Chain Suppliers

Chains do heavy work on every vessel. Lifting chain slings move spare engine parts in and out of the engine room. The anchor chain holds the ship in place at anchorages. Lashing chains secure deck cargo through rough weather. Mooring chains keep moored barges and offshore units fixed in position. 

The wrong grade or a worn link can drop a load on the deck or part during a storm, so the source matters. Chain suppliers serve the maritime sector with certified products, full test paperwork, and stock at major ports. RecordsMarine is a directory that helps shipowners, technical superintendents, and yards find the right partner for the job.

Common Marine Chain Types

The category is broader than most buyers expect. Our listed suppliers of chains cover:

• Grade 80 and Grade 100 lifting chain
• Lifting chain slings with hooks, single and multi-leg
• Stud link and open link anchor chain
• Mooring chain for buoys, barges, and offshore units
• Lashing chain for deck cargo securing
• Stainless steel marine chain for corrosive duty
• Load chain for chain blocks and lever hoists
• Towing and recovery chain assemblies

Each type has its own grade, finish, and certification path. A general industrial chain rarely meets the needs of a ship at sea.

Where Marine Chain Is Used

Lifting chains see daily service in the engine room, on cargo decks, and at the workshop crane. Anchor chains run from the chain locker through the windlass and out the hawse pipe, with size matched to vessel length and tonnage. Mooring chains hold offshore platforms, FSOs, and SPM buoys. Lashing chains secure containers on flat racks, project cargo on heavy lift ships, and roll-on roll-off cargo on ferries. Each duty calls for a different specification.

Standards and Certification

Reputable chain distributors deliver products with full traceability. Lifting chain follows EN 818 for short link chain and ASME B30.9 for slings, with proof load tests and a manufacturer's certificate per assembly. Anchor and mooring chain meets IACS W18 or class society rules from DNV, ABS, Lloyd's Register, or Bureau Veritas, with mill certificates, breaking load tests, and stamping on every shot. 

A buyer should ask for the test pack with each order and confirm the certificate matches the heat number on the chain itself.

How to Choose the Right Supplier

Not every vendor handles the full range. Worth a check before nomination:

• Stock depth across grades and sizes
• Class type approval where the duty needs it
• Cut length and assembly capability
• Proof testing facilities and documentation
• Port coverage on your trade routes
• Lead times for non-stock items
• Clear pricing, including end fittings and packing

Maintenance and Common Failures

Chains fail mostly at the link bends, where wear and stretch concentrate. Lifting chain slings need a documented inspection at least every 12 months, with a working visual check before each lift. 

Crews watch for elongation, nicks, twisted links, corrosion, and wear at sling hook seats. Anchor chain calls for periodic ranging on the dock during dry dock, with measurement of link diameter at the worn points. Any chain that fails its inspection limits is taken out of service and replaced with a spare stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast can a supplier deliver a marine chain to a vessel?

Stock items often reach major ports in 2 to 5 days. Long anchor chains and custom sling assemblies usually need 3 to 8 weeks.

What documents should a supplier provide with each delivery?

Mill certificates, proof load test reports, type approval where relevant, and a certificate that matches the heat number stamped on the chain.

Can one supplier handle both lifting chain and anchor chain?

Larger vendors hold both, although some firms specialize in one side only. The directory includes profiles that show the scope clearly.

Do suppliers offer chain testing and recertification?

Many distributors of chains run their own proof test rigs or work with class-approved labs to retest slings on a 12-month cycle.

Are urgent orders covered at remote ports?

Established suppliers keep regional stock and air freight options to support breakdown calls and dry dock deficiencies on short notice.

Find a Chain Supplier Near You

Below is our list of chain suppliers serving the maritime sector at major ports and yards. Pick a partner that matches your vessel type, route, and chain duty, then reach out to them through the contact details on each profile.