Towards Safer Mooring

Developed through years of research and development

Setting the benchmark for safer mooring

Mooring operations are inherently risky, posing significant challenges to maritime crews daily. From injuries during line handling and equipment failures to the unpredictability of harsh weather conditions, these tasks carry substantial dangers.

The consequences of mooring accidents can be severe—ranging from serious injuries and loss of life to extensive vessel damage and even environmental harm. With so much at stake, prioritizing safety and operational efficiency is not optional; it’s essential

At Wilhelmsen, we are redefining mooring solutions for the maritime industry. Our innovation-driven approach places safety at the heart of everything we do. Our mooring ropes are engineered to endure the harshest conditions while safeguarding your crew and preserving your assets.

Our mission is clear: to provide you with reliable, durable, and efficient solutions that simplify and enhance every mooring operation.

Whether you’re looking for durable mooring ropes, expert advice, or industry-leading insights, Wilhelmsen is your trusted partner in achieving safer, smarter, and more efficient mooring operations.

“Safety is not just a priority; it’s the foundation of every product and service we offer.”
Veronika Aspelund, Vice President Towing solutions

Key benefits

Safety

Our Timm Snap Back Arrestor (SBA™) is the world's first SBA rope to receive DNV's Certified Technology approval. It reduces dangerous snap back and provides the safest possible working conditions for your crew.
Proven performance

Developed through years of research and development and meticulously tested in real-life conditions. Our SBA™ ropes have been proven in operation and are trusted by thousands of vessels worldwide
Compliance

Our ropes are DNV type approved and meet OCIMF MEG4 and SIRE 2.0, RISQ 2.0, SOLAS, and Intertanko guidelines
Global availability

Access our high-quality ropes wherever your operations take you, thanks to our extensive network.
Technical support

Our team of experts is ready to assist you with expert advice and solutions for all your mooring needs.

Our Ropes are Approved by Class Societies

Proudly type approved by DNV for mooring ropes
Proudly approved by Class NK for mooring ropes
Proudly approved in Korean Register for mooring ropes

As a former Master Mariner, I understand the dangers posed by unreliable equipment onboard, having seen a few accidents taking place in my time at sea. We did not have safety features built into mooring ropes when we were sailing, so we had to rely only on mooring training and adoption of best practices, as risk mitigation. However, when I was introduced to Timm ropes with SBA (snapback) feature, it was an option that didn't require any second thoughts for my team and myself. Beyond the quality and reputation of the WSS brand, we saw this as an opportunity to add another layer of safety and reduction of risk for our mooring operations across the fleet.
Capt. Ninad S Mhatre, Managing Director Zeaborn Ship Mgt. (Singapore) Pte. Ltd

Designed to tackle the toughest maritime challenges

Our mooring solutions combine innovation, safety, and efficiency. From high-performance mooring ropes to user-friendly digital tools, we provide the right solution for your needs.

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Mooring ropes

Built to endure extreme conditions, our mooring ropes ensure superior strength, durability, and reliability.
- Discover the right mooring rope for your vessel
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Line Management Plan

Streamline your mooring operations with our advanced line management plan, designed to optimize rope usage, reduce wear, and improve operational efficiency.
- Explore our Line Management Plan
Smart Ropes Dashboard

Smart ropes

Take control with smart solutions, including sensors embedded in our mooring ropes to monitor load, wear, and real-time performance, ensuring proactive maintenance and crew safety.
- Learn more about Smart Ropes

Find the right mooring rope for your vessel’s needs.

Check our Product Catalogue

Expert Knowledge for Safer Mooring Operations

Explore our mooring Knowledge Hub

Insights

Why using unverified anti snap-back solutions can be a serious threat to safety in mooring operations

Substandard imitations of Wilhelmsen’s genuine SBA™ (Snap Back Arrestor) that lack third-party technology validation and do not perform as described should be avoided as part of safety management best practice.

Insights

Water absorption in polyamide tails can cause their weight to increase by 50%

Polyamide (nylon) ropes have a higher density compared to conventional ropes made of polypropylene or polyethylene and water absorption can cause significant variations in mass. We have conducted a study to examine the extent to which larger-sized nylon ropes can increase in weight and the typical duration required for a rope to dry after being immersed in water for a 24-hour period. Here are the findings.

Insights

Digital rope management with all-in-one LMP application

Our comprehensive and affordable Line Management Plan (LMP) application helps to optimize safety and make life easier for crews by providing a holistic overview of all ropes onboard and rope usage so that vessels always comply with the rules.

Insights

An overview of the regulations and guidelines governing mooring lines

We give a snapshot of the relevant regulatory framework governing the mooring process and mooring equipment (including ropes), and the key concepts they introduce. Find out the risks and pain points of non-compliance and how best to comply with regulations like the upcoming SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-8 by only using certified ropes that are fit for purpose, alongside an effective Line Management Plan (LMP).

Insights

Selecting the right rope - Why should you be looking at LDBF?

In the history of ship mooring, diameter has often been the only criterium in the selection of ropes. Today, it is still commonly used to compare mooring ropes, with common advice being that thicker ropes should be chosen for heavier vessels. The article examines how the measured diameter may differ from the value listed in product descriptions and why you should be looking at Line Design Break Force (LDBF).

Insights

Why not all anti snap-back rope solutions are equally engineered

Vessel mooring remains one of the most dangerous tasks crew and port workers can undertake. Ship operators need anti snap-back solutions that are tested and reliable to make the mooring operations safer for the ship crew. Our technical product manager and rope expert, Thomas Caradec addresses what shipowners should bear in mind when selecting the safest, most reliable and proven anti snap-back rope solution.

Differences in technology qualification for mooring ropes with Anti Snap-Back features

Differences in technology qualification for mooring ropes with Anti Snap-Back features

With various types of certificates associated with mooring ropes, navigating the differences between a statement of qualified technology and other certifications can be challenging. This article provides an overview of the main types of certificates and why you need to obtain them from the ropes supplier.

Insights

What lies behind the usability and longevity of a rope?

Shipowners are increasingly looking to mooring ropes made from high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) which offer the best strength to weight ratio in the market. Let's examine the important factors to consider when it comes to selecting high performance HMPE ropes.

Key aspects to consider when converting from steel wire to Acera ropes

Key aspects to consider when converting from steel wire to Acera ropes

Most rope suppliers now deliver HMPE (high modulus polyethylene) solutions. Because the market has become harder to navigate for customers, we asked our resident mooring ropes expert, Dag-Erik Delgado, to outline what customers should think about when transitioning from steel wires to our Timm Acera SBA™ HMPE ropes, as well as the value of retrofitting in the first place.

Insights

Why improper mooring tail selection compromises safety

“Choosing to buy a lower-strength, lighter mooring tail than the rope is a misguided strategy that can compromise the integrity of your entire mooring configuration and the safety of those tasked with handling the lines", says Mark Levis, Wilhelmsen Ships Service Technical Sales Manager (Chemicals & Ropes) for North America. Here he explains how to ensure your tail is fit for purpose from the outset in order to optimize the lifetime and safety performance of your mooring solution.

Insights

Changing the game in mooring ropes safety

Safety has always been the cornerstone of our mooring ropes - especially in volatile weather conditions in the marine environment. In a recent real-life situation, the effectiveness of our ropes with the Snap Back Arrestor (SBA) feature has prevented injuries for the crew onboard the Kassian Maritime's bulk carrier.

Insights

Lifespan of Ropes

Determining the exact lifespan of a rope can be difficult, as there are numerous factors that can influence how long a rope can be used on board a vessel. In this article, the factors that affect a rope's service life and actions you can take to prolong the rope's lifespan will be discussed.

Seeking universal mooring guidelines

Seeking universal mooring guidelines

Regulations would make safer mooring product choices mandatory, yet ropes are treated as a commodity today. Our expert, Veronika Aspelund, explains our vision for a safer mooring industry.

Replace Ringtails With Single Tails

Replace Ringtails With Single Tails

With new testing for the entire mooring system, Wilhelmsen Ships Service recommends replacing ringtails with single tails. This article aims to give you relevant information on the attributes of ringtails and single tails, and their performances on new tension tests designed for whole mooring systems.