Synthetic Mooring Rope
Hawser Polypropylene Mono-filament 8-strand
Hawser Polypropylene Mono-filament 8-strand is a group of 48 IMPA-coded items (codes 210301–210374) under Synthetic Mooring Rope in the Rope & Hawsers section (IMPA 21). All of them are priced per coil. The list runs through imperial sizes from 6" to 15".
Buying guide
This group lists 8-strand plaited polypropylene monofilament mooring hawsers by circumference, from 6 in to 15 in (roughly 48 mm to 120 mm diameter), in coils of 200 m or 220 m. Monofilament polypropylene falls in grade PP2 of ISO 1346, the standard for polypropylene 3-, 4-, 8- and 12-strand ropes.[1]
Polypropylene has a specific gravity of about 0.91, so the rope floats. It absorbs no water and keeps the same strength wet or dry. Its weak points are a low melting point, about 165 °C, and limited resistance to prolonged sunlight.[2][3]
How to specify it
Start from the ship’s towing and mooring arrangements plan. It records the number of lines, the ship design minimum breaking load (MBLSD) and the length of each line, and any limits on line material, construction, stiffness and diameter. IMO guidance says a replacement should meet that design specification; where it cannot, the plan is updated to match the new line.[4][5]
Ask for the line design break force (LDBF), the break force of a new, dry, spliced line, on the certificate. It should be 100 % to 105 % of the MBLSD; a stronger line can mean reviewing the winch brakes and fittings. A breaking force quoted from the ISO 2307 test is for un-spliced rope and does not show the loss at the splice.[5][6][7]
Give the circumference, the coil length (200 m or 220 m are separate codes), the number of coils and any eyes wanted. Lines in the same service should have the same strength and elasticity, so do not mix polypropylene with another fibre in one group of lines.[8]
Rules and certificates
Heat: COSWP warns that polypropylene is more liable to soften than other materials, and that too much friction on a warping drum can fuse the rope so it sticks and jumps. Do not surge on the drum unless necessary and use the fewest turns, usually three.[9]
Snap-back and splices: a parting synthetic line can snap back dangerously, and COSWP treats the whole mooring deck as a danger area. Splices in polypropylene take at least three and not more than four full tucks, with tails at least three rope diameters long.[9]
Inspection and retirement: MSC.1/Circ.1620 asks for checks for abrasion, cuts, kinks, heat damage such as fusion, and slack or frayed eye splices, and bases replacement on the manufacturer’s criteria. INTERTANKO’s model line management plan retires a rope at 75 % residual strength of the ship design MBL. Cover lines not in use against sun and weather.[5][10][9]
Questions buyers ask
- Does polypropylene mooring rope float?
- Yes. Its specific gravity is about 0.91, it absorbs no water and its wet and dry strengths are the same.
- How do I choose the right size of polypropylene hawser?
- Take the MBLSD, length and any material limits from the ship’s towing and mooring arrangements plan, then order a line whose spliced LDBF is 100–105 % of the MBLSD, matching the other lines in the same service.
- Why did my polypropylene line glaze or fuse on the winch?
- Friction heat. Polypropylene melts at about 165 °C and softens more easily than other fibres, so avoid surging it on the drum end and use the fewest turns that hold.
Sources
- ISO 1346:2021 Fibre ropes, polypropylene split film, monofilament and multifilament (PP2) and high-tenacity multifilament (PP3), 3-, 4-, 8- and 12-strand ropes (abstract)
- LangmanTouw: polypropylene rope properties
- Mennens: polypropylene fibre rope, 3-strand (fibre properties)
- IMO MSC.1/Circ.1175/Rev.1: Revised guidance on shipboard towing and mooring equipment (2020; ABS copy)
- IMO MSC.1/Circ.1620: Guidelines for inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment including lines (2020)
- Samson Rope: technical bulletin, MEG4, MBLsd and LDBF (June 2020)
- ISO 2307:2019 Fibre ropes, determination of certain physical and mechanical properties (abstract)
- IACS Recommendation No. 10: Chain anchoring, mooring and towing equipment (Rev.4, 2020; copy hosted by IIMS)
- UK MCA: Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP), 2024 edition
- INTERTANKO: Guidance on Line Management Plans (hosted by IRClass)
Published by Sherif Awad, founder of GeoMarineHub — in ship supply since 1990, a family business since 1981 (45 years). Last checked .
At a glance
Part of Rope & Hawsers (IMPA section 21): Mooring ropes, hawsers, steel wire rope, cordage and twine, by construction and diameter.
It is one of 42 groups under Synthetic Mooring Rope; the others include Buoyant Winchline 6-strand Mooring Rope, Chafe Protections for Mooring Line, Hawser Double Braided Nylon/Nylon, Hawser Double Braided Polyester/Nylon, Hawser Double Braided Polypropylene/Polypropylene and 36 more.
Post the ones you need as a requirement and verified suppliers activated at your port bid on them — sealed, so nobody sees another bid.
- Items
- 48
- IMPA codes
- 210301–210374
- Priced
- per coil
- Sizes
- 6" – 15"
Items
Also under Synthetic Mooring Rope
- Buoyant Winchline 6-strand Mooring Rope
- Chafe Protections for Mooring Line
- Hawser Double Braided Nylon/Nylon
- Hawser Double Braided Polyester/Nylon
- Hawser Double Braided Polypropylene/Polypropylene
- Hawser Nylon 8-strand
- Hawser Polypropylene Split-film 8-starnd
- Hawser Protectors
- Hawser Thimble for Mooring
- Improved Mixed Rope "NIKASTEEL" Polyester / NIKASTEEL Combination
- Mooring Line 12-strand Polyester Jacketed "Turbo-EPX"
- Mooring Line 8-strand "Eurofloat"
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