Factory-direct marine fenders & airbags since 2005
Super Cell Rubber Fender · Cylindrical Cell · 5 Reaction Grades · ISO 9001

Super Cell Rubber Fenders for High-Energy Berths

We manufacture super cell rubber fenders whose cylindrical cell disperses the berthing energy evenly and absorbs up to 70% of the impact, protecting the largest cargo ships, tankers, and passenger vessels. They come in 13 sizes from 500H to 3000H and in five reaction grades — RE, RS, RH, RO, and RL — so the same energy can be met at the reaction force your quay allows, rated at 52.5% and 55% compression. The body is high-strength natural and synthetic rubber with a low-friction UHMW-PE front pad, a design life of more than 10 years, and manufacture under an ISO 9001 quality management system. We have made marine fenders in Qingdao since 2005, and we size the cell and grade against your berthing energy.

500H–3000H
Size Range
13 sizes
≤70%
Impact Energy Absorbed
of berthing
5
Reaction Grades
RE / RS / RH / RO / RL
>10
Design Life
years
Applications & Working Principle

Where Super Cell Rubber Fenders Earn Their Place

Super cell fenders suit high-energy berths for the largest vessels, where you need a lot of energy absorbed and the reaction force tuned to the quay — provided the foundation can take the bolts and the grade is confirmed. We use them on commercial and naval berths and offshore platforms, and we size the cell and the reaction grade from your berthing energy rather than from height alone.

Diagram: a super cell fender buckles to absorb high energy at a controlled reaction force

How the cell absorbs energy

The cylindrical cell deflects under the vessel and disperses the energy evenly, absorbing up to 70% of the impact while spreading the load so the hull and dock are not point-loaded. A low-friction UHMW-PE front pad lets the hull slide against the face, reducing wear during the contact.

What sets the cell apart is the choice of reaction grade. The same size is offered in five rubber grades, from ultra-high to low reaction, so we can meet your berthing energy at the reaction force an old or sensitive quay can take — rather than forcing one fixed reaction on every berth.

Why a cell over a cone or cylindrical fender. The cell delivers high energy in a compact, single-cell unit and lets you tune the reaction force through the rubber grade, which suits high-energy berths with a tight reaction limit. For very high energy at low reaction a super cone is the alternative; for simple, low-energy berths a cylindrical fender is simpler and cheaper.

Commercial ports & terminals

High energy absorption for the largest cargo, container, and passenger vessels, dispersing the berthing force to protect hull and quay.

Military & naval facilities

Large naval vessels and submarines, handled with high impact capacity and corrosion-resistant rubber for long, stable service.

Offshore platforms & oil and gas

Protecting platforms against vessel impact in harsh sea states, with UV and seawater resistance for a design life over 10 years.

Performance & Sizing

Reaction Grades, Energy & Angular Correction

Super cell fenders are selected on berthing energy, then on the reaction grade that keeps reaction force within the quay’s limit. Every grade carries its own reaction and energy figure, at both the 52.5% rated deflection and the 55% maximum deflection. All values carry a ±10% tolerance and are corrected for berthing angle, site temperature, and impact duration by the PIANC factors below. Hull pressure is confirmed separately against the front-panel contact area.

Reading the table — five grades, two deflection points. RL, RO, RH, RS, and RE run from low to extreme-high reaction. Each grade gives a reaction force (R, kN) and an energy absorption (E, kN·m) at the 52.5% rated deflection, and a second pair at the 55% maximum deflection. Pick the grade that meets your energy inside the reaction limit your quay allows — at the same size, RE carries roughly twice the reaction of RL.

Rated performance by grade — 52.5% design / 55% maximum deflection

GradeValue500H630H800H1000H1150H1250H1450H1600H1700H2000H2250H2500H3000H
RL — LowR @52.5% (kN)861382113494625467358941009139820852574
E @52.5% (kN·m)183875153233299468628753122720602826
R @55% (kN)991472253724915817819501073148522162737
E @55% (kN·m)194078163247316495665798129921802992
RO — StandardR @52.5% (kN)108172275436578682918112012621746245430283750
E @52.5% (kN·m)2347961912953755857869451535242533304300
R @55% (kN)125182292463614725976118913421856260732204217
E @55% (kN·m)25501022033093966198329971624256635204635
RH — HighR @52.5% (kN)1402243555677508861193145316402270318839374482
E @52.5% (kN·m)3062125249379486760102012241994315043225160
R @55% (kN)1602373786037989421269154417432413339041825099
E @55% (kN·m)3267132264401516804108013002111333645765510
RS — Super highR @52.5% (kN)1622584126558651022137616761892261936794543
E @52.5% (kN·m)367214528743756187611771413230036284987
R @55% (kN)1872744376969201087146417812012278339114829
E @55% (kN·m)387615330446359492812471495243538485280
RE — Extreme highR @52.5% (kN)1822904647379751153155118852131294141455118
E @52.5% (kN·m)408016332449263298713261591259140955618
R @55% (kN)21030949378410371225164920072266313644065441
E @55% (kN·m)4385173343521669104514051685274343375949

Reaction force (R) and energy absorption (E) per fender, at the 52.5% rated deflection and the 55% maximum deflection. Performance tolerance ±10%. The 3000H is produced in the RO and RH grades only. Product performance can be tailored to project requirements.

PIANC correction factors

Rated figures are corrected for berthing angle, site temperature, and impact duration before the fender is confirmed.

Angular factor (AF)Temperature factor (TF)Velocity factor (VF)
Angle (°)AFTemp (°C)TFTime (s)VF
01.000+500.88211.005
30.977+400.92621.002
50.951+300.96931.001
80.909+231.00041.001
100.883+101.05651.000
150.81001.09961.000
200.652-101.14381.000
-201.186≥101.000
-301.230

Reference angle 0° (AF = 1.000) and reference temperature +23 °C (TF = 1.000). The angular factor falls steadily with angle, reaching 0.652 at 20°; the temperature factor rises as the rubber stiffens in cold weather. The velocity factor is close to unity across the range, so impact duration has little effect on this fender type.

Deflection response curve

Reaction and energy do not rise linearly with deflection. The cell reaches close to its full reaction early — about 98% by 25% deflection — then flattens and dips slightly before rising again, while energy continues to build. These are the percentages of the rated (52.5%) figures at intermediate deflections.

Deflection H (%)0510152025303540455052.555
Reaction R (%)030588093989997.5959697100106
Energy E (%)0281525375060708897100106

Worked example: at 35% deflection, R = 97.5% and E = 60% of the rated figures. For a fender rated 1,000 kN / 500 kN·m, that gives 975 kN and 300 kN·m.

The most common sizing mistake. Reading the rated table straight and ignoring the grade, the angle, and the ±10% tolerance. At the same size, RE carries roughly double the reaction of RL; at 20° the angular factor is down to 0.652; and a cold berth stiffens the rubber by up to 23%. We pick the size and grade against your energy, apply the PIANC factors, then check reaction force and hull pressure.

Assembly & Accessories

Frontal Panel, Anchors, Chains & Clearances

A cell fender system is the rubber body plus the frontal panel, the facing pad, the fasteners, the cast-in anchors, and the chain system. Each part has a job, and all of it is sized together from the cell model.

System components & materials

ComponentFunctionTypical material
Rubber fenderAbsorbs ship impact energy, protecting dock and vessel.Rubber, Q235
Precast nut & boltFixes the fender to the dock.Stainless steel, Q235 HDG
U-anchorHolds the chains.Q235 painted or HDG
Frontal panelBears the reaction, increases hull contact area and lowers hull pressure — below 25 t/m² where required.Q235 / Q355 painted, or hot zinc/aluminium sprayed
Facing padReduces the friction coefficient and protects the hull.UHMW-PE
Connection bolt & nutFixes the fender to the frontal panel and other parts.Stainless steel, Q235 HDG
Weight chainSupports the panel weight and prevents the system drooping.Q235 / CM490 HDG or painted
Tension chainLimits deflection when the upper part of the fender is loaded.Q235 / CM490 HDG or painted
Shear chainRestrains shear deformation of the fender system.Q235 / CM490 HDG or painted

Precast nut — Type I (new concrete)

ModelMDHJSNnMPtVrabeTLG
500HM24177055602283255281575100366-1030075
630HM301975606520110335341575105388-1233085
800HM332385707025117355361585120428-1236085
1000HM392695758026148406432585125498-1243095
1150HM42261008085281514364625851255512-16500105
1250HM45301109090311534564930951405912-16500125
1450HM5235120951003115850656301001506912-16570135
1600HM5235120951003415850656301001506912-16570140
1700HM56351351101104016555863301051657516-20620140
2000HM64401501251163816558870401251907916-20700150
2250HM64401501251204319560870401251907916-20700150
2500HM644017012512550202651070501251907916-20700175
3000HM765019014514055207701084501352109520-24800175

All dimensions in mm. Hex bolt (MD, H, J, S), L-washer (N, n, M, P, t, V, r), precast nut (a, b, e), anchor rod and plate (T, L, G). Used for installing fenders into newly poured concrete.

Anchor bolt — Type II (existing concrete)

ModelMDALΦST (nut)NnMPtVr
500HM246028030226022832552815
630HM3070360382665201103353415
800HM3375400422870251173553615
1000HM3985460503280261484064325
1150HM4295510553485281514364625
1250HM45105550603690311534564930
1450HM521156306542100311585065630
1600HM521156306542100341585065630
1700HM561256806845110401655586330
2000HM641307807551116381655887040
2250HM641407807551120431956087040
2500HM6415078075511255020265107050
3000HM7618094088641405520770108450

All dimensions in mm. Anchor bolt (MD, A, L, ΦS), nut (T), L-washer (N, n, M, P, t, V, r).

Cast-in U-anchor & chain system

ModelΦdRLATΦGChain linksShackleTensioner
500H40706005020~30100Φ20.5Φ22M24
630H40706005020~30100Φ20.5Φ22M24
800H50806505020~30110Φ26Φ28M30
1000H55907305020~30120Φ28Φ32M33
1150H601007805025~35140Φ32Φ35M36
1250H601007805025~35140Φ34Φ38M42
1450H601007807025~35140Φ36Φ38M42
1600H651058307025~35150Φ38Φ45M48
1700H651058307025~35150Φ40Φ45M48
2000H701158807025~35160Φ42Φ45M48
2250H701158807025~35160Φ42Φ45M48
2500H801209307025~35160Φ46Φ50M56
3000H801209308025~35160Φ46Φ50M56

U-anchor dimensions in mm. Chain material Q235 HDG or Gr.U2 HDG; shackles Gr.S HDG; tensioners Q235 / GR8.8 HDG. Stud-link and open-link chains, bow and dee shackles (G-2130, G-209, G-210), tensioners, and rubber shock absorbers are available. All chain and accessory information is for guidance only — every chain design should be checked for suitability in the intended application.

Minimum clearances

There must be enough space around and between the cell fenders and the steel panel to let them deflect without interference.

ModelEdge A (mm)Centres B (mm)
500H510700
630H600880
800H7001120
1000H8501500
1150H9901730
1250H10601870
1450H12002180
1600H12702400
1700H14702550
2000H15602880
2250H17103360
2500H19103730
3000H22404500

Distances are for guidance — contact us if in doubt.

Panel weight support

Cell fenders can support significant static weight. These limits give the permitted frontal-panel weight before additional support chains are required, and they differ by cell height.

Cell heightGradeHorizontal, single or multiple (n ≥ 1)Vertical, multiple (n ≥ 2)
H ≤ 800RL — LowWH ≤ n × 0.95 × wWV ≤ n × 1.2 × w
RO — StandardWH ≤ n × 1.1 × wWV ≤ n × 1.45 × w
RH — HighWH ≤ n × 1.3 × wWV ≤ n × 1.75 × w
H ≥ 1000RL — LowWH ≤ n × 10 × w0.6WV ≤ n × 13.5 × w0.6
RO — StandardWH ≤ n × 15 × w0.6WV ≤ n × 19 × w0.6
RH — HighWH ≤ n × 19 × w0.6WV ≤ n × 23.5 × w0.6

n = number of cell fenders; w = weight of one fender; WH = panel weight for a horizontal arrangement; WV = panel weight for a vertical arrangement. Where the panel exceeds these limits, secondary support chains are added.

Know your berthing energy and reaction limit?

Send the vessel, approach speed, angle, and quay limit — we pick the cell size and reaction grade.

Get a Sized Cell →
Construction & Dimensions

Construction, Mounting & Geometry

Cutaway of a super cell rubber fender with embedded flanges and a UHMW-PE front pad

Natural and synthetic rubber, UHMW-PE face

The cell is moulded from high-strength natural and synthetic rubber for resistance to UV, seawater, and abrasion, with a design life of more than 10 years. The front face carries a low-friction UHMW-PE pad that lowers the friction against the hull and extends the life of the face.

The cell bolts to a solid foundation with 4 to 12 anchors depending on size, from M24 at the 500H to M76 at the 3000H, through bolt holes of 32 to 90 mm. Cast-in precast nuts (Type I) suit new concrete and full-shank anchor bolts (Type II) suit existing concrete. We confirm the front panel, hardware, and bolt pattern with the structure rather than leave them generic.

ModelHΦWΦBTΦdAnchorsWeight (kg)
500H50065055025324-M24112
630H63084070030394-M30231
800H800105090030406-M33410
1000H10001300110035476-M39822
1150H11501500130040506-M421220
1250H12501650145045536-M451488
1450H14501850165047616-M522330
1600H16002000180050618-M523022
1700H17002100190055668-M563730
2000H20002200200055748-M645258
2250H225025502300607410-M647452
2500H250029502700707410-M6410755
3000H300033503150859012-M7618582

Dimensions in mm, weight per fender. H is the cell height, ΦW the outer flange diameter, ΦB the bolt-circle diameter, T the flange thickness, and Φd the bolt-hole diameter. Anchors are given as count × thread size, from 4-M24 at 500H to 12-M76 at 3000H.

Where This Is Not the Right Choice

When a Different Fender Fits Better

Super cell fenders are one option in our wider rubber fenders range, built for high-energy fixed berths. They are not the right fender for every job, so here is where something else fits better.

You need very high energy at low reaction

Where the priority is the highest energy at the lowest reaction in a tapered unit, a super cone rubber fender is the alternative high-performance type.

You have a simple, low-energy berth

For general berths and workboats that do not need the cell’s energy or grade choice, a cylindrical rubber fender is simpler and cheaper.

An honest boundary. The rated tables assume 52.5% deflection at +23 °C and square-on contact, and carry a ±10% tolerance. A real berth is colder or warmer, the vessel arrives at an angle, and hull pressure depends on the panel area — none of which the table shows. We work the corrected figures and the hull pressure for your case before contract rather than quote a single rated number.

FAQ

Super Cell Rubber Fenders — Frequently Asked Questions

What do RE, RS, RH, RO and RL mean?

Five rubber grades from low (RL) through standard (RO), high (RH), super-high (RS), to extreme-high (RE) reaction. Each carries its own reaction and energy figure, so the same cell size can meet your berthing energy at the reaction force your quay can take — RE is roughly double RL at the same size.

How much energy does a super cell fender absorb?

The cell is rated at 52.5% design deflection with a 55% maximum, and both points are in the performance table. Each of the five grades carries its own energy figure — at 1000H, for instance, energy runs from 153 kN·m in RL to 324 kN·m in RE.

How does the berthing angle change performance?

Performance derates with angle: the angular factor is 0.883 at 10° and 0.652 at 20°. We apply the PIANC angular factor together with the temperature and velocity factors, and size to the actual berthing angle rather than read the table straight.

What is the front pad made of?

A low-friction UHMW-PE front pad, which lowers the friction against the hull and extends the life of the fender face. The mounting panel and hardware are confirmed with the structure for your berth.

How long do they last and what maintenance is needed?

The design life is more than 10 years, with the natural and synthetic rubber resisting UV, seawater, and abrasion. They need only simple maintenance and regular inspections of the rubber, the front pad, and the bolts.

When should I use a cone or cylindrical fender instead?

Use a super cone for the highest energy at the lowest reaction in a tapered unit, and a cylindrical fender for simple, low-energy berths and workboats. The cell suits high-energy berths where you want to tune the reaction force through the rubber grade.

Get Started · Request Sizing

Pick the cell and grade on energy, reaction and angle

A cell fender is right when its energy covers your berthing energy and the grade keeps reaction within the quay’s limit, corrected for angle. Send us the vessel and berth and we return the size, grade, and corrected performance — not a single rated figure.

Manufacturing since 2005 ISO 9001 quality system 5 reaction grades

What to send us

6 inputs
01
Vessel displacement & sizeThe largest vessel the fender must handle, by displacement and dimensions.
02
Approach speed & berthing angleBerthing speed and the expected approach angle, for the angular correction.
03
Reaction & hull pressure limitsThe quay’s reaction limit and the hull’s pressure limit, which set the grade.
04
Temperature rangeSite temperature range, so we apply the temperature correction factor.
05
Foundation & panelThe structure for the bolts and whether you need a front panel and pad.
06
DocumentationAny approval or test documentation your project requires.

You get back: a recommended cell size and reaction grade with energy absorption and reaction force corrected for angle, plus the bolt pattern and front pad.