Bollard
medium
5 models total
A bollard is a fixed steel post welded to the deck for taking a mooring line's eye or bight, simple in principle, but its holding capacity depends entirely on how well the load is spread into the deck structure beneath it, not on the casting alone.
Read more — Bollard explained ▾
What sets a bollard apart
A bollard looks like the simplest piece of equipment on deck, but it carries some of the highest concentrated loads a ship's structure sees: the full pull of a mooring line, sometimes two lines crossed on the same pair of posts, transmitted through a small footprint into the deck plating. What makes a bollard fit for purpose is not the casting itself, which is usually a straightforward design, but the doubler plates, brackets and reinforcement welded beneath the deck to spread that load into the surrounding structure. A bollard bolted or welded onto unreinforced deck plating will eventually tear the plating around its base long before the casting itself fails. This is the key distinction from other deck fittings such as padeyes or fairleads: a bollard is rated by the mooring line load path through the whole local structure, not by the strength of the fitting in isolation.
Main types
- Single bollard — one post, used for lighter duty or where deck space is tight
- Double (twin) bollard — the standard mooring bollard, two posts on a common base allowing a line to be figure-eighted for a secure, adjustable hold
- Bitts — a related fitting, typically lower and heavier, common at the towing point or where very high loads concentrate
- Warping drum end posts — bollards that double as a powered warping point on some vessels
Selection and sizing
- Safe working load matched to the mooring line pull the fitting is expected to take, per the ship's mooring arrangement plan
- Base plate and underdeck reinforcement designed together with the bollard, not specified as separate items
- Post diameter and height suited to the mooring line size actually used, so the line does not chafe on a post that is too small
- Position relative to fairleads, so the mooring line runs at a fair lead angle rather than across a sharp edge
Regulations and class
Classification society rules for mooring equipment set the required safe working loads for bollards based on the ship's equipment number, and specify how the load is to be verified through the deck structure, not just the casting. Survey checks include visual inspection for cracking at the weld toe between bollard and deck, a common fatigue point given the cyclic loading mooring lines apply.
Typical faults
| Fault | Cause | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Weld cracking at the base | Fatigue from repeated mooring loads, or a single overload event | Progressive weakening, risk of the bollard tearing free under load |
| Deck plating deformation around the base | Inadequate underdeck reinforcement for the loads actually applied | Local structural damage that can spread if not repaired |
| Wasted or grooved post surface | Years of mooring line chafe against the same contact point | Reduced post diameter concentrates load on the mooring line and accelerates line wear |
| Corrosion at the deck-to-base joint | Trapped moisture at a poorly sealed base joint | Hidden thinning of the base plate, only found on close inspection |
What to look for in a supplier
- A bollard supplied with a matching underdeck reinforcement drawing, not the casting alone
- Safe working load certification tied to the ship's actual equipment number, not a generic catalogue rating
- Post dimensions suited to the mooring line size in service, confirmed against current line diameter rather than the original build specification if lines have since changed
- Welding procedure and material grade compatible with the surrounding deck steel
Look under the deck, not just at the bollard, during inspection: cracking or deformation in the reinforcement below is often the true early warning, and it is invisible from the deck surface where everyone normally looks.
1 manufacturers · 5 models
Generic (Class Approved)
5
Single Bollard 50t SWL
SWL 50t
· Deck Hardware
· cast steel bollard
Safe working load tonnes
50
Type
single
Material
cast_steel
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Foundation weld cracking
- Bollard body corrosion
- Base plate wastage
Service: NDT foundation welds at dry-dock; maintain paint coating.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Generic (Class Approved) oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- High SWL (50 t) suitable for large vessels
- Robust cast‑steel construction offers good impact resistance
- Class approved – meets basic regulatory requirements
- Simple single‑bollard design simplifies installation and maintenance
- Allows routine NDT of foundation welds during dry‑dock periods
Weaknesses
- Foundation welds prone to cracking if not properly designed or inspected
- Cast steel can suffer corrosion in aggressive marine environments without diligent coating upkeep
- Base plate wear may require periodic resurfacing or replacement
- Single‑point arrangement limits flexibility for multi‑line mooring arrangements
- Heavy deadweight may necessitate deck reinforcement on lighter vessels
Typical Vessels:
TankerContainer shipBulk carrierOffshore supply vesselGeneral cargo vessel
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a reliable 50 t mooring point on vessels with sufficient deck strength, prefer a proven cast‑steel design, and can perform regular NDT/painting maintenance. Avoid if: the vessel operates in highly corrosive waters without robust coating programs, requires multiple bollards for complex mooring arrangements, or has limited deck load capacity.
Use Cases: Installed on the main deck to secure the ship to shore mooring lines during berthing, to provide a tug‑assist point, or as an emergency anchorage attachment in offshore operations.
Double Bollard 100t SWL
SWL 100t
· Deck Hardware
· cast steel double bollard
Safe working load tonnes
100
Type
double
Material
cast_steel
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Foundation bolt elongation
- Horn tip cracking
- Base corrosion
Service: Check foundation bolt torque annually; NDT horn tips at dry-dock.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Generic (Class Approved) oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- High SWL (100 t) provides ample margin for large vessels and heavy towing loads
- Double‑bollard arrangement offers redundancy; one side can be used while the other remains secured
- Robust cast‑steel construction gives excellent impact resistance and long service life
- Class approval simplifies regulatory acceptance during vessel surveys
- Standard bolt‑on foundation allows retrofit to existing deck structures
Weaknesses
- Heavy overall weight increases deck reinforcement requirements
- Known failure modes include foundation bolt elongation, horn tip cracking and base corrosion if not inspected regularly
- Double configuration occupies more deck space than a single bollard
- Requires annual torque check of foundation bolts and periodic NDT of horn tips at dry‑dock
Typical Vessels:
TankerBulk CarrierContainer ShipOffshore Supply VesselCruise Ship
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a high‑capacity (100 t) mooring point with built‑in redundancy and have sufficient deck strength for the bollard’s weight. Avoid if: deck reinforcement is limited, corrosion control is problematic, or space constraints prevent a double‑bollard layout.
Use Cases: Installed on the main deck of large commercial vessels to secure mooring lines during berthing, to serve as a towing point for offshore operations, and as a backup anchorage attachment in heavy weather conditions.
Double Bollard 150t SWL
SWL 150t
· Deck Hardware
· cast steel double bollard
Safe working load tonnes
150
Type
double
Material
cast_steel
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Horn root cracking
- Foundation deformation
- Paint system failure
Service: NDT horn roots at every dry-dock; apply high-build paint system.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Generic (Class Approved) oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- High SWL (150 t) suitable for large vessels and offshore units
- Double arrangement allows two lines on a single fitting, reducing deck clutter
- Robust cast‑steel construction provides long service life when properly maintained
- Class approval ensures compliance with statutory mooring requirements
- Straightforward NDT access to horn roots for condition monitoring
Weaknesses
- Large footprint can limit placement on vessels with restricted deck space
- Horn‑root cracking reported if inspection and repaint cycles are missed
- Foundation must be engineered to resist deformation under high loads
- Requires regular dry‑dock NDT and high‑build paint system, increasing maintenance cost
- Heavy weight adds to overall vessel deadweight (exact figure not disclosed)
Typical Vessels:
TankerBulk CarrierContainer ShipLNG/LPG CarrierOffshore Supply Vessel
Decision Guide: Choose if the vessel requires a high‑capacity, double‑line mooring solution and can accommodate regular NDT/painting maintenance. Avoid if deck space is limited, load requirements are below 150 t, or the operator cannot commit to the prescribed inspection regime.
Use Cases: Installed on the main deck of large commercial ships for securing two mooring lines during port stays, offshore platforms for vessel berthing, and at tug‑assist stations where high tensile loads are common.
Triple Bollard 200t SWL
SWL 200t
· Deck Hardware
· cast steel bollard
Safe working load tonnes
200
Type
triple
Material
cast_steel
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Foundation stress cracking
- Horn misalignment from impact
- Corrosion under paint
Service: Full NDT at dry-dock; realign if struck by vessel/tug.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Generic (Class Approved) oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- High working load (200 t) suitable for large vessels and offshore units
- Triple arrangement allows simultaneous handling of multiple lines
- Robust cast‑steel construction with class approval ensures structural integrity
- Straightforward NDT inspection at dry‑dock
- Can be realigned after impact without full replacement
Weaknesses
- Foundation stress can cause cracking if not properly engineered
- Horn may become misaligned after vessel or tug impact
- Potential for corrosion under paint if maintenance is neglected
- Requires substantial deck reinforcement and foundation work
- Large footprint limits placement on smaller vessels
Typical Vessels:
Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC)Ultra‑large Container ShipBulk Carrier (>150 kt)Offshore Supply VesselCruise Ship
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a high‑capacity, class‑approved mooring point for vessels >150 kt and have sufficient deck reinforcement. Avoid if: the vessel has limited deck space, low mooring loads, or cannot accommodate the required foundation work.
Use Cases: Installed on the main deck of large tankers, container ships, and offshore supply vessels to secure multiple mooring lines during port stays, heavy weather anchorage, or alongside offshore platforms. Frequently used where rapid line handling and high tensile strength are critical.
Kidney Bollard 80t SWL
SWL 80t
· Deck Hardware
· kidney
Safe working load tonnes
80
Type
kidney
Material
cast_steel
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Surface wear from rope friction
- Foundation corrosion
- Paint wear
Service: Polish contact surfaces to prevent rope chafe; repaint annually.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Generic (Class Approved) oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- High strength-to-weight ratio due to cast steel construction
- Kidney shape accommodates multiple rope angles, enhancing mooring flexibility
- Suitable for heavy-duty applications with an 80-tonne SWL
- Can be used on a variety of vessel types for mooring operations
- Annual repainting and regular polishing of contact surfaces can extend its lifespan
Weaknesses
- Surface wear from rope friction can lead to maintenance needs
- Foundation corrosion is a potential issue if not properly installed or maintained
- Requires regular maintenance to prevent paint wear and ensure longevity
- May not be suitable for vessels requiring bollards with higher SWL
- Cast steel construction may be heavier than other materials
Typical Vessels:
TankerContainerBulk CarrierGeneral Cargo
Certifications:
DNV
Decision Guide: Choose if you need a durable, heavy-duty mooring bollard with a high SWL for a variety of vessel types. Avoid if you prioritize lightweight materials or require bollards with specialized features not offered by this model.
Use Cases: Typically deployed on the decks of commercial vessels for mooring operations in ports, harbors, and during cargo transfer. It's also useful in situations where the angle of the mooring line may vary.