Four Brothers Rope (FBR) participated in the inaugural Xinde Maritime Hamburg Forum on September 1, 2026, held in conjunction with SMM 2026 in Hamburg, Germany. FBR was invited to deliver a presentation, sharing its experience in high-performance synthetic ropes, maritime mooring, and rope lifecycle management with industry professionals from around the world.
With more than six decades of experience in synthetic fiber rope manufacturing, FBR has developed solutions for offshore mooring, vessel mooring, towing, heavy lifting, and other demanding maritime applications.
Rope Lifecycle Management: Safety, Compliance and Cost Control
At the forum, FBR presented its rope lifecycle management approach, which combines high-performance synthetic ropes with technical services and digital management tools.
The solution covers the rope lifecycle from selection and delivery through inspection, maintenance, traceability, and replacement planning. It is supported by FBR’s FIRM™ (FBR Integrated Rope Management) system and ID-Tag™ intelligent identification technology, creating an integrated framework for product management, service, digital records, and traceability.
By bringing rope data and operational records into a standardized management process, the system is designed to help customers improve operational safety, compliance management, and lifecycle cost control.
FIRM has also received principle-level approval from the China Classification Society (CCS).
Proven Performance in Large-Vessel Mooring Applications
FBR also shared long-term field experience from large-vessel mooring applications.
In 2008, FBR supplied synthetic fiber mooring ropes for a 300,000 DWT-class VLCC, demonstrating the use of synthetic fiber rope as an alternative to steel wire rope at the same nominal diameter. The ropes have remained in service for more than 17 years, providing long-term operational experience for synthetic fiber mooring applications on large vessels.
Today, FBR synthetic fiber ropes are used on more than one-third of the world’s 400,000 DWT-class VLOCs, with over five years of operational experience and no reported rope breakage, accidents, or unplanned downtime.
These long-term applications provide FBR with practical field data for rope selection, installation, inspection, and lifecycle management in large-vessel operations.
A Fleet of 20 VLOCs Selected FBR HMPE Mooring Ropes
BV Type Approval Ceremony Held at FBR’s Booth
A Type Approval ceremony for FBR’s deepwater mooring rope was also held at the FBR booth during SMM 2026. Bureau Veritas (BV) formally presented the Type Approval Certificate to Zhejiang Four Brothers Rope Co., Ltd. for its SINOROPE® Offshore Polyester Mooring Rope, recognizing the rope’s approved application for deepwater mooring.
The ceremony brought together representatives from BV and FBR at the exhibition, providing an opportunity to highlight FBR’s continued development of large-diameter synthetic mooring ropes for demanding offshore applications.
Supporting Safer and More Efficient Maritime Operations
FBR’s approach extends beyond rope manufacturing. By combining high-performance synthetic fiber ropes, application engineering, lifecycle services, and digital traceability, FBR aims to provide customers with a more complete approach to rope management.
The company will continue to develop synthetic rope technologies and digital management solutions while expanding cooperation with shipowners, shipyards, maritime service providers, and other industry partners worldwide.
FBR looks forward to working with global maritime partners to improve rope safety, operational efficiency, and lifecycle value.
