Choosing the best marine loading arm for your facility is an important decision that impacts operational efficiency, safety, and overall performance. Liquid and gas transfer is primarily performed between the vessels and the onshore storage facilities using marine loading arms. There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you make the right decision. This guide will assist you with navigating what your facility should consider when selecting the correct marine loading arms installation.

Know Your Operational Needs

First and foremost, evaluate your facility's specific needs. Think about the specific liquids or gases to be moved, the temperatures at which they would be operated, and the pressure. Some loading arms are specified for chemicals, petroleum products, or liquefied gases, while others are optimized for cryogenic applications. Of course, the best performance comes from matching the arm type with your operational needs.

Assess Environmental Contexts

Environmental aspects significantly influence the choice of a proper loading arm. Equipment can also be affected by harsh weather conditions, tidal variation, wave heights, and exposure to corrosive elements, which can hamper the performance and endurance of equipment. Select loading arms built with materials capable of enduring these challenges, like stainless steel or custom alloys.

Take Loading Arm Designs into Account

There are different types of marine loading arms, including:

Hydraulic Loading Arms: Best for high-volume facilities and high-pressure situations, allowing for accurate control

Manual Loading Arms: Ideal for smaller operations that may not require as much automation.

Pneumatic Loading Arms: Facilitates specialized applications that demand flexibility and ease of use.

The Cryogenic Loading Arms: are specifically constructed for LNG and other cryogenic materials.

Space and Layout Limitations

Assess the flow of your facility and the space available for installation. Others require more workspace, while some marine loading arms are more compact and built for more cramped environments. Choose the arm that prevents having to realign it continuously with the vessel manifolds as this adds downtime.

Maintenance and Support

Choosing a loading arm that is low maintenance and provides long-term reliability. Example: Considerations include material durability, horizontal resistance to corrosion, and availability of spare parts. It is recommended to partner with a reliable supplier that offer excellent after-sales service and maintenance services.

Cost Considerations

Although it may be easy to go with the lowest bid, value is important to consider with the initial telescoping arm loading price. A reliable, high-quality loading arm will decrease both downtime and maintenance costs, and the risk of safety incidents. Strike a balance between front-loaded expenses and future operational benefits.

However, selecting the appropriate marine loading arm requires due diligence and careful consideration of operational requirements, environmental conditions, safety regulations, and budget constraints. Work alongside knowledgeable marine equipment vendors who provide expertise and customize solutions according to your needs.

The right marine loading arm investment will make sure your operations are safe, cost-effective, and efficient for many years to come.