Ship Launching Rubber Airbag

About product

Marine Rubber Launching Airbags are specialized heavy-duty lifting and transportation equipment, made from high-strength rubber and reinforced cord layers. Designed specifically for ship launching and docking, caisson transportation, and various offshore engineering applications, these airbags offer a safe, efficient, and reusable alternative to traditional slipway launching methods.

Structural Features:

  • The body is reinforced with multiple layers of high-tensile nylon cord fabric, which offers excellent tensile strength and flexibility.
  • The outer rubber layer is made of abrasion-resistant and aging-resistant natural or synthetic rubber, ensuring long-term durability in marine environments.
  • Manufactured using an integrated winding and high-temperature vulcanization process, the airbag forms a seamless structure that ensures uniform stress distribution and minimizes the risk of bulging or rupture.
  • When inflated, internal pressure reaches 34–39 kPa, forming an elastic support system capable of bearing large loads.
  • With a low rolling friction coefficient (approximately 0.008–0.01), the airbags facilitate smooth and controlled vessel movement during launching or docking.
  • Available in a wide range of sizes and specifications, and fully customizable based on vessel tonnage, hull structure, and project requirements.

Product Detail

Marine Rubber Airbags for Sale

Marine rubber airbags manufactured by Zava Marine are high-performance products developed through years of technological innovation and practical application. They are now widely used in various marine and shipbuilding operations, including ship launching and docking, stranded vessel refloating, heavy object lifting and relocation, caisson transport, and offshore platform module transfer.

With over 10 years of development and field experience, Zava Marine has continuously optimized the structural design and material formulation of its airbags. The products now feature excellent pressure resistance, fatigue strength, wear resistance, and extended service life—placing them at the forefront of the industry. Due to their outstanding performance and adaptability, these airbags have become a preferred alternative to traditional slipway and rail-based launching methods.

Our marine airbag for ship launching consist of three main components:

  1. Airbag Body (cylindrical working section): Provides the main load-bearing and rolling function.
  2. Airbag Head (hemispherical or conical ends): Enhances sealing and pressure resistance.
  3. End Fittings (such as inflation valve and towing rings): Enable fast inflation, deflation, and easy handling.

Marine Airbag launching Performance Advantages

Exceptional Load Capacity

  • A single airbag can withstand up to 8,700 tons, with a safety factor of the working pressure.
  • Capable of launching vessels up to 50,000 DWT.
  • Airbags are available in different strength grades with 3 to 6 layers of reinforced nylon cord fabric (SS-3 to SS-6), meeting the load requirements of various vessel sizes.

Economical and Efficient

  • Compared to traditional slipway methods, this system reduces infrastructure costs by up to 90%.
  • The launch cycle for a 1,000-ton vessel can be shortened to just 2–3 days.
  • Suitable for various ground conditions including sand, gravel, and silt, requiring only a 2° slope to ensure both sliding force and launch stability.

Reliable Safety Assurance

  • Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), the airbag’s nonlinear stiffness is precisely calculated to ensure the hull contact pressure remains below 0.12 MPa (validated by case studies such as a 43.9-meter fishing vessel).
  • The system features dual-layer support rods and rubber buffer pads, effectively controlling localized pressure within 2 MPa, reducing the risk of hull damage during the launch.

Specifications of Ship Launching Rubber Airbag

Diameter

0.8m,1.0m,1.2m,1.5m,1.8m,2.0m,2.5m

Effective Length

Ranges from 5 meters to 25 meters

Overall length

Ranges from 7 meters to 28 meters

Layer of cord fabrics

4layer,5layer,6layer,7layer, 8layer,9layer, 10layer...and more

Note:

Special sizes can be customized

Common Airbags Inner Pressure Reference Table

Diameter(m)

Mid Pressure (4-5layer)

High Pressure (6-8layer)

TP(Mpa)

WP(Mpa)

TP(Mpa)

WP(Mpa)

1.0

0.14~0.16

0.12~0.14

0.22~0.26

0.20~0.24

1.2

0.12~0.14

0.10~0.12

0.20~0.24

0.17~0.22

1.5

0.10~0.12

0.08~0.10

0.15~0.2

0.13~0.18

1.8

0.08~0.10

0.07~0.09

0.13~0.16

0.11~0.14

2.0

0.07~0.09

0.06~0.08

0.12~0.15

0.10~0.13

Obtain Best Marine Parts & Accessories
Know Who We Are

About our company

Zava Marine Corporation is a leading supplier of marine parts and components. With a strong focus on quality and customer satisfaction, we specialize in providing a comprehensive range of high-quality marine equipment and accessories. Our products include deck equipment, ship accessories, and various other essential components needed for smooth maritime operations.

With a global presence, we serve a diverse customer base, including shipbuilders, shipowners, offshore operators, and marine equipment distributors. We are committed to providing exceptional service and tailored solutions to meet our customers’ unique needs.

FAQ

Zava Marine offers a comprehensive range of certifications for marine parts in accordance with international standards and regulations. These certifications include those provided by renowned marine classification societies such as Lloyd’s Register (LR), Bureau Veritas (BV), China Classification Society (CCS), Registro Italiano Navale (RINA), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK), and Det Norske Veritas – Germanischer Lloyd (DNV-GL). By collaborating with these esteemed societies, Zava Marine ensures that our certified marine parts meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and performance, instilling confidence in our reliability and compliance within the maritime industry.

The warranty provided by Zava Marine covers defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two years from the date of purchase. During this warranty period, if any marine parts purchased from Zava Marine exhibit issues or failures resulting from manufacturing defects or faulty materials, Zava Marine will take responsibility for repair or replacement of the affected parts. 

Zava Marine has recently opened new molds for European and North American clients, utilizing materials such as metal, ABS, PVC, and more. These successful mold opening projects allow us to provide customized marine parts and components that meet the specific requirements of our clients in these regions.

Typically, Zava Marine can ship samples within 7 days once the product drawing has been mutually confirmed by both parties. This efficient process ensures that customers can receive samples promptly, allowing them to assess the quality and suitability of the products.

Zava Marine frequently utilizes a wide range of materials in our projects. These materials include aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, plastics, titanium, and PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone). Each material offers unique properties and characteristics suitable for various marine applications. 

Yes, we provide customization services for marine parts. We understand that every project and application may have unique requirements, and we are committed to delivering tailored solutions. By collaborating closely with our clients, we can adapt our products to specific specifications, ensuring optimal fit, performance, and compatibility. Whether it’s modifying existing designs or creating entirely new parts, our customization services cater to the diverse needs of the maritime industry.

Absolutely! We offer product design and development services to support our clients’ needs. Our experienced team of engineers and designers can collaborate with clients from concept development to final product realization. By leveraging our expertise in marine engineering and design, we can provide valuable insights and innovative solutions. Whether it’s optimizing existing designs or creating entirely new products, we are equipped to assist clients in bringing their ideas to life efficiently and effectively.

Let's have a chat

Ask for a quote

Zava Marine