Customized Donut Fender Solution Supports Ferry Terminal Upgrade at Sjællands Odde, Denmark

Serving as a key ferry connection between Zealand and Jutland, the terminal at Sjællands Odde, Denmark, provides passenger and vehicle ferry services operated by Molslinjen A/S. The existing berth is currently undergoing refurbishment to accommodate a new fleet of larger electric ferries as part of the world's biggest maritime electrification project. As part of this upgrade, ShibataFenderTeam supplied four customized Donut Fenders engineered for the project's installation requirements.

The introduction of larger ferries created new operational requirements. Additional guidance was needed to help maintain the correct vessel position and alignment alongside the berth, minimizing movement caused by the regular strong winds of the area. SFT addressed these requirements with a customized Donut Fender solution.

The scope of supply included four Donut Fenders (Ø3500x5700 mm). The large fenders provide a high freeboard and a long, soft contact surface that helps stabilize ferries while berthed. As they float with the tide, they maintain a consistent contact height despite changing water levels, supporting their guiding function under varying tidal conditions.

Achieving this guiding function required precise engineering. Because the final dimensions of the Donut Fenders depended on measurements taken after the piles had been installed, manufacturing could only be finalized once those measurements were available. The final fender dimensions were then adjusted to the pile installation tolerances to achieve the precise clearance needed to help maintain the vessel’s correct position and alignment alongside the berth.

Close coordination between SFT’s engineering team and its manufacturing facility in Rechlin, Germany, made this possible. At the same time, rapid production and delivery were required because the ferry terminal remained operational and the newly installed piles were temporarily unprotected. From order placement to completed installation, the project was delivered in approximately six months.

The project demonstrates how project-specific engineering, manufacturing precision and close collaboration can deliver fender solutions for ferry terminals where accurate vessel positioning is essential for safe ferry operations (#6522).

More pictures about our Donut Fenders for the ferry connection at Sjællands Odde.