SFT Ocean Cushion Fenders in Antarctica

ShibataFenderTeam Fenders can be found around the world. Did you know that they can also be found in the region of ice and snow, in Antarctica?

In 2018, ShibataFenderTeam was awarded with the contract to supply fenders for the modernization of Rothera Wharf, the largest British Antarctic facility, operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Rothera Station is located on Adelaide Island, west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The modernization program of around 100 million GBP was carried out in 2 seasons, as works could only be done in Antarctic summer, between November and April. The modernization program for British Antarctic Survey is a joint project between BAM (construction), Ramboll (engineering consultancy) and Sweco (BAM's design lead).

The new wharf is now ready for berthings of the new UK research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough. ShibataFenderTeam supplied four Ocean Cushion Fenders (diameter 2,500mm and length 5,000mm) and five T Head Bollards with a capacity of 100t. Ocean Cushion Fenders are floating foam fenders supplied with a heavy duty chain & tire net. The chain & tire net provides additional protection to the fender and makes it extremely robust for heavy duty operation – perfect for the sheet pile walls of Rothera wharf and the harsh environments in Antarctica.

The Ocean Cushion Fenders have proven to be successful in this environment as ShibataFenderTeam also delivered five of them for the new berth at King Edward Point Research Station on the remote Sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia. King Edward Point is also operated by British Antarctic Survey on behalf of South Georgia and the South Shetland Islands Government. The new berth had been completed just in time to celebrate Shackleton Day on 20 May which commemorates the landing of Ernest Shackleton in 1916.

ShibataFenderTeam Group is proud to be a part of such an important project and to support world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. We wish British Antarctic Survey and all researchers safe vessel operations with the support of our high-quality fenders. (#3750)(#4272)

Further information:

Article about Rothera Research Station Modernization & Video of the final construction phase "How to build a new wharf at the end of the earth?"

Article about King Edward Point Modernization & Video of the construction phase "How to build a new wharf surrounded by mountains and glaciers?"

📷 More pictures about SFT Ocean Cushion Fenders at Antarctica in our reference section