Over the past decades, vessel dimensions have grown considerably. Hence, marine structures need to absorb the larger berthing energy associated with these modern vessels. To absorb this berthing energy, quay walls and jetties are typically equipped with fender systems. In contrast with the increase of vessel size, the allowable hull pressure on vessels has decreased with every new generation of (container) vessels. Even though several case studies have been carried out into the capacities of vessels to accommodate berthing loads, a detailed assessment of berthing impact loads acting on the parallel hull of larger modern vessels that validates the current guidelines, is still lacking. This paper provides a comprehensive and structured assessment of vessel hulls impacted by fenders equipped with fender panels to gain insight into the key variables defining the critical berthing impact load. Furthermore, it offers insight into the structural response of the vessel’s parallel hull that is subject to fender induced berthing impact loads. The maximum fender induced load, as well as the allowable hull pressure found in this study, provide an important update to the current guidelines.
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With the preparation and development of the updated fender guidelines by PIANC WG211, it is evident that clear and uniform design recommendations for vessel berthing velocities need to be derived, since this is one of the most critical parameters in fender-system design. This paper outlines recommendations on how to ascertain characteristic berthing velocities for fender-system design, both in situations with and without the availability of site-specific information. The new PIANC WG211 fender design guideline advocates using sitespecific information, knowledge and experience where available (for example, utilising berthing records, past service performance, vessel approach speed limits, or the input of pilots and harbour masters) when defining the characteristic berthing velocities. Acknowledging that site-specific information is not always readily available, the PIANC WG211 report also provides recommendations for berthing velocities that can be considered in such circumstances. Furthermore, this paper explains the rationale behind the proposed berthing velocity table, which will serve as a valuable resource in fender-system design when site-specific information is lacking. The recommended characteristic berthing velocities in this study are carefully derived, taking into consideration the berthing velocities recommended in various design guidelines, including PIANC WG33, PIANC WG145, the German EAU2020, BS6349, the Spanish ROM, Japanese OCDI, Indian Standard IS4651, American UFC and MOTEMS. Additionally, this paper incorporates insights from recently published and unpublished berthing velocity records from the United States, Northeast Europe and Korea. The comprehensive examination of available information prompted a reassessment of some historically embedded hypotheses within the fender industry. The key findings resulting from this study significantly contribute to the design and assessment of fender systems. In essence, this paper underlines the crucial role of site-specific information and experience in determining characteristic berthing velocities. Practical recommendations are provided for scenarios where such information is unavailable, emphasising the importance of monitoring and adopting site-specific velocities as effective measures to optimise fender designs.. This approach aims to bridge the gap between theoretical considerations and practical applications in the maritime engineering domain, offering valuable insights for engineers and practitioners involved in fender-system design and assessment.@en

The PIANC Guidelines for the Design of Fender Systems: 2002 (WG33) is to be replaced by an updated document, PIANC Fender Guidelines 2024 (WG211). With the preparation and development of PIANC WG211, the issues that should be considered when selecting a fender system deserve as much attention as the design of any other element of the structure of which it is a part. This paper describes the fender selection process as outlined in Chapter 6 of PIANC WG211. The guideline provides background information on the range of factors influencing fender system selection, including estimating key aspects of vessel geometry, assessing multiple fender system contacts, and determining how the design vessel(s) is likely to interact with the proposed fender system. PIANC WG211 introduces the term ‘Base Fender Performance’, and this paper includes an overview of the detailed guidance now provided on the method to calculate and apply the relevant correction factors. It includes a new correction factor associated with accounting for the effect of multiple fender system contacts and the application of partial resistance factors now adopted for the selection of fenders, related to determining fender design performance. This paper also provides details on the updates to design guidance associated with factors affecting hull pressure, including the effect on the selection of fenders and the sizing of fender panels. This paper will provide designers, and others involved with the selection of fenders and fender systems, with a comprehensive overview of the revised and updated guidance, considerations and methodologies now included within WG211.@en