1. The Reality: "Kerb" is a Road Infrastructure Term
Rubber kerb" (or "rubber curb") refers exclusively to a land-based traffic management system made of extruded EPDM rubber. It is bolted to asphalt/concrete roads to:
Define parking spaces
Protect sidewalks from vehicle encroachment
Channel stormwater in urban areas
Provide flexible barriers for cycling races or parades.
![road kerb]()
2. Why "Rubber Kerb" Causes Catastrophic Failures in Ports
| ROAD RUBBER KERB | MARINE WHEEL FENDER |
Impact Resistance: Absorbs ≤5 kJ (car bumpers) | Impact Resistance: Absorbs 200–5,000+ kJ (tanker berthing) |
Material: White EPDM rubber (degrades in saltwater) | Material: Black UHMWPE-faced rubber (oil/saltwater resistant) |
Foundation: Bolted to asphalt (soft, unstable) | Foundation: Anchored to marine concrete (min. C40/50 strength) |
Failure Mode: Shatters under >3-ton loads | Failure Mode: Elastomeric deformation (50,000+ cycles) |
![rubber kerb]()
The rubber kerb is not a standalone "system"—it’s the smart, engineered component of a larger marine safety ecosystem (working alongside fenders, bollards, and lighting). Its genius lies in simplicity: transforming a rigid, vulnerable concrete edge into a forgiving, resilient interface between steel and sea.
For ports prioritizing zero-incident operations, it’s not just a "kerb"—it’s the first line of defense in the relentless dance of ship and shore.
