New pile fenders for Trelleborg expansion

The port – Scandinavia’s largest RoRo port – is currently undergoing an expansion and relocation project which will see the construction of two new berths to move ferry traffic away from the central area of the city. Once completed the port will be able to accommodate vessels up to 240 metres in length.

Working in partnership with PEAB, ShibataFenderTeam delivered the pile fender systems, which each comprise two element fenders (FE 1450 by 1000 mm, G3.1) and one exceptionally large closed box panel (2620 by 13315 mm).

Pile fender systems need to be tailored for each individual berthing need. In supplying systems to the Port of Trelleborg, ShibataFenderTeam considered:

• line load impacts over the entire length of the panel—as the ferries are equipped with beltings—developing a customized 13,315 mm long one-piece steel panel designed to withstand them. Using the correct load cases for the panel calculations is crucial because otherwise, considerable deformation or damages to the panels can occur. The large size came with a significant weight: each panel weighs 15 tonnes.
• the high stability and resistance to shear forces that pile fenders needed to offer due to the side berthing requirements. To ensure reliability and optimal performance, the customised design incorporate not only tension chains but also shear chains into the fender system.

The new berths aim to reduce manoeuvring time and improve vessel safety at the port.