Uses of rubber in the marine industry

From transporting passengers and goods, and building boats, yachts and ships to ensuring supporting infrastructure at ports is secure and ready for operation, the marine industry covers a range of critical areas.

The UK marine and maritime sector employs around 185,000 to 200,000 people directly in core roles, with this number rising to over 1.1 million when indirect and induced jobs are included.

The industry also includes leisure marine, with leisure boatbuilding, superyacht and marine services sector generating billions in revenue and several thousands of specialised jobs. Offshore and wind energy is also heavily linked to the marine sector, with over a third of UK energy coming from renewable sources and vessels and marine infrastructure absolutely vital to ensure this sector remains operational.

The global marine and shipping sector moves over 80% of globally traded goods by volume. It serves as the backbone of the world economy.

Marine rubber, including rubber for boats, ships, yachts and infrastructure, is essential because it provides critical watertight seals, absorbs severe vibrations and withstands harsh saltwater environments. This ensures consistent operations and enhanced safety for workers, passengers and other users.

Aquaseal are expert rubber manufacturers UK and global businesses choose to support their critical marine operations. We manufacture a range of bespoke rubber solutions in-house to support various marine applications, with recent projects including manufacturing a custom seal for a luxury yacht in the USA, a rubber ladder for local marina and replacement rubber seals for dredger ships in Russia.

This guide will highlight what the marine industry is, where rubber is used across boats, ships, yachts and infrastructure, what materials are most suited to the sector and the best ways to maintain marine rubber.

What is the marine industry?

The UK marine industry is a vast economic and industrial sector that covers shipping, ports, marine engineering, professional services, naval defence and leisure boating.

According to Maritime UK, the UK marine and maritime industry contributes over £116 billion to the economy and is responsible for facilitating 95% of UK global trade, making more than £500 billion in goods per year. The industry contributes more to the UK economy than both rail and aerospace combined.

Typical marine rubber materials include EPDM, nitrile, neoprene and natural rubber because they boast key properties such as excellent resistance to water and weather conditions, and oils, fuels and hydraulic fluids, whilst also offering flexibility and elasticity.

In the UK, notable marine companies include BP Shipping, which transports crude oil, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, and P&O Ferries, used by passengers and their personal vehicles across the UK and into Europe. Another key company is Balaena, formerly A&P Group, a leading ship repair, conversion and marine engineering company, with facilities at Balaena Tyne, located close to the Aquaseal Rubber factory. This location acts as a primary hub for defence, ferries, tankers and offshore wind projects. At Aquaseal, we support these key companies with bespoke rubber solutions to support their operations.

Where is rubber used in the marine industry?

Rubber products in the marine industry are crucial because they provide sealing solutions, shock absorption and flexibility, while boating properties that make them ideal for use in extreme weather conditions.

The marine industry can be demanding because it combines extreme physical isolation with heavy labour and often, severe workforce shortages. Rapid technological change also means the industry is constantly changing, meaning the key rubber materials used in varying applications must be suitable for use.

Therefore, choosing the right marine rubber is critical for a range of vessels and supporting infrastructure.

Rubber for boats

Rubber for boats is used in many small vessels, like rigid inflatable boats, fishing and workboats, dinghies and small recreational boats.

Neoprene is used for rubber seals and gaskets that require weather protection whilst preventing water ingress around key fittings and access points, whilst EPDM is used across numerous applications because of its resistance to UV radiation, ozone, saltwater and extreme temperatures. Nitrile is used where components encounter oil and fuel.

Rubber for ships

Rubber is used in cargo and container ships, tankers, ferries and passenger ships and offshore support vessels.

In these environments, the slightest leak, contamination or equipment failure could be catastrophic, so a range of rubber materials are used for safety and comfort of passengers. Nitrile is found in watertight rubber hatch packing seals for vessels used to transport fuels, chemicals and other hazardous substances. EPDM is used to ensure comfort for passengers, used in door and window seals to resist moisture, UV and ozone.

Rubber for yachts

Yachts include motor yachts, sailing yachts and larger, specialist yachts, with rubber used to prevent water ingress when the vessel is on the move, as well as vulnerable areas when docking.

Yacht seals are crucial to keep water out and prevent critical onboard systems. They can be made from EPDM for window, hatch and door seals, neoprene for seals at flexible joints and nitrile for fuel system seals and o-rings. Natural rubber is also used in yachts for bumpers, mounts and anti-vibration components to absorb impact when docking and reduce vibrations from engine systems during operation.

Our expert rubber manufacturers UK can help with maintaining and extending the lifespan of your yacht’s watertight seals.

Rubber for marine infrastructure

Marine rubber is also found in key infrastructure, like ports, quaysides and offshore structures, because they are continually exposed to water, salt, UV radiation, changing temperatures and mechanical forces. This means resistant materials are essential.

Rubber D fenders enhance marine safety by protecting docking facilities. Often made from natural rubber for elasticity and EPDM for waterproofing, they absorb and distribute the energy of any impact. Neoprene is used in quayside environments because of its ageing and mechanical resistance. In the offshore and wind energy industry, nitrile and HNBR are used in demanding applications that are exposed to heat, chemicals, ozone and mechanical wear.

What rubber materials are used in the marine industry?

Different types of rubber materials are used in the marine industry because they offer various properties, but typical properties of marine rubber include resistance to water, ozone and fuels.

From providing water tight seal solutions for marine vessels to protecting key infrastructure, typical rubber materials used in the marine industry include:

• EPDM: with excellent resistance to water, saltwater, UV exposure, ozone and weathering, EPDM is suitable for prolonged outdoor and marine conditions, used in seals, gaskets and other components exposed to moisture.
• Nitrile: because of its strong resistance to oils, fuels and hydraulic fluids, nitrile is used in machinery and components that may encounter petroleum-based fluids or be at risk of abrasion or wear.
• Neoprene: by combining resistance to water, weather, oils and chemicals with flexibility and durability, neoprene is suitable for seals, gaskets, hoses and protective components.
• Natural rubber: providing excellent elasticity, flexibility and abrasion resistance, natural rubber is effective for marine components that experience repeated movement, impact or wear.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we are proud to provide clients across the world with the rubber solutions they need for their applications in several industries. Our marine rubber components are manufactured to meet your precise measurements and requirements to ensure your applications excel in any situation.

What are the best ways to maintain marine rubber?

No matter what type of rubber materials your marine vessels or infrastructure are made from, it is critical to maintain them effectively to extend service life and ensure safe operations.

Rubber for boats, ships, yachts and infrastructure should be maintained by:

• Rinsing components regularly: wash rubber with fresh water to remove salt, sand, dirt and other contaminants, since salt deposits can contribute to surface wear and trapped debris can cause abrasion over time.
• Protecting from UV exposure: prolonged exposure to sunlight causes rubber to deteriorate, so store vessels and removable rubber components out of direct sunlight or use suitable UV-resistant covers and protectants.
• Inspecting components for damage: regularly check hoses, seals, gaskets, mounts and other rubber components for cracking, cuts, hardening, deformation, abrasion or other signs of deterioration to prevent failure.
• Replacing worn or damaged rubber promptly: maintenance should include replacing components once they show signs of significant deterioration, instead of continuing to use them. This is critical for watertight seals and hoses where failure could affect operations.

As rubber manufacturers UK and global businesses choose to manufacture marine rubber for their bespoke applications, Aquaseal Rubber can provide these solutions while providing tailored advice on maintaining your rubber products.

Aquaseal can support your marine rubber applications

At Aquaseal Rubber, we understand the importance of ensuring your marine rubber meets all requirements and safety regulations to ensure operations are effective and safe.

Whether you require a water tight seal, including yacht seals, to prevent water ingress, or if you are looking for rubber to protect infrastructure from shock and vibrations, our team is here to help.

Contact us to discuss your requirements and see how bespoke marine rubber can enhance your project.