Trelleborg has supplied Qatargas with three of its parallel motion fender systems for a fast-track project. Installation was completed in just four days.
Carried out with specialist oil and gas contractor Qatar Engineering and Construction Company WLL (Q-Con), the installation included two sets of dual SCN1000 cones behind each parallel motion fender structure.
The project has enabled the global LNG supplier to upgrade an existing berthing structure, originally designed for vessels with a displacement of around 110,000 tons, to facilitate berthing of larger Q-Flex vessels with a displacement of about 150,000 tons.
Trelleborg’s parallel motion fender system was specified because it complemented the design of the existing jetty, raising its energy-absorbency capacity and enabling it to facilitate the berthing of a much larger, heavier vessel, with increased weight.
“The existing jetties weren’t originally designed to take the berthing energy and related reaction forces associated with the larger Q-Flex vessel,” explains Paul Welling, General Manager for Middle East, Trelleborg, Dubai. “We recommended the parallel motion fender system, as it can offer 60 percent greater force absorbency than a conventional fender without raising the reaction force above the allowable level, which meant that the existing dock could be used for a much heavier vessel.”
Parallel Motion Fenders
Parallel Motion technology can reduce reaction forces by up to 60 percent compared with traditional designs. The panel always remains vertical but can cope with large berthing angles – even at 20° there is usually no loss in energy absorption.
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