A ship's fender is a device, usually made of rubber, plastic or metal, used to protect a ship and a dock or other building, surrounding a ship's berthing area or port terminal. Ship fender has the following roles and functions:

1. Protect ship and dock safety: Ship fenders can provide a buffer area, when the ship is close to the dock, they can prevent the ship from direct contact with the dock, thereby reducing the damage caused by collision. They absorb the force of a crash, reduce damage to ships and docks, and protect port facilities from damage.

2. Protect the safety of personnel: the ship fender can also protect the safety of staff and other personnel on the dock. When the ship is near the dock, personnel may need to work on the dock, and the ship fender can play a role of isolation to prevent personnel from being hit by the ship or falling into the water.

3. Reduce ship oscillation: The presence of ship fender can reduce the oscillation of the ship during berthing. When the ship is moored in the dock, due to the influence of waves, wind and other factors, the ship may have a violent swaying, and the ship fender can reduce this swaying degree and maintain the stability of the ship.

4. Provide guidance and guidance: the ship fender can provide a clear mark to help the ship driver dock correctly at the designated position and avoid deviation or wrong position during the ship's docking. In large ports, ship fenders can also be used to mark the docking area of the ship, making the ship berthing orderly and avoiding congestion and chaos.

5. Storage and load handling facilities: Some ship fenders can also be used as storage and load handling facilities for cargo handling and handling while the ship is in berth. These fenders can have different designs and functions to accommodate different types and sizes of ships, as well as different types of cargo handling requirements.

6. Provide a comfortable environment: Some modern ship fenders have an environmentally friendly design to provide a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing berth environment. These fenders are usually made of soft materials to reduce friction and noise on the ship and dock, while also providing a comfortable environment for the crew and dock staff.

7. Protect the water environment: the ship fender can also be used to protect the water environment to prevent the ship's fuel oil and other pollutants from leaking into the water. The fender can act as an isolation, confining the substances that may leak to the area between the ship and the dock for prompt treatment and cleanup.

In short, ship fenders play an important role in the shipping industry and port management. They not only protect the safety of ships and terminals, but also improve the efficiency of terminals and the ease of ship operation. By reducing ship oscillations, providing guidance and guidance, and providing storage and handling facilities, ship fenders provide a safer, more comfortable and sustainable working environment for crew, dock staff and the environment.