TRELLEBORG DEMONSTRATES VALUE OF SMART SPECIFICATION

Berths 1 and 2 at the Breakbulk Terminal are old concrete structures that require the installation of a superior fender system as part of the upgrade works. DICT discovered that another port in Davao had upgraded their berth using low quality fender systems that cracked within just months of installation and the frontal frames began to corrode too.

DICT quickly embarked on a project to replace its existing equipment with high quality, best-in-class solutions. Trelleborg provided an end-to-end approach, through consultation on fendering, design along with engineering, manufacturing, testing, commissioning and installation works as well as after-sales and maintenance.

DICT turned to Trelleborg to supply 20 of its SCN900 fender systems to enable the berthing of vessels up to 30,000 DWT at Berths 1 and 2. As part of the terminal''s wider plans for expansion, DICT also opted for 22 SCN1100E2.9 fender systems and 12 100T Tea Head bollards allowing for the berthingof the latest ultra-large container vesselsup to 60,000 DWT at its newly constructed Berth 3.

Mr. Jesse G. Chiongson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of DICT, commented: “The performance of the DICT''s previous fender systems significantly affected the operation of the terminal and ran the risk of harming its reputation as the leading port terminal in Mindanao. Therefore we had no hesitation in working closely with Trelleborg to define an ideal solution which would not only stand the test of time but guarantee the demanding load-bearing requirements of the vessels berthing at the terminal. Trelleborg''s unrivalled reputation and technical qualification meant the company was a natural choice to supply the project.”

Extensive testing of the performance of the terminal''s previous fenders revealed that these were unable to guarantee the load bearing requirements of existing reefer vessels.

Richard Hepworth, President of Trelleborg''s marine operation, says: “The issue of quality in marine fenders is one that we have been discussing for some time. We have long called for more strategic specification for mission critical equipment and this is now translating across the market.

“Like more and more customers, it is pleasing to see that Davao International Container Terminal recognises the importance of quality. They realise that taking this approach will mean savings over the life of the fender system and the berth as a whole, whilst reducing the risk of damage to both vessels and the terminal''s infrastructure itself.”

Trelleborg''s Super Cone fenders (SCN) are the latest generation of ‘cell'' fenders, with optimal performance and efficiency. The conical body shape makes the SCN very stable even at large compression angles, and provides excellent shear strength. With overload stops, the SCN are even more resistant to over-compression.