Project Overview
An Indonesian shipyard specializing in coastal cargo vessels needed to launch a newly built 5,800 DWT cargo ship. The yard was located on a riverbank without a permanent dry dock or large slipway.
The customer wanted a launching method that was:
- Safe for workers and the vessel
- Faster than building a concrete launching facility
- More affordable for future projects
- Suitable for repeated launches
After evaluating several options, the shipyard selected ship launching airbags.
Project Details
Location: Indonesia
Vessel Type: Coastal Cargo Vessel
Deadweight: 5,800 DWT
Length Overall: 108 m
Beam: 19.5 m
Launching Method: Marine Rubber Airbags
Number of Airbags: 36
Airbag Size: 1.5 m × 18 m
Working Pressure: 0.09 MPa
Challenges Before Launch
The shipyard faced several difficulties.
The launching area had uneven ground and limited space.
Building a permanent launching ramp would require months of construction and a significant investment.
The owner also wanted the vessel delivered before the start of the regional shipping season.
Time was limited.
Safety could not be compromised.
Solution
Engineers designed a launching plan using 36 ship launching airbags positioned under the hull.
Before launch, technicians:
- Inspected every airbag
- Verified inflation pressure
- Checked load distribution
- Installed guide ropes
- Monitored weather conditions
- Prepared emergency safety procedures
During launching, workers controlled the vessel’s movement by gradually releasing the retaining system while monitoring the airbags.
The ship entered the water smoothly without sudden movement or hull impact.
Results
The project achieved excellent results.
- The vessel was launched successfully on the first attempt.
- No workers were injured.
- No hull deformation or coating damage was found during inspection.
- The entire launching operation was completed in less than two hours.
- The shipyard estimated that using launching airbags reduced launching costs by approximately 35% compared with constructing a permanent launching facility.
- The delivery schedule remained on time.
Because the airbags could be reused, the shipyard planned to use the same system for future vessels.
Customer Feedback
“This was our first project using ship launching airbags, and the launch went exactly as planned. The preparation was straightforward, the operation was smooth, and we were impressed by how stable the vessel remained throughout the launch. We will continue using this method for future cargo vessels.”
— Project Manager, Indonesian Shipyard
Why Shipyards Choose Ship Launching Airbags
Compared with traditional launching methods, ship launching airbags offer several advantages.
Lower Infrastructure Cost
Shipyards do not need to build expensive dry docks or permanent slipways.
Flexible Operation
Airbags can be used at different launching locations with minimal site preparation.
Reusable Equipment
With proper maintenance, the same airbags can support multiple launching projects.
High Safety
Even load distribution helps reduce stress on the hull during launching.
Faster Project Completion
Installation and preparation require far less time than constructing permanent launching facilities.
Conclusion
For this Indonesian cargo vessel project, ship launching airbags provided a safe, reliable, and economical launching solution.
The successful launch demonstrated that airbag launching is not only suitable for small vessels but also for medium-sized commercial ships where cost control, flexibility, and safety are critical.
As more shipyards look for efficient launching methods, ship launching airbags continue to prove their value in modern shipbuilding.