receiving a product that meets with the project spec/drawings in the manner that was intended by the owner and consultant. Often time quotations can be vague, and engineering submissions intentionally ‘tricky' to evaluate. Usually these things are done in an attempt to mask some truths that would otherwise leave the vendor without the job. Just enough ‘smoke and mirrors' is sometimes created to pass a product through approval, without much thought to the potential future negative consequences on the marine facility that such behavior may result in.

We are very happy to see one US Port include as part of their specification for marine fenders, a section titled "Evaluation of Bidder Responsibility". They have provided their own method to review the character of the companies that they may do business with, and have specifically defined traits that they value which include; integrity, reputation, judgment and experience. By clearly stating these things, the Port has sent a strong message to all vendors that they place a high level of importance on more than simply a low price. They still do obviously want the low price.....however, the low price must be combined with the premise that the Port truly wants to work with companies that are going to adhere to high standards of business behavior. And by this inclusion in their spec.....I think they mean what they say.

Maritime International squarely agrees with the approach of this port and hopes that more Ports and End Users, consultants and contractors make the effort to design their business models around the concept of trust and integrity. Adhering to these guiding principles drives better business results for all involved.

If you'd like to hear about how Maritime uses these principles as a business guide, contact our Quality Manager Erik Reutling.