Overview - ISO 24132:2024 for liquefied hydrogen marine transfer arms
ISO 24132:2024 establishes design, minimum safety, inspection and testing requirements for marine transfer arms used in ship-to-shore transfer of liquefied hydrogen (LH2) at onshore LH2 terminals. The standard focuses on hard pipe type transfer systems (while noting that vacuum‑insulated hose systems can be considered) and covers product line design, materials, safety systems and commissioning tests. It addresses power and control systems at a high level but does not prescribe every detail for standard off‑the‑shelf parts and fittings.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Design basis and analysis: product line diameters, material selection, stress analysis and thermal analysis to ensure integrity under cryogenic LH2 conditions.
- Swivel joints and bearings: sealing arrangements, bearing systems, external seals and protection for structural bearings.
- Accessories and insulation: provisions for vacuum insulation, vapour recovery lines, liquid nitrogen lines, drainage, stowage devices and ice‑fall protection.
- Welding, corrosion and embrittlement protection: requirements to prevent cryogenic embrittlement and to protect against marine corrosion.
- Safety systems: two‑stage alarm and automatic shutdown, monitoring and alarm envelopes, arm position monitoring (CPMS), emergency release systems (ERS) and associated safety devices (fire, electrical, bonding, stray current protection).
- Ship connection and quick connect/disconnect: requirements for safe connection to carriers, flange covers and QCDC systems.
- Hydraulic and electrical control: design and testing of hydraulic components, electric controls, remote operation and jetty control consoles.
- Inspections and tests: prototype testing (including swivel joints, ERS, insulating flanges and QCDC), manufacturing inspections, materials verification, weld NDT, dimensional checks and pressure testing.
Practical applications and users
ISO 24132:2024 is essential for:
- Marine and port engineers designing LH2 loading arms and transfer systems
- Manufacturers of marine transfer arms, swivel joints and ERS devices
- Onshore LH2 terminal operators and shipowners conducting safe ship-to-shore transfers
- Commissioning teams, inspectors and classification societies performing prototype and manufacturing testing
- Regulators and safety assessors setting terminal approval and operational procedures
Use cases include design verification, procurement specifications, equipment acceptance tests, operational safety planning and maintenance regimes for LH2 ship-to-shore transfers.
Related standards and context
ISO 24132:2024 complements other marine, cryogenic and hydrogen handling standards and national regulations governing port operations, cryogenic piping and gas safety. Implementers should coordinate this standard with applicable IMO, national port authority and hydrogen safety guidance when planning LH2 terminals.