Less bulk, extreme loads (+71%): the success of the 350 Custom Double Bollards

Project Summary

Client: A leading European shipyard active in the construction of high-performance vessels.
The Challenge: Equip the new vessels with mooring and towing systems capable of withstanding extreme working loads, while reducing weight and deck footprint compared to traditional standards.
The Solution: Engineering and installation of Posidonia's Double Bollards 350 Custom, developed from the rigorous NS standards.
The Results: A 62% increase in Safe Working Load (SWL) for mooring and 71% for towing compared to equivalent ISO 13795 units, with minimised footprint and IACS certification (RINA).

The challenge: limited space and the need for extreme loads

In modern naval architecture, optimising deck space and reducing weight are critical factors for a vessel's success. A leading European shipyard approached Posidonia with a complex engineering requirement for a new series of ships. The project called for mooring bollards capable of delivering unprecedented levels of safety and load capacity (SWL), for both standard mooring operations and heavy towing.

Using traditional construction standards such as ISO 13795, the shipyard faced an insurmountable obstacle. To reach the breaking loads required by the project, the bollards would have needed excessive dimensions and weight. This would inevitably have taken up vital space needed for on-board operations and compromised the vessel's weight balance. The shipyard needed a technical partner capable of pushing past the limits of the standard solutions available on the market

The Posidonia solution: maximising efficiency

To meet this challenge, Posidonia's engineering team abandoned the conventional approach and launched an in-depth study examining the most stringent international standards. Starting from the solid foundations of the NS (Norwegian Standard), the engineers completely re-engineered the bollard's structure. The goal was to create a component that could boast the highest SWL in the world for its size category, eliminating any material waste and optimising force distribution.

The result of this research and development process was the creation of the Double Bollards 350 Custom. These bollards were engineered not only by redesigning the internal geometries and the thickness of the high-strength materials, but also by customising the height to the shipyard's exact specifications. This bespoke approach made it possible to integrate the mooring systems seamlessly into the deck design, meeting the space constraints set by the naval architects.

The results: record-breaking performance and IACS Certification

Installing the 350 Custom Bollards allowed the shipyard to achieve every project objective, delivering performance gains that redefined industry standards. At the same nominal diameter as a traditional ISO 13795 bollard, Posidonia's engineered solution showed an overwhelming superiority in load testing. The shipyard benefited from a 62% increase in mooring SWL, ensuring exceptional holding even in the harshest weather conditions.

Even more impressive was the figure for towing operations. The new configuration recorded a 71% increase in towing SWL, giving the end shipowner a vessel that is significantly safer and more versatile. The entire design and testing process was successfully validated, achieving IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) approval via the RINA classification society. The shipyard was thus able to deliver a lighter ship, with clearer decks and the highest safety standards available on the market.

Call us and ask how we can help you increase the performance
of your boat while reducing its weight.

Ask for a quote

Brochure download