This guide is written for procurement engineers and marine contractors. It covers the data we need to quote, the achievable tolerances, the standard hole patterns, and the QC documents we deliver with every shipment.
1. The 6 dimensions every fender RFQ must include
An accurate quote turns around in 4 hours when your RFQ contains:
- Pad outer length ร width (mm). E.g. 1500 ร 800.
- Pad thickness (mm). 30 / 40 / 50 / 75 / 100 most common.
- Bolt-hole pattern โ hole count, diameter, edge distance, pattern. Best provided as a DWG/PDF.
- Counterbore โ yes/no, depth, ID. Critical for flush bolt heads when ships rub the pad face.
- Edge chamfer โ typical 15 mm ร 45ยฐ to deflect ship hulls; or radius if fender frame requires.
- Color & markings โ black is standard (UV stable, hides scuffs); yellow/red on request; engraved "JSLT // year // berth ID" available.
2. Standard pad sizes by vessel class
If you're starting from scratch (new berth design), use this as a reference. These match PIANC 2024 guidelines for steel rubbing strips with UHMWPE face:
| Vessel class | Typical DWT | Recommended pad size (mm) | Thickness | Service life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal feeder | 5,000-15,000 | 1000 ร 600 | 30-40 mm | 8-12 years |
| Handysize bulker | 15,000-35,000 | 1500 ร 800 | 40-50 mm | 10-15 years |
| Panamax bulker | 60,000-80,000 | 2000 ร 1000 | 50-75 mm | 12-18 years |
| Capesize bulker | 100,000+ | 2500 ร 1200 | 75-100 mm | 15-20 years |
| Container (Panamax) | 65,000 | 2000 ร 1000 | 50 mm | 10-15 years |
| Container (ULCV) | 200,000+ | 3000 ร 1500 | 100 mm | 15-20 years |
| RoRo / car carrier | 30,000-50,000 | 1500 ร 1500 | 40 mm | 10-15 years |
| Cruise / passenger | 50,000-150,000 | 1800 ร 1000 (chamfered) | 60 mm | 12-18 years |
3. Hole-pattern conventions and counterbore design
Ninety percent of customer drawings use one of three patterns:
- 4-corner pattern. 4 holes, 100 mm in from each edge. Simplest, lowest cost, fine for pads ≤1500 mm and impact ≤200 kJ.
- Perimeter pattern. Holes every 200-300 mm around the edge. Distributes load evenly, industry standard for high-energy berths.
- Cross + corner pattern. Adds a center cross of 4-9 holes for very thick pads (≥75 mm) where bowing risk is real.
Counterbore depth should be 1.5ร the bolt head height to allow for compression and ship rubbing. Standard for M20: counterbore ะ30 ร 25 mm deep.
4. Tolerances we hold on marine pads
Marine application is more forgiving on tolerance than mechanical engineering, but the bolt holes and pad flatness still matter โ a misaligned bolt pattern means a contractor with an angle grinder on the dock at 2am.
| Feature | JSLT tolerance | Industry typical |
|---|---|---|
| Outer length / width | ยฑ2.0 mm | ยฑ5.0 mm |
| Thickness | ยฑ0.5 mm | ยฑ1.0 mm |
| Hole position | ยฑ0.5 mm | ยฑ1.5 mm |
| Hole diameter (drilled) | +0.3 / -0 mm | +0.5 / -0 mm |
| Counterbore depth | ยฑ0.5 mm | ยฑ1.0 mm |
| Chamfer angle | ยฑ2ยฐ | ยฑ5ยฐ |
| Flatness, 2 m pad | โค5 mm | โค10 mm |
5. Material selection โ UHMWPE grade by berth conditions
Different berths punish fender pads differently. Match the grade:
- PE1000 standard (3.5M MW) โ default. Fine for 90% of bulk and container berths in temperate climate.
- PE1000 + UV stabilizer โ mandatory for tropical / Middle East / Australian ports with high UV. Adds 8% cost, doubles outdoor life.
- PE9000 (5.5M+ MW) โ use for extremely abrasive berths (iron ore loading, coal, scrap metal). 50% cost premium, 2-3ร life vs PE1000.
- UHMWPE-Black + carbon black โ best for cruise terminals where aesthetics matter and scuffs must hide.
- Antistatic UHMWPE โ for fuel terminals (avoid ATEX issues). 25% premium.
6. Documentation we ship with every order
Marine procurement requires paperwork. Standard documents at no extra charge:
- Material test certificate (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1, signed
- Per-batch dimensional QC report
- Photo of every pad before crating, individual file per pad
- Heat-treated wooden crate certificate (ISPM-15 stamped)
- Commercial invoice + packing list for customs
- Certificate of origin (Form A / China-CO available)
Available on request (extra cost): SGS / BV / DNV third-party inspection, FDA letter of compliance, REACH SVHC declaration.
โ Frequently Asked Questions
โ How long from drawing approval to FOB Qingdao?
18-25 days for orders up to 200 pads. 25-35 days for orders up to 1000 pads. Air freight available for emergency replacements.
โ Can you supply with through-bolts pre-installed?
Yes โ we can pre-fit grade A4 stainless bolts, washers, and nuts. Ships ready to mount.
โ Do you do steel-backed pads (frontal panels)?
Yes โ we contract the steel backing locally and bond the UHMWPE face. Bolted assembly preferred for replaceability.
โ Minimum order quantity?
1 pad. We have port-engineer customers who order 1 pad as a wear sample and reorder 200 the next quarter.
โ Is UHMWPE compatible with HMPE rope mooring lines?
Yes, fully compatible โ UHMWPE is a parent material of Dyneema/Spectra ropes, no chemical interaction.
โ Color options for cruise terminal aesthetics?
Black, dark grey, navy blue, white. Custom RAL on orders ≥500 kg of finished pad, +12% cost, +1 week lead time.
โ Do you have references in Latin America / Middle East?
Yes โ deliveries to ports in Peru, Chile, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt. Reference letters on request after NDA.
Get a quote within 12 hours
Email Claire for full pricing, samples, and CIF delivery to your nearest port.
๐ฉ claire@uhwmpe-produce.com ๐ฌ WhatsApp