West Berth Fender Replacement at Ports of Jersey

Project Overview:

Case Study: West Berth Fender Replacement at Ports of Jersey
Project: West Berth RORO Fender Replacement
Location: Elizabeth Terminal, St. Helier, Jersey
Date: Completed March 2024

The Challenge: Critical Infrastructure Renewal

The West Berth at St. Helier’s Elizabeth Terminal is a vital link in the Channel Islands’ supply chain, serving as a primary Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) facility. The project required a complete turnkey replacement of the existing fendering system to accommodate high-frequency ferry services, including the 9,763t displacement Commodore Clipper. The new system had to be designed, supplied, and installed within a strict operational window, adhering to BS 6349 Part 4 and PIANC WG211 guidelines to ensure maximum safety and berthing efficiency.

The DockGuard Solution

DockGuard provided a comprehensive “design-to-installation” solution tailored to the unique tidal and operational demands of the Ports of Jersey. The system was engineered to provide consistent energy absorption across a wide range of vessel types and water levels.

Key System Components:

DCN1150 D4 Cone Fender Systems: Six high-performance cone fender units served as the energy-absorbing core for the berth.

Extreme-Length Steel Panels: The project featured massive fabricated steel panels, including two “Long Panel” systems measuring 2200mm x 16400mm and two “Vertical Panel” systems measuring 1600mm x 12600mm.

Advanced Marine Coating: All steelwork was shotblasted to SA2.5 and finished with a dual-coat black marine-grade system at 450 microns to withstand the aggressive North Sea environment.

Innovation in Design: Engineering for Tidal Variance

The standout technical achievement of this project was the engineering of the ultra-long vertical panels. Reaching lengths of up to 16.4 metres, these bespoke panels were designed by the DockGuard technical team to provide a continuous, safe berthing face across Jersey’s significant tidal range.
By integrating these massive panels with DCN1150 Cone Fenders, DockGuard ensured that RORO vessels could berth safely regardless of the tide height or hull profile. The solution included full performance verification testing according to PIANC 2002 standards, ensuring that the theoretical design met real-world energy absorption requirements.

Project Outcome

DockGuard’s ability to manage the full scope—from initial berthing energy calculations to the final QA package—ensured that the Ports of Jersey received a future-proofed, low-maintenance fendering solution. The West Berth is now fully equipped to continue its role as a critical gateway for the Channel Islands, backed by a comprehensive warranty and ISO9001:2015 quality assurance.