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3 life-saving questions you need to ask to ensure a safe mooring solution

With a wide variety of mooring ropes available across the world, choosing the best and most effective solution may be a complex process. Here are the three of the most important aspects to look out for, so you can find the safest option that doesn’t compromise on quality.

1. Has the product been tested extensively? 

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Extensive testing is the only way to obtain specific data on how a mooring rope is performing in every aspect, under different conditions. This ensures the safest possible mooring operation onboard vessels.  

Rather than a brief overview of the rope’s performance, elongation, abrasion, durability, consider how extensively the mooring solution has been tested by trained professionals in accordance with industry standards.  

How we do it

At Wilhelmsen’s test facilities in Timm Slovakia, we perform tests of fiber ropes using a state-of-the-art test bench that can withstand a testing limit of up to 300 metric tons.  

Our rigorous research and development process includes stringent certification and verification by leading class societies and real-life simulations, ensuring the quality of our ropes. 

Read more about how our ropes with the Snap Back Arrestor (SBA) feature has prevented injuries for the crew onboard the Kassian Maritime's bulk carrier.

2. Has it been proven in real-life mooring conditions?  

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Various factors in real life mooring conditions will affect the expected lifespan and performance of the rope. It is essential to take these into account when determining if a solution is the best fit for your vessel:  

  • vessel type
  • mooring arrangement
  • mooring design
  • position of the rope
  • trading pattern
  • ports
  • cargo
  • environment 

 

How we do it

Wilhelmsen’s award-winning ropes are meticulously tested in real-life simulations in Flekkefjord, Norway, and have proven effective in many live situations. 

3. Is it independently verified?  

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Approvals from leading class societies provide an objective indication on whether the product in question is of the quality promised by the manufacturer.  

With new technology like Timm SBA and other snap back solutions, verification is one of few ways to tangibly prove that the quality of the solution is up to par with industry standards.  

We provide a total mooring solution comprising rope products, services and documentation. This integrated approach to safety and compliance contributes to prolonging the lifetime of your mooring ropes. It also streamlines the life cycle management process, from procurement to installation, use and retirement, and ensures that all required documents and information are easily available for seamless vetting inspections.  

How we do it

At Wilhelmsen, all tests are conducted by trained professionals in accordance with the ISO 2307:2010, CI 1500A, CI 1500B, ClassNK and DNV Type Approval Program.  

Mooring operation remains one of the most dangerous operations onboard a ship today. As technology evolves and more solutions become available on the market, finding one that best answers these fundamental questions will help safeguard your crew and prevent injuries onboard.  

Did you know that our Acera Amundsen and Acera daGama SBA ropes are recently certified by ClassNK? Read more