Offshore loading system by suspended piping

An arrangement for the transfer of fluid between a first location and a second location, comprising:

• a constant-tension control winch which is installed at the first location and on which is wound a suspension cable that is strechable between the first and second locations, the control winch subjecting the suspension cable to a substantially constant tension;
• a storage stand which is installed at the first location and on which are suspended in storage a plurality of rigid pipe sections that are articulated together by corresponding articulation sections which each comprise one or more bends and rotary joints;
• wherein the pipe sections can pass from a storage position in which the pipe sections are suspended in concertina fashion on the storage stand to a position where they are spread out between the first and second locations on the suspension cable for executing the transfer of fluid;
• and
• means for coupling predetermined ones of the articulation sections to the storage stand or to the suspension cable as a function of the length of suspension cable stretched between the first and second locations.