Contributed by ShibataFenderTeam
Steeped in history, the Port of Sheerness is part of the London Medway cluster operated by Peel Ports. Located at the mouth of the Thames Estuary, it offers seamless access to London and Northern Europe. Handling a variety of cargo—including automotive, steel, timber, and RoRo—the port, constructed in the early 19th century, continues evolving and unlocking opportunities to accommodate larger vessels and strengthen its role as a leading logistics hub.
As part of the ongoing improvements, GPS Mac addressed the refurbishment of Berth No. 1, where the existing fender systems had become inadequate for the larger RoRo vessels now docking at the berth. Selected for this upgrading project, ShibataFenderTeam designed and delivered a customized solution consisting of 9 sets of Pile Fenders, each featuring an Element Fender (FE 1600×1500 G2.8) and a closed-box steel panel measuring 2200×7650 mm.
Due to the limited mounting space on the jetty, our in-house engineering team selected Element Fenders for their compact, modular design —perfectly suited to the project’s constraints. However, the rubber fender alone does not define the system. For this installation, an exceptionally large steel panel was clamped over the pile, using a specially engineered construction driven deep into the seabed for lasting stability.
Other operational requirements, including the types of vessels berthing at the port, also influenced the solution design. Shear chains were incorporated to resist horizontal forces generated by berthing maneuvers as well as chamfers to make sure the hull beltings present on numerous RoRo vessels do not get stuck on or below the panel and cause severe fender damages.
The Port of Sheerness continues to build on its proud legacy as a hub for international trade, showcasing how heritage and state-of-the-art fender systems can seamlessly coexist. This historic port is now prepared to welcome the larger vessels of tomorrow.