The function of dock fenders and fendering systems is to prevent, or at least reduce, damage to the structure of the ship and/or quay during berthing. In addition, a well-designed fender system can permit economies to be made in the quay structure as the impact of berthing is lessened.

Until recently it was considered sufficient to fix horizontal or vertical members to the berthing face of quay structures. However, significant increases in ship tonnages, with consequent increases in berthing impact, warrant the use of more resilient and sophisticated materials.

It is probable that the use of discarded rubber tyres led to development of hollow cylindrical and rectangular fenders, now in such common use, as well as the many patented sections and types of absorbent buffer. Rubber has come to the forefront as a fender material due to its capacity to absorb by elastic deformation the kinetic energy of impact, restoring itself to its original shape without deterioration. It is a comparatively easy material to handle and its physical properties nowadays are such that it resists attack by weather, seawater, oil and pests. Low initial capital and maintenance cost, together with savings in structural costs, usually show rubber to be the most economic solution to fendering problems today. The kinetic energy of impact of a berthing ship may be calculated by consideration of a number basic factors in relation to the proposed location and nature of berth and the sizes and types of the vessel to be accommodated, as detailed below.

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