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Stephane Paquet,
TechnipFMC Loading
Systems, France,
discusses
the development of green,
simple and cost-effective
loading systems for LNG
applications.
T
o date, hydraulic drives have exclusively been used
where there is a need for a powered marine loading
arm (MLA). The MLA functions requiring power
are the manoeuvring system and, when fitted, the quick
connect/disconnect coupler (QC/DC) and the emergency
release system (ERS).
To improve the control of hydraulic powered MLAs,
TechnipFMC developed the Easy Drive feature, which gives
the operator direct proportional control of the rectilinear
motions – direction and speed – of the MLA connection
flange and offers significant advantages over the current
on-off hydraulic control.
Looking forward, the energy industry continues to
move toward greener and more cost-effective systems. To
this end, a full electric MLA (e-MLA) is a game changer.
Several machines in the marine and offshore industry
have already shifted from hydraulic to electric drives for
better reliability, easier control and less commissioning
and maintenance. TechnipFMC has completed a
development program to design and qualify an electrical
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