Application of Double-Chamber Airbags as Ship Fenders in Ship Collision Scenarios

Ship-to-ship impacts can lead to serious outcomes such as environmental contamination, cargo and economic losses, and risks to crew safety. The steady growth of maritime traffic has amplified the likelihood of such incidents, emphasizing the necessity of more reliable mitigation technologies. Conventional protective systems are often inadequate for present-day demands, underscoring the need for improved energy-absorbing solutions. In this study, a double-chamber airbag is developed to strengthen the lateral crash resistance of vessels, particularly under deliberate collision conditions. The model is analyzed using finite element simulations, which are further verified through experimental comparison to ensure computational accuracy. The proposed configuration is benchmarked against a single-chamber airbag, and the findings reveal its superior capability in attenuating impact forces. Parametric analyses under varying velocities and impact angles confirm that the new design offers stable crashworthiness and effectively redistributes collision energy. At low speeds, it reduces local deformation, while under high-energy or oblique impacts, it cushions the structure and prevents severe hull damage. The observed trends demonstrate the potential of the double-chamber concept for future ship protection applications in complex operational environments.