What Are the Airbags Used for Ship Launching?

In the shipbuilding world, ship launching is one of the most critical steps before delivery.
For decades, shipyards in Europe and America have relied on traditional ship launching methods such as slipway launching, floating docks, and synchrolift systems.

However, in many Asian countries—especially China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East—ship launching airbags (also called marine airbags) have become a new, safe, and eco-friendly solution.
This method has been proven in thousands of real projects. It is simple, cost-effective, and protects the environment.
Therefore, more shipyards around the world are starting to explore this smart technology.

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1. Traditional Launching Methods and Their Problems

Traditional launching includes:

• Slipway launching — uses steel ramps and heavy structures.
• Floating dock launching — limited by water depth and high cost.
• Synchrolift systems — automatic but expensive and complex to maintain.

Although these methods are effective, they also create problems:

1. They depend heavily on terrain and water conditions.
2. They require long construction time and huge investment.
3. They can cause pollution.
4. They are not ideal for small or medium shipyards.
5. Slipway launching needs a large amount of lubricating oil on the ramp. This oil pollutes the water, and the friction from large ships can heat the oil until it burns, releasing a sharp and unpleasant smell.

In contrast, airbag launching eliminates the need for oil completely. It’s clean, safe, and easy to handle.

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2. What Are Ship Launching Airbags?

Ship launching airbags are strong rubber balloons used to lift and move ships into the water safely.
They are built with multiple layers of synthetic rubber and reinforced fabric. Usually, they are cylindrical, 10 to 25 meters long and 0.8 to 2 meters in diameter.

NANHAI can manufacture airbags from 3 to 33 meters long and 0.3 to 4 meters in diameter, suitable for various ship sizes and launching conditions.

Each airbag includes:

• A tough rubber body with several layers for strength;
• End fittings with air valves and seals;
• Protective mats to reduce surface friction;
• A control system to adjust air pressure.

Moreover, the design allows easy maintenance and long service life. Excellent products last longer and cost less to maintain.
After upgrading its rubber formula, NANHAI’s ship launching airbags now offer 100% better wear resistance, which means higher reliability and lower operation costs.

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3. How Airbag Launching Works

Airbag launching uses the power of rolling motion and air pressure transfer. The process is simple and controllable.

1. Prepare the ground — clean and level the launching area.
2. Place the airbags — position them evenly under the ship’s hull.
3. Inflate the airbags — fill them with air and check pressure.
4. Remove supports — let the airbags carry the ship’s full weight.
5. Roll and launch — control the air pressure so the ship slides gently into the water.
6. Deflate and collect — recover and store the airbags for reuse.

As a result, the entire process becomes smooth, predictable, and highly efficient.

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4. International Safety Standard — ISO 14409

To guarantee safety, the ISO 14409:2011 standard defines how ship launching airbags should be designed, manufactured, and tested.
It provides rules for:

• Material strength and layer bonding;
• Air-tightness and burst pressure;
• Design thickness and shape;
• Safety factors and test methods;
• Labeling and traceability.

Therefore, if an airbag meets ISO 14409, shipyards can trust it to perform safely and consistently.

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5. How Safe Is Airbag Launching?

Many shipyards in Europe and the U.S. still have safety concerns.
However, after more than 20 years of use in Asia, marine airbags have proven to be reliable in both small and large projects.

Multi-Layer Safety

Each project uses several airbags that share the load evenly.
If one fails, the others still hold the ship, keeping it stable.
Besides, operators can adjust air pressure in real time.

Strong and Durable Materials

Each airbag undergoes pressure, wear, and aging tests before delivery.
Because of this, NANHAI’s upgraded materials double the wear resistance compared to older designs.

Professional Design and Monitoring

Engineers calculate the correct number, size, and spacing of airbags for every project.
During launching, sensors and valves monitor air pressure, ensuring complete control.
In addition, operators receive safety training before the operation begins.

Therefore, the entire process is as safe as other modern ship launching methods, while being faster and cheaper.

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6. Why It’s More Economical and Eco-Friendly

Compared with traditional methods, ship launching using airbags reduces both cost and environmental impact.

Comparison	Traditional Launching	Airbag Launching
Construction cost	Very high	Very low
Setup time	Long	Short
Pollution	Oil leaks, smoke	None
Maintenance	Complex	Simple
Total cost	Expensive	30–60% cheaper

In addition, each airbag can be reused for 6–10 years, which greatly increases its economic value.

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7. Applications of Airbag Launching

Marine airbags can handle a wide range of vessels:

• Cargo ships and oil barges
• Tugboats and fishing boats
• Dredgers and workboats
• Ships in small and medium shipyards
• Temporary moves in dry docks

Besides, they can work together with other launching systems for very large ships, offering maximum safety.

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8. How to Choose a Reliable Supplier

When selecting ship launching airbags, always look for suppliers that:

1. Produce airbags under ISO 14409 standards;
2. Offer real test reports and engineering support;
3. Provide installation guidance and after-sales service.

NANHAI, for example, has more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing marine airbags.
We provide complete solutions for ship launching, floating projects, and marine engineering.

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9. Conclusion

Today, ship launching airbags represent a modern, proven solution for global shipyards.
They are safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly, with thousands of successful cases worldwide.

By following ISO 14409 and cooperating with trusted suppliers such as NANHAI, shipyards can launch ships smoothly without heavy infrastructure.

In conclusion, this method helps the marine industry move toward a cleaner, more flexible future.

Want to try ship launching using airbags?
Contact NANHAI today for expert advice and custom designs.

free consultation

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many times can a ship launching airbag be used?
A: A high-quality airbag can be reused 30–50 times, depending on size and maintenance.

Q2: Are ship launching airbags safe for large ships?
A: Yes. When designed correctly, airbags can safely launch ships up to 10,000 tons or more.

Q3: Do airbags need much maintenance?
A: Not really. Keep them clean, dry, and away from sharp objects, and they will last 6–10 years.

Q4: What makes NANHAI airbags different?
A: NANHAI uses upgraded rubber materials. Our airbags now have 100% better wear resistance, giving them longer life and lower maintenance costs.

Q5: What standard should I check before buying?
A: Always choose airbags made under ISO 14409:2011, which ensures safety and quality.