Samsølinjen, operated by Denmark’s largest ferry company Molslinjen A/S, connects the vacation island of Samsø with Kalundborg, a strategically located town in the center of the country.
Following the relocation of some services, Samsølinjen now departs from a different berth in Kalundborg Port. To support this relocation, the existing berth underwent a comprehensive refurbishment to accommodate ferry operations. The project placed emphasis on reusing as much of the existing infrastructure as possible.
In this context, SFT collaborated closely with Molslinjen to design and deliver a customized fender solution. The scope included four Pile Fender Systems — each weighing approximately 16 tons — consisting of Double Cone Fenders (SPC 800, G2.1) and extra-large steel panels measuring 3,700 × 11,545 mm. Two additional Double Cone Fender Systems (SPC 800, G2.1) were also supplied, each with closed box panels sized 2,400 × 4,400 mm and weighing around 7.5 tons.
Working within the constraints of the existing geometry made the engineering phase particularly complex. The most critical challenge lay in designing the system’s substructure — a task with no room for standard solutions.
Each of the four Pile Fender Systems — already a highly customized solution — required a unique attachment design due to variations in the seabed across the berth; the two additional systems also needed specially designed steel substructures to connect with existing anchor points from the former berth setup.
Completing the systems engineering, all fender panels — both on the Pile Fender Systems and the Double Cone Fenders — incorporated an oversized chamfer on one side, engineered to prevent the vessel’s beltings from catching during berthing operations.
Installation at Kalundborg Port was carried out by the experienced Danish contractor Munck Havne, ensuring the smooth delivery of this technically demanding project.
Just as the Samsølinjen route is a key connection for regional mobility in Denmark — serving both residents and local businesses — ShibataFenderTeam’s key to project success lies in our holistic approach: blending technical know-how, project-specific insight, and the expertise of our in-house engineering team to develop fully customized fender systems.
