Project Overview
- Product: D Rubber Fender
- Location: Surabaya, Indonesia
- Application: Fishing Harbor
- Installation Year: 2025
- Customer: Local Port Maintenance Contractor
The Challenge
A fishing harbor in Surabaya handles dozens of vessel movements every day. Most boats are between 15 and 35 meters long and berth several times during each fishing cycle.
The existing timber protection had become badly worn after years of use. During rough weather, vessels often contacted the quay directly, leaving visible scratches on both the hulls and the concrete structure.
The maintenance contractor faced three main problems:
- Timber fenders required frequent replacement.
- Vessel hull damage resulted in repair costs.
- Daily maintenance interrupted normal harbor operations.
The contractor wanted a simple solution that could withstand repeated impacts while requiring very little maintenance.
Why D Rubber Fenders?
After comparing several options, the contractor selected D rubber fenders because they offered the right balance between protection, installation cost, and durability.
The reasons included:
- Strong impact absorption for small and medium-sized vessels.
- Simple bolt-on installation.
- Excellent resistance to seawater and UV exposure.
- Minimal maintenance requirements.
- Suitable for straight quay walls and working docks.
Unlike larger cone or cell fender systems, D fenders provided enough protection without unnecessary complexity for this type of harbor.
Installation
The installation was completed during scheduled maintenance to avoid disrupting fishing activities.
The contractor removed the damaged timber sections, repaired several anchor points, and installed continuous lengths of D rubber fenders along the berthing face.
Each section was securely fastened using galvanized anchor bolts to improve long-term corrosion resistance.
The entire installation was completed within several working days.
Performance After One Year
According to the harbor maintenance supervisor, the improvement became obvious within the first few months.
The rubber fenders consistently absorbed the impact from daily berthing operations, especially during tidal changes when vessel movement increased.
After approximately one year of service:
- No major damage was found on the installed D fenders.
- Maintenance work was significantly reduced.
- Vessel side contact marks became much less frequent.
- The quay edge remained in good condition.
The supervisor also noted that routine inspections only required cleaning and checking bolt tightness.
Customer Feedback
“The old timber protection needed constant repairs. Since replacing it with D rubber fenders, maintenance has become much easier. The fenders continue to perform well despite daily use, and both the quay and the boats are better protected.”
— Harbor Maintenance Supervisor, Surabaya
Conclusion
For ports handling workboats, fishing vessels, tugboats, and service craft, D rubber fenders remain one of the most practical berthing protection solutions.
Their straightforward design, reliable energy absorption, and long service life help reduce maintenance costs while protecting both quay structures and vessel hulls.
For facilities that need a dependable and cost-effective fender system, D rubber fenders continue to be a proven choice in everyday marine operations.