In any mooring operation, crew members’ safety is the most important consideration – and the right mooring line materials can help ensure it. Indeed, HMPE ropes were introduced on this basis as a safer alternative to brittle steel-based ropes.
In any mooring operation, crew members’ safety is the most important consideration – and the right mooring line materials can help ensure it. Indeed, HMPE ropes were introduced on this basis as a safer alternative to brittle steel-based ropes.
However, HMPE mooring lines cannot always guarantee safety, losing strength at around 50°C. The inner temperatures of mooring lines on LNG carriers can be much higher. And incidents caused by HMPE rope breakages can have serious consequences.
Aramid: The safest option for mooring in hot climates
Aramid fibers such as Twaron® and Technora® provide a strong, fully reliable solution. Unlike HMPE, aramid has very low creep even at elevated temperatures (download full article here). This reduces the risk of premature creep rupture and, ultimately, breakage, making mooring safer.
In the hot regions where LNG carriers often operate – such as Qatar, Australia, and Oman – mooring line temperatures can easily reach 50°C and above, so this high-temperature performance is a particularly important safety benefit.
Tested in real-life temperatures
To confirm these advantages, Teijin Aramid tested aramid-based ropes against HMPE ropes in the labs at its Research & Innovation Center. The ropes were exposed to temperatures typical of real operating conditions for LNG carriers.
Tested in real-life temperatures
To confirm these advantages, Teijin Aramid tested aramid-based ropes against HMPE ropes in the labs at its Research & Innovation Center. The ropes were exposed to temperatures typical of real operating conditions for LNG carriers.
In short, aramid is the safest choice for LNG carriers operating in high-temperature environments, delivering flexibility and strength-to-weight ratios comparable to HMPE at much lower creep.
Learn more about Teijin’s contribution to safer mooring lines
To request a rope sample, get in touch or find out more about the safety advantages of Twaron® and Technora® in mooring lines, please visit our website www.teijinaramid.com/mooring-lines
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