Marine Rubber Airbag Waterproof Corrosion Resistant Low Deformation for Ship Launching

The Airbag Launching Ship system is a flexible vessel launching technology designed to transport newly built or repaired ships from construction platforms into the water through controlled rolling supported by pneumatic marine airbags. The system eliminates the dependence on conventional slipways, launching rails, and large dry dock facilities, providing shipyards with an efficient launching solution that can be adapted to different vessel dimensions, site conditions, and production capacities.

Hongruntong Marine manufactures marine airbags using premium-grade natural rubber and high-strength synthetic tire cord reinforcement through an integrated vulcanization process. The multilayer construction forms a robust pressure-bearing structure capable of resisting heavy compressive loads, cyclic deformation, impact forces, and continuous rolling friction.

During vessel launching, the airbags are positioned beneath the hull according to calculated spacing and load distribution requirements. After inflation to the specified working pressure, the vessel is gradually lifted from its supporting blocks and transferred onto the rolling airbags. As the airbags rotate beneath the hull, the vessel advances smoothly toward the water while maintaining balanced structural support.

A government-owned shipbuilding enterprise in Turkiye was awarded a contract to construct a series of 2,700 DWT coastal patrol and logistics support vessels. Due to the limited width of the existing launching area and the absence of a heavy-duty slipway, the shipyard required a launching solution that could accommodate multiple vessel launches without interrupting ongoing production activities.

Hongruntong Marine conducted a comprehensive engineering assessment covering vessel displacement, hull geometry, launching slope, soil bearing capacity, and environmental conditions. Based on the technical analysis, a customized airbag launching configuration was developed, including optimized airbag specifications, pressure calculations, rolling distance analysis, and launching sequence planning.

The first vessel was launched successfully using the customized marine airbag system. Throughout the operation, the airbags maintained stable rolling performance while evenly supporting the reinforced hull structure. The vessel entered the water smoothly without abnormal vibration, structural deformation, or equipment damage.

* Other sizes can be produced following client's requirements.

• Naval and Government Shipbuilding Projects: Marine airbags are suitable for launching patrol vessels, coast guard ships, research vessels, and auxiliary naval craft where controlled launching procedures and structural safety are critical.
• Ship Repair and Modernization Facilities: After major structural repairs, hull extensions, or propulsion system upgrades, repaired vessels require reliable relaunching solutions.
• Large Steel Marine Fabrication Projects: Fabricated marine structures such as floating bridges, caissons, offshore support modules, and heavy steel pontoons can be transferred into the water using marine airbags.

• Extensive Marine Engineering Knowledge: Hongruntong Marine combines practical ship launching experience with engineering analysis to develop solutions for a wide variety of vessel types and operational environments.
• Advanced Manufacturing Technology: Production is supported by modern manufacturing equipment, precision vulcanization processes, and carefully controlled material preparation.
• Comprehensive Quality Assurance: Quality management extends from raw material inspection to finished product verification. Each marine airbag undergoes dimensional inspection, airtightness testing, pressure evaluation, appearance examination, and structural verification before shipment.
• Long-Term Technical Partnership: Hongruntong Marine provides continuous technical support throughout the product lifecycle, including engineering consultation, customized specification recommendations, launching procedure guidance, maintenance advice, and after-sales assistance.