Specification reference for cell fender frontal plates used in crude oil and product tanker terminals.
Cell fenders are the workhorses of crude oil and product tanker terminals. They consist of a vertical rubber cell unit topped with a steel frontal frame, faced with a UHMWPE wear pad. The UHMWPE pad does three jobs: distribute the contact load across the cell, present a low-friction face to the tanker hull, and absorb the wear.
| Tanker Class | Recommended Thickness | Standard Pad Size |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal < 50k DWT | 60 mm | 1500 × 1500 mm |
| Aframax 50k–120k DWT | 80 mm | 2000 × 1500 mm |
| Suezmax 120k–200k DWT | 100 mm | 2500 × 1500 mm |
| VLCC > 200k DWT | 100 – 150 mm | 3000 × 1500 mm |
For oil terminals we recommend UHMWPE PE1000 with 2.5 % carbon black UV stabilization plus a slight overcure (sintering process tweak) for higher creep resistance. Standard PE500 is NOT recommended for cell fender duty — it creeps under sustained tanker contact loads.
Use 316 stainless steel countersunk M20 bolts. Mild steel zinc-plated bolts will rust within 18 months in marine atmosphere even when below the splash zone.

Black UV-stabilized fender face pads for cone, cell, and cylindrical fenders.
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