Chafe chains are critical protective components in marine mooring systems. Installed between the mooring line and the fairlead (guide hole), they effectively prevent the line from breaking due to repeated friction. Manufactured strictly according to OCIMF guidelines, these chains are suitable for tankers, FPSOs, buoys, and single-point mooring (SPM) operations.
Commonly Used Sizes
- R3 / R4 Chafe Chains are available in standard nominal diameters including 76mm, 84mm, 102mm, and other sizes upon request.
Level Descriptions
- R3 Level – Standard high-strength mooring chain, meeting routine mooring requirements, with excellent overall mechanical properties and fatigue life.
- R4 Level – Higher strength grade, with a higher breaking load than R3, suitable for deep-sea mooring, harsh sea conditions, and large floating bodies with high load requirements.
Compliant with Standards
- OCIMF Guidelines: 2018 Edition 1 / 2007 Edition 4 / 1993 Edition 3
- Manufacturing and Inspection: IACS W22
- Classification Society Certification Available (DNV, ABS, LR, CCS, etc.)
Product Configuration (OCIMF Type A / B)
A typical single chafe chain (approx. 9–10 meters in total length) consists of the following components:
- PL + E + EL + C (approx. 23–25 links) + EL +E
Component types and lengths can be customized according to customer requirements.
Supporting Products: the following mooring accessories are also available:
- Weak Links
- Kenter Shackles, Connecting Shackles
- Triangular Plates, Pear-Shaped Shackles
- Panama Fairleads, Smit Brackets
Selection Recommendations
- For standard mooring operations in normal waters – R3 level is sufficient and offers better economic benefits.
- For deep sea, harsh sea conditions, or high load requirements – R4 level is recommended for greater safety redundancy.
R3 / R4 Chafe Chains Diagram:

Specification of R3 / R4 OCIMF Chafe Chains:
| Nominal Dia. | D | d | d1 | S | E | W | Proof Load | Break Load | Weight |
| Anchor Chain (mm) | (mm) | (mm) | (mm) | (mm) | (mm) | (mm) | (KN) | (KN) | (kg) |
| 22 | 31 | 39 | 31 | 104 | 68 | 53 | 200 | 280 | 4.4 |