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FRP Camels

With camels providing the stand-off distance between vessels and piers, the use of FRP composite materials for the camel structures takes advantage of the big benefits of FRP composite materials: corrosion resistance and design flexibility.

KB3 camel at pier

Camels are typically used in sets of two and float in different types of water for the entire useful life. For steel and wood camels that meant the owners had to remove the camels every two years for maintenance. This constant operational cost is a drain of tight fiscal budgets and the impetus for customers such as the US Navy, US Coast Guard, and commercial ports to implement FRP composite camels. The design life for the FRP composite camels is 25 years without maintenance.

COMPOSITE CAMELS ARE ROBUST AND COME IN A VARIETY OF SIZES

Camels are designed to handle a wide range of berthing loads from vessels. The size ensures that the pier piles are not overloaded during berthing. The top surface has a non-slip overlay for personnel safety. The natural buoyancy of the FRP panels allows for robust flotation of the structure.

camel undergoing surface load testing

FRP CAMEL OFFERINGS INCLUDE:
  • Ship-To-Shore Camels — Used in commercial ports, these basic camels can be supplied in any size.
  • Floating Log Camels — These cylinders are used with small and medium vessels to spread the berthing loads across pier piles.
  • Submarine Camels — Developed for the US Navy in 2009, these universal camels accommodate any class of submarine.
  • Aircraft Carrier Camels — With the high strength of steel, these large camels handle high berthing loads.

CCG offers standard camels designs, with custom solutions available to address any ship loading and pier configuration. The Design & Build expertise of Creative Composites Group can provide the optimum solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • To engineer a camel that performs safely and efficiently, we typically need:

      • Vessel type (barge, tug, submarine, CVN, etc.)
      • Vessel displacement and draft
      • Hull geometry or curvature
      • Berthing energy requirements
      • Tidal range and water depth
      • Required standoff distance
      • Mooring line arrangement
      • Environmental loads (waves, currents, ice, debris)
      • Operational requirements (maintenance, fueling, loading, etc.)

    For Navy projects, we also follow MIL‑STD and NAVFAC design criteria.

  • These values determine:

      • Buoyancy requirements
      • Camel freeboard
      • Contact area
      • Load distribution
      • Required structural stiffness

    Submarine and CVN camels especially require precise buoyancy control.

  • Hull curvature determines:

      • Contact pad geometry
      • Load distribution
      • Camel alignment
      • Required fendering materials

    Submarine hulls have complex curvature, and CVN hulls require large, stable contact surfaces.

  • Tidal range determines:

      • Required freeboard
      • Vertical travel
      • Mooring line geometry
      • Fender panel height
      • Buoyancy stability

    Large tidal ranges require camels with controlled buoyancy and stable trim.