Marine Fender Systems
Foam Filled Fender
Unsinkable. Maintenance-free. Engineered for 10–25 years of continuous service at ports, offshore terminals, and ship-to-ship operations.
A foam filled fender is a cylindrical floating fender constructed from a closed-cell foam core — either cross-linked polyethylene or EVA — encased in a filament-reinforced polyurethane elastomer skin. It absorbs berthing energy through foam compression rather than air pressure, making it unsinkable, maintenance-free, and capable of functioning even with a damaged outer skin.
Product Definition
What Is a Foam Filled Fender?
Construction
Closed-Cell Foam Core + Reinforced PU Skin
A foam filled fender — also called a foam fender or floating fender — is an impact-absorbing device positioned between a vessel and a berth structure to prevent collision damage. The core uses cross-linked, closed-cell polyethylene or EVA foam, thermally laminated in layers without adhesives.
The skin is a structural layer: continuous nylon filament wrapped in a helical pattern, with thickness engineered per the fender’s rated reaction force. An unreinforced wear layer extends service life. Inside, a tension chain connects both swivel end fittings through the core.
Unlike pneumatic fenders, there is no internal air pressure. Performance is determined by foam density and geometry. If the skin is punctured, the fender continues to float — each closed cell is sealed independently.
Applications
Where Foam Filled Fenders Are Used
Deployed wherever maintenance access is limited, buoyancy reliability is critical, or consistent performance across variable conditions is required.
Commercial Ports
Port & Jetty Berthing
Foam fenders are typically hung vertically from quay faces using chain slings. They handle container vessels, bulk carriers, RoRo ferries, cruise ships, and general cargo across all tidal variations.
Low hull pressure characteristics make them suitable for cruise ships and naval vessels where hull damage is unacceptable.
Get specifications →Offshore Applications
Offshore SPM & Platform
SPM buoys, FPSO systems, and offshore boat landings operate where maintenance is expensive or impossible. A foam fender requires no pressure checks — there is nothing to maintain between service visits.
Larger sizes (3.0m × 6.1m and above) provide energy absorption for tanker approach protection at offshore terminals.
Get specifications →
STS Operations
Ship-to-Ship Transfer
In STS operations — LNG, crude oil, and product transfers — foam fenders float freely between vessels. They require no pre-inflation, deploy quickly, and maintain consistent performance across multiple transfer cycles.
For complete ship-to-ship transfer fender systems, see the STS page.
Get specifications →Dock Applications
Floating Dock & Shipyard
Floating docks and shipyard berths use foam fenders along inner faces to protect vessels. The non-marking polyurethane skin avoids hull paint damage — critical for newly painted vessels.
Smaller sizes (0.6m × 1.2m to 1.5m × 3.0m) handle lateral contact at low velocity across a wide range of vessel beams.
Get specifications →
Technical Data
Foam Filled Fender Specifications
300mm to 4,200mm OD. All values at 60% deflection. Tolerance ±10%.
5 Foam Grades
Performance Grade Selection
| Grade | Name | Ratio | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| LR | Low Reaction | 0.6 | < 103 kPa |
| STD | Standard | 1.0 | < 172 kPa |
| HC | High Capacity | 1.3 | < 224 kPa |
| EHC | Extra High Cap. | 1.9 | < 327 kPa |
| SHC | Super High Cap. | 2.6 | < 447 kPa |
LR for cruise/naval. STD for general cargo. HC+ for bulk/VLCC.
Standard Capacity Performance (STD grade, 60% deflection)
| Size (D × L, m) | Energy (kNm) | Reaction (kN) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.7 x 1.5 | 26 | 133 |
| 1.0 x 1.5 | 47 | 173 |
| 1.0 x 2.0 | 68 | 254 |
| 1.2 x 2.0 | 91 | 280 |
| 1.35 x 2.5 | 152 | 418 |
| 1.5 x 3.0 | 244 | 596 |
| 1.7 x 3.0 | 282 | 618 |
| 2.0 x 3.5 | 454 | 845 |
| 2.0 x 4.0 | 540 | 1,005 |
| 2.2 x 4.0 | 643 | 1,088 |
| 2.2 x 4.5 | 746 | 1,263 |
| 2.5 x 5.5 | 1,022 | 1,516 |
| 3.0 x 5.0 | 1,464 | 1,788 |
| 3.0 x 6.1 | 1,946 | 2,375 |
| 3.3 x 6.5 | 2,421 | 2,731 |
For other grades, multiply energy by the grade ratio. Custom sizes available on request.
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Know your required fender size?
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Product Family
Foam Fender Types and Variants
Three configurations, one core technology. All variants share the same closed-cell foam core and reinforced polyurethane skin.
Standard Foam Fender
The standard cylindrical configuration covered on this page. 300mm to 4,200mm OD, suspended vertically from quay faces or floating freely between vessels. The most widely deployed foam fender type globally.
Applications: Port berthing, STS transfer, offshore platforms, floating docks.
View specifications →Donut Foam Fender
A toroidal (ring-shaped) fender that slides over a tubular pile. It rotates freely and rises with the tide — no chains, no adjustment. Internal low-friction bearings ensure decades of service with minimal maintenance.
Applications: Breasting dolphins, corner protection, turning structures, lead-in jetties, bridge piers.
Donut fender details →Foam Boat Fender
A continuous or segmented foam ring bonded around a vessel’s hull. Puncture-proof, permanently buoyant, and custom engineered to each boat’s geometry. Protects workboats, tugs, and pilot vessels during repeated alongside operations.
Applications: Workboats, tugs, pilot boats, patrol craft, crew transfer vessels.
Boat fender details →Engineering
Foam Fender Construction and Materials
Closed-Cell Polyethylene / EVA
Cross-linked, thermally laminated layers. No water absorption. Permanent buoyancy regardless of skin condition. Density defines the performance grade.
Filament-Reinforced Polyurethane
Spray-applied elastomer with helical nylon reinforcement. Non-marking, UV-resistant, hydrocarbon-resistant. Skin thickness calculated per rated reaction force.
Heavy-Duty Swivel Type
Internal tension chain rated to full pull load. Swivel design distributes wear evenly. Chain is adjustable and replaceable without fender replacement.
Our Factory
How JettyGuard Manufactures Foam Filled Fenders
Written by Yifeng Qin, Founder, JettyGuard Engineering Technology
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
In-House Production
Our facility in Beiguan Industrial Park, Jiaozhou, Qingdao handles foam lamination, skin application, fitting fabrication, and quality testing under one roof.
- 1. Foam core lamination — Heat-bonded closed-cell foam layers, no adhesives.
- 2. End fitting & chain installation — Swivel fittings + tension chain verified for load rating.
- 3. Skin application — Spray PU with helical nylon filament. Thickness per design spec.
- 4. Inspection & testing — Dimensional, skin thickness, material certs (ASTM). 100% of orders.
Factory visits and third-party inspection (BV, SGS, ABS, TÜV) available for project orders.
Comparison
Foam Fender vs Pneumatic Fender
Both are floating cylindrical fenders. The choice depends on maintenance access, risk tolerance, and total cost of ownership.
| Feature | Foam Filled Fender | Pneumatic Fender |
|---|---|---|
| Energy source | Foam compression | Internal air pressure |
| Maintenance | None required | Regular pressure monitoring |
| If skin damaged | Continues to float and function | Deflates and sinks |
| Performance stability | Constant | Varies with pressure |
| Service life | 10–25 years | 10–15 years typical |
| Hull marking | Non-marking skin | Can leave marks |
| Deployment | No prep needed | Requires inflation |
| Relocation | Requires crane | Deflate and transport flat |
| Best for | Permanent, offshore, unmanned | Temporary, relocatable |
When to choose foam: permanent installations, remote/unmanned locations, hull-sensitive vessels, long design life requirements.
For a detailed comparison, see foam fender vs pneumatic fender for LNG and STS applications. For more on pneumatic fenders, see the pneumatic fender page.
Compliance
Standards and Compliance
PIANC 2024
WG-211 fender design methodology. Berthing energy, reaction force, hull pressure, geometry, environment.
ISO 9001:2015
Quality management system covering full production process. Third-party audited.
ASTM Testing
Foam density, compression, skin tensile/elongation. Certificates for 100% of orders.
Third-Party
ABS, BV, SGS, TÜV inspection available. Dimensional, material, and performance verification.
Delivery
Supply and Project Delivery
Full size range (300mm to 4,200mm OD) produced in Qingdao. Custom sizes available for non-standard project requirements.
Lead time: Standard sizes ship within 3–6 weeks. Custom sizes confirmed at quotation. For projects with fixed commissioning dates, early specification secures production capacity — peak season (Q2–Q3) slots fill 8–10 weeks ahead.
Shipping: FOB Qingdao standard. CIF to major ports available.
Documentation: CI, PL, BL, CO, material certs, dimensional report, performance report. ABS/BV certificates on request.
Colors: Black, grey, orange, white (UV-protected). Custom colors and logo application available.
For projects requiring both foam and pneumatic fenders — single order, single documentation package.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a foam filled fender?
How does a foam filled fender absorb energy?
What is the difference between a foam fender and a pneumatic fender?
What foam grades are available?
How long do foam filled fenders last?
What happens if the skin is damaged?
Are foam filled fenders maintenance-free?
How much does a foam filled fender cost?
How do I select the right foam fender size?
Get a Quote
Request Foam Fender Specifications
Tell us your vessel type, berth configuration, and required fender size. We confirm the right specification and send a quotation within 24 hours.
What to include
Vessel DWT/displacement, approach velocity, berth structure type, required fender quantity, and delivery port. Our engineering team handles the PIANC calculation.
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Foam Fender Inquiry
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