Marine Airbag with Thick Rubber Layer for Wear Resistant and Stable Load Capacity Ship Launching

The Airbag Launching Ship system is an innovative vessel launching solution designed to support the safe and controlled transfer of ships from land-based construction areas into the water by utilizing inflatable marine airbags as rolling support elements. This launching method has become an established engineering practice within the global shipbuilding industry because it minimizes dependence on permanent launching facilities while providing excellent operational flexibility for projects involving different vessel types and shipyard layouts.

Hongruntong Marine manufactures marine airbags using high-grade natural rubber integrated with multiple layers of high-strength synthetic tire cord reinforcement. The engineered composite structure provides excellent pressure-bearing capability, mechanical strength, and deformation recovery under continuous rolling loads. Precision vulcanization technology ensures strong adhesion between reinforcement layers and rubber compounds, resulting in stable structural performance, reliable airtightness, and consistent product quality throughout repeated industrial applications.

During launching operations, the airbags are arranged beneath the vessel according to carefully calculated engineering parameters, including hull geometry, displacement, center of gravity, and launching distance. Once inflated to the required working pressure, the airbags elevate the vessel from its support blocks and allow it to move progressively toward the water through controlled rolling motion.

An offshore engineering contractor in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was responsible for fabricating several heavy-duty steel pontoons and offshore service barges for a coastal infrastructure development project. Following a comprehensive engineering review, Hongruntong Marine developed a customized marine airbag launching solution.

The first offshore service barge, weighing approximately 4,800 tons, was successfully transferred from the fabrication platform into the water using the marine airbag system. Throughout the launching operation, the airbags demonstrated stable rolling characteristics and maintained uniform support beneath the steel structure despite the heavy concentrated loads.

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

• Offshore Fabrication and Module Transportation: Marine airbags are widely used to launch offshore support barges, floating production modules, steel pontoons, and prefabricated marine structures.
• Commercial Vessel Construction: Shipyards constructing cargo vessels, tugboats, ferries, fishing boats, landing craft, and workboats utilize marine airbags to improve launching efficiency.
• Shipyard Expansion and Temporary Launching Facilities: Marine airbags provide an effective solution for newly established or expanding shipyards where permanent launching systems have not yet been constructed.

• Experienced Engineering Design Capability: Combines manufacturing expertise with practical marine engineering knowledge to develop launching solutions for diverse vessel types and operational environments.
• Reliable Material Selection and Manufacturing Standards: Utilizes premium natural rubber, high-strength synthetic reinforcement, and precision vulcanization technology to achieve consistent structural performance.
• Complete Quality Verification Process: Each marine airbag is subjected to comprehensive inspection before delivery to verify structural integrity and manufacturing consistency.
• Comprehensive Technical Service: Provides technical support throughout the entire project lifecycle, including product selection, engineering consultation, and operational guidance.