An un-fender-gettable partnership

With a history of conducting ship-to-ship (STS) operations since the early 1980s, STS Marine Solutions possesses more than theoretical knowledge; it has cultivated an instinctive, evidence-based understanding of fender performance.

“Specs on paper are one thing, but what truly matters is how fenders behave in the field, over time, under pressure,” says Scott Jago, Technical Solutions Manager at STS Marine Solutions.

Insights from the Field
This deep operational experience provides insights that data sheets alone cannot offer. Jago points to material longevity as a key example. “Material longevity becomes obvious after seeing how different rubber compounds hold up to UV, ozone and saltwater,” he says. “We’ve learned to recognize signs of durability you can’t glean from datasheets, such as resistance to cracking, hardening or blistering. It’s about how resilient rubber feels and looks after years, not months.”

Similarly, construction integrity reveals itself through seam performance, valve reliability and internal ply behavior over extended use. “We know which visual cues suggest potential failures and which design features reliably survive across operating environments,” Jago adds. Long-term use also exposes wear patterns that guide fender selection based on specific hull types and operational intensity. In extreme conditions—sudden impacts, prolonged compression or high-energy berthing—some fenders maintain their integrity while others fail.

“We’ve learned which suppliers stand behind their products,” continues Jago. “Supplier reliability is about more than the product; it’s about technical support, warranty responsiveness, reliable after-sales service and honest engineering. This accumulated insight has led us to consistently select Trelleborg as our trusted fender supplier.”

The Challenge of Global Maintenance
Managing several hundred assets across 24 bases worldwide presents a significant logistical challenge. All equipment must be maintained in suitable condition for immediate deployment, which demands considerable care and attention. The more "maintenance-free" equipment becomes, the greater the positive impact on the overall workload. STS Marine Solutions continuously works to fine-tune its quality standards and maintenance procedures to maximize equipment lifespans.

“Fender chain quality exemplifies this,” Jago explains. “Poor quality chains stretch easily, wear quickly and corrode sooner, leading to early maintenance requirements. Good quality chains, controlled through careful specifications including strength testing, material choice and galvanization depth, last substantially longer and reduce technician workload while preventing unexpected revenue losses.”

A Partnership Built on Innovation
The partnership between STS Marine Solutions and Trelleborg has grown through excellent communication and a shared commitment to progress. “Trelleborg listens, and that makes all the difference,” Jago says. “We’ve had many conversations where a passing comment led to genuine innovation. Based on our experience, we suggest possibilities for reducing fender maintenance. Not long after, Trelleborg responds with a solution. It's this kind of responsiveness that gives us great confidence in Trelleborg’s products and people.”

Jago emphasizes that the durability of Trelleborg’s fenders is among the best his company has found, making them its chosen pneumatic fender provider. “We operate 15-year-old fenders across all environment ranges, and with proper maintenance and storage, we experience no durability issues. Few fenders on the market offer the level of durability that Trelleborg fenders do.”

Unmatched Service and Support
Together, Trelleborg and STS Marine Solutions offer an unmatched service combining Trelleborg's high-quality fenders with STS’s ongoing after-sales support. This synergy delivers unparalleled inspection and maintenance programs that maximize fender performance, longevity and cost efficiency.

“Trelleborg's expertise in fender design, material science and OEM specifications provides our technicians with precise technical data, wear thresholds and failure modes unique to each model,” Jago states. “This collaboration enables tailored inspections that meet Trelleborg's exacting standards, using diagnostic tools and certified parts. Real-time access to engineering insights allows for accurate maintenance prediction and optimized scheduling.” This approach enhances operational safety, ensures warranty compliance and minimizes downtime.

Future Horizons
Interesting times lie ahead for STS Marine Solutions. “We hope to establish more centralized European fender stock, improving lead times and availability, with dedicated service departments for local client support,” Jago outlines. “Together with Trelleborg, we're working on emerging markets and targeted marketing campaigns to bring our services to the industry forefront.”

The partnership is also focused on sustainability. “We hope STS can introduce innovative full-fender lifecycle services where clients can enlist cradle-to-grave support,” concludes Jago. “This considers the environmental impact more closely, ensuring companies' environmental KPIs aren't impacted by landfill disposal of end-of-life fenders and components.”

Writer: Jyothi Venugopal 
Images: Trelleborg