V Type Arch Rubber Fenders for Cargo, RoRo & Marina Berths
We manufacture V type rubber fenders — one-piece moulded arch fenders whose V-groove spreads the contact pressure evenly, improves grip, and lowers the reaction force, with high longitudinal shear resistance for stable berthing. They come in heights from 300 to 800 mm and lengths from 1,000 to 1,500 mm, in natural rubber or PU that resists abrasion, corrosion, UV, and weather, with an optional UHMW-PE or steel front panel to raise energy absorption and cut maintenance. The rubber is tested to ISO methods, the service life is 8 to 10 years, and the fenders are type-approved by major classification societies (CCS, BV, ABS, LR) under an ISO 9001 system. We have manufactured marine fenders in Qingdao since 2005, and we confirm the rubber grade and panel against your berthing energy.
Where V Type Arch Fenders Earn Their Place
V type arch fenders suit general berths that need solid energy absorption at a low reaction force with strong shear resistance — provided the rubber grade and any panel are confirmed. We use them on general cargo and RoRo berths, marinas, barge and tug berths, and at quay corners, locks, and pier ends, and we size the fender and grade from your berthing energy rather than from height alone.
How the arch absorbs energy
The arch deflects under the vessel: its angled legs flex and buckle, absorbing the berthing energy, while the V-groove spreads the contact pressure evenly across the face. That even pressure improves the vessel’s grip on the fender and significantly lowers the reaction force passed into the quay compared with a solid block of the same height.
The arch also gives high longitudinal shear resistance, so it stays stable when the hull moves along the face — which is why it suits rotating dolphins and pivot points. An optional UHMW-PE or steel front panel raises the energy absorption further and lowers the friction against the hull.
Why an arch over a cone or cell. The arch is a low-profile, economical fender with excellent shear resistance and a low reaction force, well suited to general berths, corners, and pivot points. The trade-off is lower peak energy than a cone or cell; for a high-energy berth taking the largest vessels, a super cone or super cell rubber fender is the right type.
General cargo & RoRo
General cargo terminals, RoRo berths, multi-purpose terminals, and passenger ship berths, protecting hull and structure across mixed traffic.
Corners, locks & pier ends
Quay corners and turning points, lock and dry-dock entrances, and pier ends, where the arch’s shear resistance handles angled and sliding contact.
Barge, tug & workboat berths
Barge, tug, and workboat berths and rotating dolphins, where a low-profile, low-reaction fender protects both the craft and the structure.
Material Specification & How Performance Is Set
The arch is one-piece moulded in heights from 300 to 800 mm and lengths from 1,000 to 1,500 mm. The energy absorption and reaction force follow the rubber grade and any front panel, so we issue those with the quote; the table below is the rubber’s material specification, tested to ISO methods, which is what backs the durability and the 8-to-10-year service life.
| Property | Unit | Test method | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | MPa | ISO 37 | ≥16 |
| Elongation at break | % | ISO 37 | ≥350 |
| Tear strength | N/mm | ISO 34-1 (Graves) | ≥70 |
| Hardness | HA | ISO 868 | ≤78 |
| Compression set | % | ISO 815 | ≤30 |
| Ozone resistance | — | ISO 1431-1 | No cracks |
| Volume change in oil | % | ISO 1817 | ≤10 (optional) |
| Volume change in seawater | % | ISO 1817 | -5 to +10 (optional) |
| Abrasion resistance | mm³ | ISO 4649 | ≤100 (optional) |
| Bond strength | N/mm² | ISO 814 | ≥7 (optional) |
| Dynamic fatigue | — | ISO 132 | Grade 0-1 (optional) |
| Low-temperature resistance | — | ISO 812 | Pass (optional) |
Material specification of the rubber, tested to ISO methods; “optional” requirements are confirmed when your project calls for them. This is a material-conformance table, not an energy-and-reaction table: the energy absorption, reaction force, and hull pressure follow the rubber grade and front panel and are issued with the performance curves on enquiry. Heights run 300–800 mm and lengths 1,000–1,500 mm; other colours are available.
The most common sizing mistake. Treating the material specification as the performance figure. A strong rubber spec does not by itself set the energy or reaction — those come from the grade, the height, and the panel. We confirm the grade and panel against your berthing energy, then check reaction force and hull pressure, rather than read durability numbers as performance.
Know your berth and vessels?
Send the vessel, approach speed, and berth type — we pick the arch height, rubber grade, and panel.
Construction, Panel Options & Mounting
One-piece moulded arch
The fender is moulded in one piece from high-quality natural rubber or PU, with no joints to fail, for resistance to abrasion, corrosion, UV, and weather. The wide base flanges carry the bolt fixing, and the fender mounts either vertically or horizontally to suit the berth.
Where you need more energy or a lower-friction face, the arch takes an optional UHMW-PE or steel front panel — the UHMW-PE pad cuts the friction against the hull and raises the energy absorbed. We confirm the panel, the fixing, and the bolt pattern with the structure rather than leave them generic.
V-groove design
Spreads the contact pressure evenly, improves grip, and lowers the reaction force, with high longitudinal shear resistance for sliding and angled contact.
UHMW-PE or steel panel
An optional front panel raises the energy absorption and, with a UHMW-PE face, lowers the friction against the hull and cuts maintenance.
One-piece, easy to fit
One-piece moulding with vertical or horizontal mounting keeps installation simple and maintenance low over an 8-to-10-year life.
When a Different Fender Fits Better
V type arch fenders are one option in our wider rubber fenders range, built for general berths that value low reaction and shear resistance. They are not the highest-energy fender, so here is where something else fits better.
You have a high-energy berth
For the largest vessels needing the highest energy absorption, a super cone or super cell rubber fender delivers more energy at a controlled reaction.
You need simple edge protection
For light, continuous edge protection on a marina or pontoon, a cylindrical or D type rubber fender is simpler and cheaper.
You have a floating berth
For a floating fender that rises with the tide rather than a fixed bolted one, a pneumatic fender or foam filled fender suits better.
An honest boundary. The product page documents the material specification and the qualitative performance, but not an energy-and-reaction table or temperature and angular factors. We confirm the grade, the panel, and the corrected energy and reaction for your berth before contract rather than quote a single number.
V Type Rubber Fenders — Frequently Asked Questions
What is a V type (arch) rubber fender?
A one-piece moulded fender with a V-shaped arch section. The arch flexes to absorb berthing energy and the V-groove spreads the contact pressure evenly, improving grip and lowering the reaction force, with high longitudinal shear resistance for sliding and angled contact.
Where are V type fenders used?
On general cargo and RoRo berths, multi-purpose and passenger terminals, barge, tug, and workboat berths, and at quay corners, lock and dry-dock entrances, pier ends, and rotating dolphins or pivot points.
Can a front panel be fitted?
Yes. An optional UHMW-PE or steel front panel raises the energy absorption; a UHMW-PE face also lowers the friction against the hull and cuts maintenance. We confirm whether a panel suits your berth.
What sizes and materials are available?
Heights from 300 to 800 mm and lengths from 1,000 to 1,500 mm, in high-quality natural rubber or PU. The standard colour is black, with other colours available, and the rubber is tested to ISO methods.
How is the energy absorption and reaction force set?
By the rubber grade, the height, and any front panel — not by the material specification. We issue the energy absorption and reaction force per grade with the performance curves, corrected for temperature and angle, rather than print one figure.
When should I use a cone or cell fender instead?
When the berth needs the highest energy absorption for the largest vessels. The arch is a low-profile, low-reaction, shear-resistant fender for general berths; a super cone or super cell fender delivers more energy for a high-energy berth.
Pick the arch and grade on your berthing energy
An arch fender is right when its grade and height meet your berthing energy at a low reaction with the shear resistance the berth needs. Send us the vessel and berth and we return the height, grade, and panel with the performance worked for the job.
What to send us
6 inputsYou get back: a recommended arch height, rubber grade, and front panel with energy absorption and reaction force corrected for temperature and angle, and the mounting method.