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Marine Terminal Reel - MTR
MTR is a next-generation system for bulk-liquid loading and unloading at ports and marine terminals. Built on our proven offshore hose reel technology, it offers a safer, simpler, more reliable, and lower-cost alternative to conventional loading arms, with smarter hose management that extends hose service life.
MTR is a next-generation system for bulk-liquid loading and unloading at ports and marine terminals. Instead of the complex articulated structure of a conventional loading arm, the MTR uses a motorized hose reel that deploys the hose to the vessel in about three minutes and retrieves it in about two. Inland and coastal terminal operators get a safer, simpler, more reliable, and lower-cost way to move cargo between ship and shore.
Available in single-hose and dual-hose configurations, the dual-hose version combines a loading hose with a vapor recovery hose for cargoes and terminals that require vapor control. Control options include wired or wireless remote pendants and PLC controls. This modular approach lets terminals match the system to their berths, operations, and cargo mix, from fuels to chemicals. The standard hose is 8 inches (203 mm) inside diameter and 75 ft (22.9 m) long, with other sizes available.
The MTR is built on our proven offshore hose reel technology, used to transfer seawater on more than 70 jack-up rigs worldwide. That technology has been proven in some of the most demanding marine environments, and the MTR brings it to the marine terminal.
Made in the USA
The MTR is designed, engineered, and manufactured in Houston, Texas. That means shorter lead times and local support for major terminal hubs in the U.S.A.
U.S. manufacturing also positions the MTR to meet domestic content requirements under the Buy American Act (BAA) and the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), a real advantage on federally funded port projects such as those supported by MARAD and DOT grant programs.
| Configurations: | Single-hose (loading) or dual-hose (loading + vapor recovery) |
|---|---|
| Hose Inside Diameter: | 8 in (203 mm) standard; other diameters available |
| Hose Length: | 75 ft (22.9 m) standard; custom lengths available |
| Working Pressure: | 300 psi at ambient temperature |
| Deployment Time: | Approx. 3 minutes (full deployment) |
| Retrieval Time: | Approx. 2 minutes (full retrieval) |
| Availability (Design Target): | 99.5%, including scheduled hose replacement |
| Hose Construction: | Stainless steel, rubber, or composite, selected to suit the cargo |
| Controls Options: | Wired or wireless remote pendant; PLC controls |
| Available Options: | Explosion-proof motors (Class I, Div. 1 & 2), automated tensioning, full marine coatings, heat tracing for high-viscosity cargoes |
The MTR is designed for bulk-liquid loading and unloading at inland and coastal terminals, handling:
- - Crude oil and condensate
- - Refined products and bunker fuels
- - Biofuels
- - Petrochemicals and chemicals
- - Heated cargoes such as bitumen and asphalt (with optional heat tracing)
The system can be configured to transfer multiple bulk liquids simultaneously, allowing a single berth to handle several products during the same vessel call. The dual-hose configuration supports cargoes that require vapor recovery.
Typical applications include:
- - Loading arm replacement: A direct upgrade for terminals with existing or aging loading arms.
- - Terminal upgrades and expansions: A faster, lower-cost option for modernizing berths or adding new ones.
- - Hose management: At terminals where transfer hoses are stored or handled on the ground, the MTR keeps them organized and protected on the reel. That reduces wear, damage, and trip hazards on the dock, and extends hose service life.
Safer Operations
The MTR eliminates the working-at-height exposure associated with loading arm maintenance and reduces leaks, spills, and fire risk at the dock face.
Less Downtime
The MTR cuts terminal downtime by 80% compared with conventional loading arms. When repairs are needed, they are completed 3× faster: typically in under a week, compared with more than three weeks for a loading arm. The system is designed for 99.5% availability, including scheduled hose replacement.
Every hour a berth is out of service can leave vessels waiting and demurrage charges accumulating. By keeping berths available and turnaround predictable, the MTR helps terminals avoid those costs and become a more attractive choice for shippers and carriers.
Lower Total Cost of Ownership
A conventional loading arm is a complex mechanism with six or more articulated joints, each needing regular inspection and maintenance. The MTR has significantly fewer moving parts, which means fewer planned maintenance events and a substantially lower cost of ownership.
Maintenance is also simpler. Visual inspections are easier, and work can be carried out without scaffolding, cranes, working at height, or complex maintenance logistics. When repairs are needed, they cost roughly 83% less than on a loading arm, an estimated $50K or less compared with about $300K.
Because the hose is protected on the reel and properly managed, it typically lasts 3–6 years, compared with about one year for hoses handled on the ground. Installation is simpler and faster than for a loading arm, and procurement lead times are about half as long.