Recently, the production facility of Qingdao SunKai Marine Supplies Co., Ltd. (SunKai Marine) was operating at full capacity as a batch of customized inflatable rubber fenders for a European client successfully passed final air-tightness testing and packaging. The fenders have now been shipped via international cargo liner to their destination port.
This delivery marks the third batch of overseas customized orders completed by SunKai Marine this year, further strengthening the company’s presence in the international marine protection equipment market. The fenders will be installed at a dedicated terminal to provide berthing protection for LNG carriers, where strict safety and performance requirements apply.
The cooperation originated from in-depth discussions at the Shanghai International Maritime Exhibition last year. The client, a well-established European port operator, manages a terminal exposed to strong winds, waves, and frequent temperature fluctuations, while accommodating LNG carriers with specialized tonnage characteristics.
Standard fender solutions were unable to meet the terminal’s precise protection requirements. Following the exhibition, SunKai Marine’s technical team conducted an on-site survey at the client’s port, collecting detailed data including:
Terminal structural dimensions
Vessel draft and berthing conditions
Annual wind, wave, and temperature data
Based on the client’s core requirements—30% higher impact resistance and a service life of no less than 12 years—SunKai Marine initiated a dedicated R&D program for a non-standard fender solution.
To ensure reliable performance under overseas operating conditions, SunKai Marine developed a custom rubber compound based on a natural rubber and neoprene blend system. Through multiple rounds of vulcanization process optimization, the fenders achieved significantly improved seawater corrosion resistance and UV aging resistance, enabling stable operation across a temperature range of -20℃ to 60℃.
On the structural side, SunKai adopted an innovative multi-layer UHMWPE fiber cord interweaving reinforcement technology. Using finite element simulation, the technical team repeatedly adjusted cord arrangement density to optimize performance. As a result:
Energy absorption under dynamic impact exceeded 85%
Peak reaction force was controlled within safe limits, meeting the low-impact berthing requirements of LNG carriers
Throughout production, SunKai Marine strictly followed the PIANC 2002 international standard, along with the client’s additional inspection specifications. A full-process visual traceability system was implemented, covering:
Incoming inspection of rubber hardness and fiber strength
Cord winding and capsule forming of semi-finished products
Static compression tests
Dynamic impact tests
72-hour air-tightness testing of finished fenders
Technical representatives appointed by the client were stationed at the factory for on-site supervision and witnessed key production processes. Ultimately, all products passed inspection by an authoritative third-party organization, with performance indicators exceeding contractual requirements.
“This is our first collaboration with a Chinese marine supporting equipment manufacturer on a fully customized fender solution,” the client’s project manager noted in the acceptance report. “SunKai Marine’s technical response speed and attention to detail exceeded our expectations.”
Based on the success of this project, the client has expressed strong interest in additional orders for mooring and marine protection equipment, and both parties are currently discussing long-term cooperation plans.
With years of experience in the marine protection equipment sector, SunKai Marine has served customers in more than 20 countries and regions, covering application scenarios such as offshore terminals, marine engineering projects, and specialized vessels.
The successful delivery of this European customized order not only highlights SunKai Marine’s R&D and manufacturing capability in non-standard inflatable rubber fenders, but also reflects the growing competitiveness of Chinese marine supporting products in the global high-end market.
Looking ahead, SunKai Marine will continue to focus on the personalized needs of overseas clients, optimize its “survey–design–production–delivery” full-process service system, and deliver reliable, cost-effective marine equipment solutions to ports and terminals worldwide.
