What are the differences?

What are the differences between Pneumatic (Yokohama type) fenders and foam fenders? Pneumatic fenders are just like a foam filled or foam fenders both floating fenders. Yet there are also differences between the two types of fenders.

Pneumatic fenders are air-filled rubber fenders consisting of a wear-resistant rubber outer layer with a reinforcement that is then filled with air. If the rubber of the fender is damaged, the fender can deflate and the fender can lose its function. Foam fenders are made from a foam core surrounded by a flexible and wear-resistant layer of Polyurethane with a fabric reinforcement. Foam fenders will not deflate and damage their Polyurethane coating.

There are also some differences in the perfomance of Yokohama type fenders and foam fenders. Because the air in a pneumatic fender can move freely, when the impact of the fender is at an angle with the pneumatic fender, the energy intake will gradually remain distributed. With a foam fender or fixed rubber fenders, on the other hand, the "load distrubtion" will not be the same everywhere on the ship's wall.

Because the pneumatic fenders (Yokohama fenders) are air-filled in operation, they can also be transported for (temporary) transport in the non-inflated state. The advantage is that the fenders then take up less space during transport. With long-term storage, however, it is better that the fenders are (partially) filled with air to ensure that the rubber remains in the most optimal condition. For more information on this, see also: "What is the best way to store and move pneumatic fenders?"