Overview
ISO 18692-2:2019 specifies the main characteristics and test methods for new polyester fibre ropes used for offshore stationkeeping (mooring and position-keeping of floating structures). It complements ISO 18692-1 (general specification) and focuses on polyester-specific material requirements, performance criteria and test procedures. Annex A covers fibre qualification and abrasion testing; Annex B provides additional informative guidance.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Material specification
- High-tenacity polyester fibre with average tenacity ≥ 0.78 N/tex (fibre qualification per Annex A and ISO 18692-1).
- Rope cover and other assembly materials per ISO 18692-1.
- Strength and tenacity
- Minimum breaking strength (MBS) specified by rope reference diameter (examples range roughly 3 140 kN for smaller reference sizes up to ~19 600 kN for large diameters).
- Minimum core tenacity: 0.47 N/tex (measured as per ISO 18692-1).
- Dynamic and mechanical properties
- Dynamic stiffness (end of bedding-in) required to be between 18 and 28 (unless purchaser specifies otherwise).
- Torque: ropes shall be torque-neutral or torque-matched as defined in ISO 18692-1.
- Durability under cyclic loading
- Cyclic loading endurance tests defined; residual strength after cyclic test shall be ≥ 80% of MBS.
- Emphasis on resistance to internal abrasion as the prevailing failure mode for polyester mooring ropes.
- Particle ingress protection
- Core protection against particle ingress required unless otherwise specified.
- Testing and sampling
- Type-test sampling requirements (e.g., breaking strength/core tenacity/stiffness: 3 samples; cyclic endurance: 1 sample; torque and linear density: 1 sample).
- Linear density, protective cover thickness and production testing per ISO 18692-1 methods.
- Qualification & certification
- Fibre abrasion (yarn-on-yarn) testing, marine finish persistence, and production verification per Annex A.
- Certification by a Recognized Classification Society (RCS) and marking/packaging in accordance with ISO 18692-1.
Applications and who uses this standard
ISO 18692-2 is intended for:
- Offshore mooring designers and engineers specifying polyester ropes for FPSOs, floating wind turbines, drill vessels and platforms.
- Rope manufacturers and quality control labs performing type tests and production verification.
- Class societies, procurement teams, marine contractors and operators requiring certified, high-performance polyester stationkeeping ropes.
Related standards
- ISO 18692-1:2018 - Fibre ropes for offshore stationkeeping - Part 1: General specification
- ISO 1968 - Fibre ropes and cordage - Vocabulary
This standard helps ensure consistent polyester rope performance, reliable offshore stationkeeping and clear test/acceptance criteria for procurement and certification.
