Pile Fender

Pile Fenders are a widely used alternative to Parallel Motion Fender systems and can be configured with various types of rubber fender units—most commonly Cone Fenders, Cell Fenders, Element Fenders, or V Fenders. The system features a pivoting pile that rotates around a fixed point located well below the waterline. The lower end of the pile is secured either in a seabed-mounted shoe or by a welded support bracket attached to the substructure.

This design enables consistent single-point contact between the vessel and the fender system, regardless of tidal variations. The energy-absorbing rubber unit is typically positioned near mean sea level to deliver reliable performance across all tidal and loading conditions. The fender panel is often inclined to follow the vessel’s belting and to compensate for height differences between unladen and fully laden states.

Pile Fenders are particularly common in Northern Europe and are well suited to demanding berthing environments.

Each Pile Fender system must be custom-engineered to meet the specific requirements of the vessels, berthing conditions, and site characteristics. ShibataFenderTeam welcomes your design input to develop the optimal type, size, and configuration of a Pile Fender system tailored to your project.