Ship-to-Shore Cranes Market Report 2025

This Ship-To-Shore Cranes report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.

The ship-to-shore cranes market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.3 billion in 2024 to $3.87 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to global trade expansion leading to increased container traffic, growing size and capacity of container ships, modernization and automation of port operations, efforts to improve port efficiency and reduce turnaround times, increased containerization of cargo for transportation.

The ship-to-shore cranes market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.44 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to continued growth in global maritime trade, adoption of advanced automation technologies in ports, expansion of container terminal capacities, emphasis on environmental sustainability in port operations, integration of digital technologies for real-time monitoring and control. Major trends in the forecast period include development of mega-container ships driving demand for larger cranes, implementation of electrification and hybrid power solutions for cranes, integration of artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance, modular and scalable designs for flexible crane configurations, adoption of remote operation and autonomous functionality.

The anticipated surge in global cargo transportation is poised to drive the ship-to-shore cranes market. Sea freight, known for its cost-effectiveness, high vessel load capacity, and absence of restrictions on cargo capacity, stands out as a preferred method for moving goods. It significantly reduces transportation costs for long-distance shipping, making sea transport an economical choice. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forecasts a tripling of maritime trade volumes by 2050, estimating that ships, annually carrying around 11 billion tons of cargo, will play a crucial role. Ship-to-shore cranes, specifically gantry-style cranes facilitating container loading and unloading from ships to docks, enhance efficiency, reduce human intervention, and minimize errors, aligning with the escalating global cargo transportation demands.

The expansion of international trade is anticipated to drive the growth of the ship-to-shore market in the future. International trade involves the exchange of goods and services between countries, including the import and export of products across borders, aimed at achieving mutual economic benefits and enhancing global economic interdependence. Ship-to-shore communication systems are crucial in international trade as they enable real-time data exchange between vessels and ports, facilitating efficient cargo handling and maritime operations. For example, in September 2024, the Trade and Investment Core Statistics, a department for business and trade in the UK, reported that the volume of UK exports of goods and services is projected to rise by 0.6% in 2024 and by 1.9% in 2025. Thus, the growth of international trade is a significant factor driving the development of the ship-to-shore market.

Leading companies in the ship-to-shore market are introducing cranes designed for heavy lifting and material transportation. Cranes are specialized machines used to lift and move heavy materials in various settings, including construction, shipping, and industrial operations. For example, in October 2024, Peel Ports Clydeport, a UK-based port and logistics company, unveiled two new ship-to-shore cranes: Craner Swift and U-Crane Bolt. These cranes are designed to enhance the port's productivity and efficiency in handling containerized cargo. With a height of 72 meters, they represent a significant investment in the port's infrastructure, enabling quicker turnaround times for vessels and meeting the increasing demand in transatlantic trade.

Simulator-based training emerges as a strategic focus for major companies in the ship-to-shore market. For instance, CM Labs Simulations, based in Canada, has launched an advanced Ship-To-Shore (STS) Crane Simulator Training Pack. Leveraging a high-fidelity real-time physics engine, this simulator integrates a mechanical engineering layer with advanced functionalities, allowing for a comprehensive training curriculum covering diverse scenarios. This simulator, replicating ship-to-shore operations, provides operators with a platform to acquire expertise for safe and efficient crane operation. The emphasis on simulator-based training reflects the commitment to staying competitive in the market through skill development and operational proficiency.

In September 2022, Vestergaard Company, a Swiss entity specializing in advanced airport equipment, fully acquired Kalmar Motor CAPA. This acquisition enhances collaboration between the companies and positions them for future growth. With a focus on increasing production capacity to meet the rising demand for innovative electrical tractors from Kalmar Motor, this strategic move strengthens the companies' foothold in the ship-to-shore cranes market.

Major companies operating in the ship-to-shore cranes market include Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd., Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Wison Group, Konecranes plc, Kalmar Global, SANY Heavy Equipment Co. Ltd., Manitowoc Cranes Group, Terex Corporation, Cargotec Corporation, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Anupam Industries Limited, Kranunion GmbH, Kocks Ardelt Kranbau GmbH, Kuenz GmbH, Paceco Corp., TTS Group ASA, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd., Huisman Equipment B. V., Kress Corporation, MacGregor, Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Noell Crane Systems, OUCO Marine Group Co. Ltd., RAM Lifting Technologies, Sarens NV, TEC Containers SA, ZPMC USA, Tadano Ltd., Palfinger AG, Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Co. Ltd., Bridon-Bekaert The Ropes Group, Dana Incorporated, Mac Port-Macchine Operatrici Portuali SRL.

North America was the largest region in the ship to shore cranes market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the ship-to-shore cranes market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the ship-to-shore cranes market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

Ship-to-shore cranes are cranes positioned either in a fixed location or rail-mounted for traversing along the shore, and they are considered standard terminal equipment for lifting and transferring cargo between the quayside and vessels. These cranes are designed with various outreaches and specifications to meet the specific requirements of each customer. The supporting framework of a container crane can move along a rail track along the entire length of a quay or yard.

The main types of ship-to-shore cranes include high-profile cranes and low-profile cranes. High-profile cranes are hinged to the crane structure and face toward the water, allowing ships to be cleared for navigation when the boom is raised. The lifting capacities are categorized as Panamax STS cranes, post-Panamax STS cranes, and super-post Panamax STS cranes. Power supplies for these cranes include diesel, electric, and hybrid options. The outreach capabilities are segmented into less than 40 meters, 41-50 meters, 51-60 meters, and more than 60 meters. Applications for ship-to-shore cranes include cargo transportation, power transmission, and other various applications.

The ship to shore cranes market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides ship to shore cranes market statistics, including ship to shore cranes industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an ship to shore cranes market share, detailed ship to shore cranes market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the ship to shore cranes industry. This ship to shore cranes market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The ship to shore cranes market consists of sales of carry deck crane, crawler crane, floating crane, rough terrain crane, truck-mounted crane, overhead crane, bulk-handling crane, and hammerhead crane. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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