There are three kinds of loading arms: Marine loading arm, truck loading arm, rail car loading arm. A loading arm permits the transfer of liquid or liquefied gas from one tank to another through an articulated pipe system considering or rigid piping and swivel joints to obtain flexibility. Transfer to or from a truck transported tank ot rail transported tank requires a top loading arm or a bottom loading arm.
A Marine loading arm, also known as a mechanical loading arm, loading arm, or MLA is a mechanical arm considering of articulated steel pipes that connect a tankship such as an oil tanker or chemical tanker to a cargo terminal.