Marine Air Bags-Ship Launching Air Bags & Slipway Winch Systems | GT Winch Group

Marine airbags, also known as ship launching airbags or marine rubber airbags, are innovative tools utilized in the maritime industry for launching and landing ships, lifting and moving heavy structures, and salvaging stranded vessels. Their versatility and cost-effectiveness have made them a popular choice for shipyards and marine contractors worldwide.GT Winch Group’s marine-grade air bags ensure safe, controlled ship launches. Paired with slipway winches for precision vessel deployment. ISO-certified, tear-resistant, high-load capacity.

GT Winch Ship Launching Airbags

Features Of Marine Rubber Air Bags

Marine airbags are meticulously constructed to withstand heavy loads and harsh marine environments. They typically consist of three primary components:

Outer Rubber Layer: This external layer protects the airbag from abrasion, weathering, and other external factors. It is crafted from a robust rubber compound with high tensile and tear strength to endure rigorous conditions.

Synthetic-Tire-Cord Layers: Serving as the reinforcement framework, these layers are made from heavy-duty synthetic-tire-cord fabric. The number of layers can vary, generally ranging from 4 to 12, depending on the required strength and application. These layers provide the airbag with its structural integrity and ability to bear substantial loads.

Inner Rubber Layer: The innermost layer ensures airtightness, preventing air leakage and maintaining internal pressure during operations.

The combination of these materials results in an airbag that is both flexible and durable, capable of withstanding significant stress during various marine operations.

Model	Marine airbags for ships
Lift Span	Up to 20 years
Layers	3-12 Layers
Dia Range	D0.8m-2.5m
Materials	Rubber layer, multilayer heavy-duty synthetic-tire-cord layers, and an inner rubber layer
Working Pressure	0.10MPa-0.24MPa

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air bags for heavy duty winch machines

air bag with Slipway winches

D1.5x20m airbag for ships

Recommended Configuration Table of Winch System

(For Slipway Winch Pairing)

Vessel Tonnage (DWT)	Air Bag Diameter	Quantity Required	Winch Capacity Recommendation
< 500	1.0 m	8-10	10-15 Ton Winch
500 – 3,000	1.5 m	12-15	20-50 Ton Winch
> 3,000	2.0 m+	18-25	50-100 Ton Winch

ship launching air bag and slipway winch system

Slipway Winches

What is a Slipway Winch Used For?

A slipway winch is essential for controlled ship launching and retrieval on inclined ramps. It works with marine air bags to safely move vessels (up to 10,000+ DWT) by:

Providing 3-15 m/min adjustable cable speed for precision
Handling dynamic loads during tidal changes or emergency stops
Syncing with pneumatic systems for low-friction operations

Slipway Winch Basic Parameters

Feature	Specification
Load Capacity	10-100 Tonnes
Motor Power	15-75 kW (AC/DC)
Cable Speed	3-15 m/min (Variable Frequency)
Cable Diameter	20-50 mm (Grade 1960 Steel)
Control System	PLC + Manual Override
Protection Rating	IP67 (Marine Environment)
Certifications	ISO 4301, DNV-GL, ABS

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Double Drum JM Model Electric Winch

standard electric pulling slipway winch

Heavy duty slipway winch

Key Specifications & Materials

✔️ Rugged Construction

Core material: 6-12 layered rubber-cored fabric (NR/SBR blend)
Reinforcement: High-tensile polyester cord (1,800-2,500 N/mm²)
Pressure rating: 0.08-0.15 MPa (customizable for slipway requirements)

✔️ Standard Sizes for Winch Compatibility

Diameter (m)	Length (m)	Recommended Vessel Tonnage
1.0	10-15	< 500 DWT
1.5	15-20	500-3,000 DWT
2.0+	20-30	> 3,000 DWT

(Custom sizing available for specialized slipway winch systems)

How Marine Air Bags Work with Slipway Winches

As a leading slipway winch manufacturer, GT Winch Machinery designs air bags to integrate with our winching systems perfectly:

Synchronized Launching
- Airbags reduce ground friction by 60-70%
- Winches provide precise 3-15 m/min controlled movement
Load Distribution
- Each airbag bears 50-300 tons (depending on size)
- Winch capacity matched to vessel weight
Safety Enhancement
- Air cushion absorbs sudden load shifts
- Winch brake systems coordinate with pressure sensors

Top 5 Industrial Applications of Air Bags

Newbuild Ship Launching
Dry Dock Retrieval Operations
Barge Transfer in Restricted Spaces
Emergency Vessel Refloating
Marine Salvage Projects

Why Choose GT Winch Machinery?

✅ Turnkey Solutions: Air bags + slipway winches + control systems
✅ 18-year OEM experience in marine launch equipment
✅ DNV-GL & ABS certified manufacturingTechnical Support:

Load calculation services
Winch-bag synchronization testing
On-site installation guidance

Parameter	Specification
Product Name	ISO 14409 Certified Marine Air Bag (Ship Launching Pneumatic Bag)
Model Series	GTAB-1000 / GTAB-1500 / GTAB-2000+ (Customizable)
Material Structure	Inner Layer: 6-12 Ply NR/SBR Rubber Composite Reinforcement: High-Tensile Polyester Cord (2,200 N/mm²) Surface: Anti-abrasion UV-resistant Coating
Key Dimensions	Standard Sizes: • Diameter: 1.0 m / 1.5 m / 2.0 m+ • Length: 10-30 m (Adjustable per Slipway Layout)
Pressure Capacity	• Working Pressure: 0.08-0.15 MPa • Burst Pressure: ≥0.30 MPa
Load Capacity	• 50-300 Tons/Bag (Varies by Size) • Max Slope Angle: 10°-15° with Slipway Winch
Operational Compatibility	• Designed for Slipway Winch Systems (3-15 m/min Cable Speed) • Temperature Range: -30°C to +60°C
Certifications	ISO 14409, DNV-GL, ABS, CCS

Other Optional Winch Accessories:

Customizable Solutions – Available in various load capacities, speeds, and configurations to meet specific industrial requirements.
High-Quality Manufacturing – Built with strict quality standards to ensure durability, reliability, and long service life.
Low Maintenance Requirements – Engineered for minimal maintenance, reducing downtime and operational costs.

Rope spooling device

industrial spooling device on winch equipment

Single or Double Winch Drum

Offshore Equipment

Please feel free to submit your inquiry using the form. We will reply in 8h.

OEM Supported

Email: info@gtwinch.com

Type of Winch-General Winch, Marine Winch, Mine Winch, or Other Type
Load Capacity-What is the maximum load (in tons or kilograms) the winch needs to handle?
Rope / Cable Type-What type of rope or cable will be used? (e.g., steel, synthetic)
Power Source-What type of power is required? (e.g., electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, manual)