Protecting maritime workers with Dyneema®-based mooring lines
In a heavy-duty industry like shipping, crew safety is the top priority - so it’s no surprise that more and more ports are closing their walls to vessels that don’t use HMPE mooring ropes. These synthetic lines are not only more efficient than steel wire alternatives, but also safer.
But did you know that only ropes made with Dyneema® SK78 fiber offer the highest safety and reliability from day one? Thanks to their enhanced engineered characteristics, they’re able to overcome the main failure mechanisms of generic synthetic HMPE – enabling a longer safe service life and peace of mind for shipping operators.
Drawing the line at HMPE
One in four mooring line incidents leads to a severe leg injury. One in seven ends in a fatality. Today, more and more ports and maritime operators are making synthetic lines mandatory – because steel wire ropes simply aren’t worth the risk.
Precision engineered for optimum safety
Every year, more than 10,000 km of mooring lines made with Dyneema® SK78 are used at ports around the world. That’s more than 10,000 km of ropes with properties that are carefully engineered to prevent breakages from happening at all.
After all, Dyneema® is more than just the world’s strongest fiber™. When used in mooring lines, it helps address the other common issues that can cause rope deterioration and put crews at risk:
- Fatigue
- Abrasion
- Creep
- Temperature extremes
Why Dyneema® is the safest choice in any port
We’re proud that ropes made with our UHWMPE Dyneema® have a zero-failure record stretching back 25 years – but even in the unlikely event that a rope were to break, the danger would be far less than with a steel rope or a generic HMPE rope. Here’s why.
Dyneema® has low elasticity
This means there’s up to 10 times less energy stored in mooring lines made with Dyneema® SK78 than in other synthetic ropes, which strongly reduces the risk of severe injuries in case of breakage.
Dyneema® is low weight
A rope made with Dyneema® SK78 is seven times lighter than a steel wire equivalent of the same strength, which results in considerably lower recoil in case of breakage.
Dyneema® means no backlash
If a Dyneema® SK78 -based rope were to break, it would display linear recoil with no dangerous snaking behavior, reducing the risk of injury to vessel and port personnel.
Furthermore, Dyneema® SK78 can be used in jacketed ropes, which offer added protection against abrasion and backlash, and unjacketed ropes, which are lighter, more flexible, and easier to inspect. As a result, no matter what solution you need, you can ensure safe working practices that protect your crew and your operations.
Protection for the planet
With the lowest carbon footprint per unit strength of any high-performance fiber, Dyneema® supports the maritime industry as it works to meet its sustainability targets. Best of all, the bio-circular version of our high-performance fiber helps protect the planet with no compromise on safety.
Contact our sales team
When safety is everything, choosing the right mooring lines is a big decision. Our experts are on hand to help you protect your team and keep your operations running smoothly.
- Tailor-made recommendations for your mooring assemblies
- Expert understanding of mooring conditions at a wide range of berthing environments around the world
- Unrivaled knowledge of rope performance for optimal safety
- Support with lowering installation costs for mooring systems
- Advice on regulatory compliance
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Safe, durable, lightweight, sustainable: Dyneema® SK78 is the ultimate solution for mooring lines and tow ropes in an industry where there’s no room for error.
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