Boluda Towage Rotterdam has upgraded the fender systems on three ASD tugboats using a rapid on-site replacement service developed by Bencros.

The project addressed a common fleet maintenance issue: missing or outdated vessel drawings. Without reliable drawings, replacement fenders can fail to fit correctly, creating the risk of re-welding mounting systems, structural adjustments, higher costs and extended downtime.

Bencros measured the fender mounting arrangements directly on board during drydock. For one tug, measurements were carried out manually by specialist fender engineer Jakub Bartoň. A second workboat, which had not originally been designed for proper marine fenders, required 3D scanning to create an accurate digital model and CAD drawing for a suitable fender configuration.

The third tug required a long replacement fender that could not be transported by a standard truck. Bencros proposed a three-part fender system that could be joined seamlessly, reducing transport complexity while maintaining full functionality.

Following the measurements, Bencros produced the fenders in three days and delivered the custom-fit fenders within a further four days from its factory in Bošany, Slovakia. The approach avoided modifications to the vessel mounting structures and helped reduce operational downtime.

The project also included a circular element. Old fenders were removed, returned and recycled, with recovered rubber reused in Bencros production.

Boluda Towage Rotterdam said the service helped avoid the risk of ordering replacement systems that would later require new mounting structures. The company also noted that the recycling element supported Boluda’s Net Zero Target.

For Bencros, the project marks a shift from standard fender supply toward a service-driven model based on on-site assessment, tailored engineering, fast production and material reuse.