SPM

SPM (single point mooring) is the general term for an offshore terminal where a tanker moors to one connection point and weathervanes around it, taking up the position of least environmental load. The family includes the CALM (catenary anchor leg mooring) buoy, the SALM (single anchor leg mooring) with a single near-vertical tensioned leg, and turret and tower types. The tanker connects by hawser to the buoy and transfers cargo through floating and submarine hoses to a seabed pipeline manifold. SPM lets very large crude carriers load or discharge in open water with no deep-draft berth, common at crude oil import and export terminals. OCIMF publishes the design, hose, and operating standards.