Single Point Mooring (SPM) is a floating buoy or jetty anchored offshore, specifically designed for the efficient handling of liquid cargo like petroleum products for tanker ships. These SPM systems are vital in areas where dedicated onshore facilities for loading or unloading liquid cargo are unavailable. Positioned several kilometers from the shore, SPMs are connected via subsea and sub-oil pipelines, allowing them to manage even large vessels like Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC).

At the core of the mooring buoy is the product transfer system, which transfers liquid cargo from the Pipeline End and Manifold (PLEM) located on the seabed to the tanker. This is achieved using flexible risers that link the subsea pipelines to the buoy’s transfer system. Tankers connect to the buoy through floating hose strings, equipped with breakaway couplings for safety. The swivel system within the SPM ensures a seamless connection between the PLEM and the buoy, facilitating smooth operations even under challenging conditions.

Machining scope for Typical SPM buoy

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Surface milling and drilling of bearing seating face on fixed part of turret buoy

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Picture of an actual turntable buoy at quayside for refurbishment

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Drilling or tapping on turntable bearing surface after surface milling

A single setup to complete both milling and drilling of bearing surface on buoy body