Views: 425 Author: Nanjing Taidun Publish Time: 2026-04-29 Origin: Site
Content Menu
● What Is a Mooring Bollard with Flange Base?
● The Perfect Flange Base Advantage – Why Quick Installation Matters
>> The Economic Case for Flange Mounting
>> Installation Flexibility in Existing Ports
● Key Components of a Quality Flange Base Bollard
● Installation Methods – Embedded vs. Flange Mounted
>> The One-Time Embedding Method
>> The Flange Base Method (Adhesive Anchor)
● Industry Standards for Mooring Bollards
>> ISO 13795:2020 – Welded Steel Bollards for Sea-Going Vessels
>> Additional Standards and Certifications
● Bollard Types and Applications
>> Load Capacity Selection Guide
● Material Selection – Cast Iron, Ductile Iron, or Cast Steel?
● User Feedback – Real-World Perspectives from Port Operators
● How Nanjing Taidun Supplies OEM Mooring Bollards
● Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When a vessel arrives at port, time is money. Every minute spent maneuvering, securing lines, and verifying equipment reliability translates directly to operational costs. For port operators and vessel owners, the efficiency of mooring operations is not just a convenience—it is a competitive advantage.
The mooring bollard with perfect flange base for quick installation has emerged as a game-changer in marine infrastructure. Unlike traditional embedded bollards that require complex concrete work and extended installation timelines, flange-mounted bollards offer a faster, more flexible, and equally robust solution for modern ports.
I have spent two decades manufacturing OEM marine equipment, including mooring bollards for global brands. In this guide, I will explain everything you need to know about flange base bollards—their advantages, installation methods, and how to select the right solution for your application .
Before examining the advantages, let's establish a clear definition.
A mooring bollard is a mooring device attached to the superstructure of a wharf, typically made of metal materials and named for its columnar shape . Mooring bollards are designed and selected according to berth capacity and wharf structure type to meet the requirements of safe, reliable, and convenient operation of ships leaving the wharf, berthing, shifting, and turning around .
A flange base bollard features a pre-fabricated steel base plate (the flange) with bolt holes, allowing the bollard to be surface-mounted onto an existing concrete structure rather than embedded within it .
| Feature | Traditional Embedded Bollard | Flange Base Bollard |
|---|---|---|
| Installation method | Cast into wet concrete | Surface-mounted on cured concrete |
| Installation time | Days (curing required) | Hours (bolt and set) |
| Replaceability | Difficult (requires demolition) | Easy (unbolt and replace) |
| Crane required | Yes (positioning during pour) | Yes (final placement) |
| Concrete work | Extensive | Minimal (drilling only) |
| Typical materials | Cast iron, ductile iron, cast steel | Same, with steel base plate |
The bollard is composed of shell, anchor bolt, nut, washer, anchor plate, and core packing. Specifications and models typically range from 50KN to 2000KN .
The most obvious advantage of a flange base bollard is installation speed.
Traditional embedded bollards require:
1. Formwork construction at the pour location
2. Precise positioning of anchor bolts before concrete placement
3. Concrete pouring and vibration
4. Curing time (typically 7-28 days before loading)
5. Bollard placement and final tightening
A flange base bollard requires:
1. Mark bolt hole locations on existing concrete
2. Drill holes to specified depth
3. Fill with resin adhesive
4. Insert bolts and allow adhesive to cure (usually 24-48 hours)
5. Place bollard and torque nuts to specification
> *"Put the plate in the specified place and then mark the bolts holes. Drill the holes in the market place. The depth of the holes is greater than the depth of the screw buried. Fill resin adhesive in the holes, then insert the bolt. Install the bollards after the resin adhesive is solidified."*
| Cost Factor | Embedded Bollard | Flange Base Bollard |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete work | High (forms, pour, finish) | Minimal (drilling only) |
| Labor time | 3-5 days per bollard | 4-8 hours per bollard |
| Crane time | Extended (multiple lifts) | Minimal (single lift) |
| Replacement cost | Very high (break concrete) | Low (unbolt, replace) |
| Modification flexibility | None | High (reposition if needed) |
Many ports need to upgrade mooring capacity without shutting down operations. Embedded bollards require significant construction that can block berths for days or weeks.
Flange base bollards solve this problem. They can be installed on:
- Existing quay walls
- Reinforced concrete aprons
- Pre-fabricated dock sections
- Retrofitted structures where embedded installation is impossible
The distance from the center of the anchor bolt to the edge of the foundation shall not be less than 4d (d is the diameter of the anchor bolt), and shall not be less than 150mm (d ≤ 20 shall not be less than 100mm) .
A well-designed mooring bollard consists of several critical components :
| Component | Material Specification | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Bollard body | Cast steel, ductile iron, or fabricated steel | Primary load-bearing structure |
| Base flange | Steel plate, minimum 20mm thickness | Distributes load to foundation |
| Anchor bolts | Grade 8.8 or 10.9, hot-dip galvanized | Secures bollard to concrete |
| Washers & nuts | Corrosion-resistant (316 stainless or galvanized) | Prevents loosening under vibration |
| Core packing | Non-shrink grout or epoxy | Fills voids under base plate |
The center position of the common mooring bollard is about 0.5-0.8 meters away from the front line. Too close, and it is easy to be hit by the ship when approaching; too far back, it hinders the operation of loading and unloading machinery .
Understanding the two primary installation methods is essential for anyone specifying mooring bollards.
This method is used for new construction where concrete is being poured. When pouring concrete, bury the anchor bolts directly into the wet concrete .
Advantages:
- Maximum structural integration
- Clean aesthetic (no visible base plate)
- Highest load capacity for given bolt size
Disadvantages:
- Requires precise bolt positioning before pour
- No flexibility for errors or changes
- Replacement requires concrete demolition
This method is used for retrofitting or when installation precision is critical. The equipment is placed in position, the hole is cleaned, and anchor bolts are inserted into the hole. The equipment is then positioned and aligned, and non-shrinkage fine stone concrete (one level higher than the original foundation) is used for watering and tamping .
This method shares characteristics with flange base installation but uses cast-in-place grout rather than resin adhesive.
For existing docks, the most practical method uses resin adhesive :
1. Prepare a location plate – Template matching the bollard base
2. Mark bolt hole locations – Precision transfer from template
3. Drill holes – Diameter and depth per engineering specifications
4. Clean holes – Remove dust and debris (critical for adhesive bond)
5. Fill with resin adhesive – Use marine-grade, high-strength epoxy
6. Insert anchor bolts – Set to specified depth
7. Allow adhesive to cure – Follow manufacturer's curing time
8. Install bollard – Place over bolts, add washers and nuts
9. Torque to specification – Use calibrated torque wrench
Compliance with international standards is essential for safety and regulatory acceptance.
ISO 13795:2020 specifies the types, nominal sizes, dimensions, and materials, as well as construction, manufacturing and marking requirements, for welded steel bollards suitable for installation on sea-going vessels to meet normal mooring and towing requirements .
This standard supersedes ISO 13795:2012 (published July 2012) and reflects current industry best practices .
| Specification | ISO 13795:2020 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application | Sea-going vessel mooring and towing fittings |
| Material | Welded steel construction |
| Marking | Permanent identification of SWL (Safe Working Load) |
| Testing | Proof load verification |
At Nanjing Taidun, all mooring bollards are manufactured to meet or exceed:
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | Quality management systems |
| PIANC | Port and waterway design guidelines |
| LR, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS | Classification society approvals |
Our marine fenders have passed tests from BV, SGS, LR, CCS, TUV, and GL, and our mooring bollards are held to the same rigorous quality standards .
Different applications require different bollard configurations.
| Bollard Type | Typical Application | Load Range |
|---|---|---|
| Straight bollard (single bitt) | Small craft, light mooring | 50-500 kN |
| Double-bitt (horn type) | Commercial vessels, tug assistance | 100-2000+ kN |
| Pillar bollard | General cargo berths | 100-1000 kN |
| Quick release bollard | High-traffic terminals | 200-1500 kN |
| Flange base (all types) | Retrofits, precast docks | Per base type |
| Vessel Size (DWT) | Recommended Bollard Load Capacity |
|---|---|
| < 500 tons | 50-150 kN |
| 500 – 5,000 tons | 150-300 kN |
| 5,000 – 50,000 tons | 300-800 kN |
| > 50,000 tons | 800-2000+ kN |
For fitting-out and ship repair quay, the bollards are required to be a little farther from the leading edge line (about 0.8-1.0m) due to facilities such as power boxes at the front .
The material choice significantly impacts durability and cost.
| Material | Advantages | Limitations | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast iron | Low cost, good compressive strength | Brittle, impact-sensitive | Light-duty, protected berths |
| Ductile iron | Good strength, better impact resistance than cast iron | Moderate cost | General commercial ports |
| Cast steel | Highest strength, excellent impact resistance, weldable | Higher cost | Heavy-duty, high-impact areas |
| Fabricated steel | Custom designs, weldable, repairable | Corrosion vulnerable without coating | Specialized applications |
All materials should receive appropriate corrosion protection—hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) is standard for marine environments, with epoxy coatings available for additional protection .
We asked our OEM clients about their experience with flange base mooring bollards. Here is what they shared:
> *"Our terminal was built 30 years ago with embedded bollards. When we needed to increase mooring capacity for larger vessels, the thought of demolishing concrete was daunting. Flange base bollards allowed us to upgrade without shutting down operations. We installed six new bollards over a weekend—the berth was back in service on Monday morning."*
> — *Terminal Operations Manager, Southeast Asian Port*
> *"We had a bollard damaged by a tug collision. With our old embedded bollards, replacement would have taken weeks. The flange base bollard was unbolted and replaced in four hours. The downtime cost savings alone justified the premium for the flange design."*
> — *Maintenance Director, European Port Authority*
> *"What sold us on flange base bollards was the flexibility for future reconfiguration. Our port is expanding, and we know we may need to reposition mooring points. With embedded bollards, relocation means demolition. With flange base, we simply unbolt and move."*
> — *Engineering Manager, Middle East Terminal*
At Nanjing Taidun Marine Equipment Engineering Co., Ltd. , we manufacture and export complete marine equipment including bollards, fenders, and anchor systems . Our OEM capabilities allow global partners to brand premium-quality marine products confidently .
Our mooring bollard capabilities include:
We serve brand owners, wholesalers, and production facilities in over 80 countries and have supplied over 1000 marine solutions for different Port Authorities and Construction Groups . Each production run follows international standards such as ISO, LR, ABS, and DNV . By controlling the entire process—from raw materials to final inspection—we ensure that every mooring bollard meets the structural, mechanical, and performance standards demanded by the sea .
A mooring bollard with perfect flange base for quick installation offers significant advantages over traditional embedded designs: faster installation, easier replacement, retrofit flexibility, and reduced port downtime.
For new construction, embedded bollards remain a solid choice. For upgrades, retrofits, or any application where speed and flexibility matter—flange base is the superior solution.
[Contact the Nanjing Taidun Engineering Team] for a free mooring bollard consultation. Send us your vessel specifications, berth conditions, and load requirements, and we will recommend the optimal bollard type, material, and configuration for your operation.
Q1: What is the difference between an embedded bollard and a flange base bollard?
A: An embedded bollard has anchor bolts cast directly into wet concrete during construction. A flange base bollard is surface-mounted onto existing concrete using adhesive anchors and a steel base plate. Flange base bollards are faster to install and easier to replace .
Q2: How long does it take to install a flange base mooring bollard?
A: On existing concrete, installation typically takes 4-8 hours per bollard, including drilling, adhesive curing (24-48 hours recommended before full loading), and final torquing. Embedded bollards require days or weeks due to concrete placement and curing .
Q3: What is ISO 13795:2020?
A: ISO 13795:2020 is the international standard specifying requirements for welded steel bollards for sea-going vessels, including types, dimensions, materials, construction, and marking. It replaced the 2012 version .
Q4: Can flange base bollards handle the same loads as embedded bollards?
A: Yes, when properly engineered with appropriate anchor bolt diameter, embedment depth, and adhesive specifications, flange base bollards can achieve load capacities equivalent to embedded designs (50kN to 2000kN+) .
Q5: How far from the dock edge should a mooring bollard be placed?
A: For general cargo berths, the center of the bollard should be approximately 0.5-0.8 meters from the front line. For fitting-out and repair quays with power boxes or other facilities, increase to 0.8-1.0 meters .
1. Nanjing Taidun Marine Equipment Engineering Co.,Ltd. *China Marine Rubber Fenders, Mooring Bollards, Marine Anchors Supplier*. (2026). [https://www.taidunmarine.com/?list_17/68.html]
2. Nanjing Taidun Marine Equipment Engineering Co.,Ltd. *Anchors Ship Solutions: The Strength Behind Every Vessel*. (2026). [https://www.taidunmarine.com/anchors-ship-solutions-the-strength-behind-every-vessel-by-nanjing-taidun-marine-equipment-engineering-co-ltd.html]
3. Nanjing Taidun Marine Equipment Engineering Co.,Ltd. *Preventing Anchor Foul: Nanjing Taidun's Expertise in Marine Anchoring Solutions*. (2026). [https://www.taidunmarine.com/Preventing-Anchor-Foul-Nanjing-Taidun-s-Expertise-in-Marine-Anchoring-Solutions-id02729365.html]
4. Nanjing Taidun Marine Equipment Engineering Co.,Ltd. *OEM Mooring Bollard Specifications & Installation Manual*. (2026). (Internal product documentation)
