Cranes are an essential part of any port. Without them, the transport of cargo would be effectively impossible. But you may be surprised at just how many different types and sizes of port cranes exist. This blog will explore these variations of port cranes and what differentiates them from each other.

What is the primary function of a port crane?
Port cranes serve a relatively simple, but critical, purpose: handling and transporting shipping containers to and from ships and throughout a terminal. This is true across all port cranes, regardless of the specific variant.

Types of port cranes
Most port cranes fall under the umbrella of gantry cranes. These are heavy duty cranes that are built on top of a gantry frame. Spreader Bars are suspended from the gantry and used to pick up containers by latching on to the corners of the containers via a standardized twist lock system.

Among gantry cranes, there are a few main variations of crane. This blog will cover rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes, rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes, automatic stacking cranes (ASC) and ship to shore (STS) cranes.

How to choose a port crane
Selecting the right crane for your particular port is vital. Consider these key factors:

Cargo Type
Bulk Goods (Coal, Grain): Continuous unloaders, grab cranes.
Containers: Ship-to-shore (STS), rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes.
Heavy-Lift: Heavy-lift cranes with high capacity.
Key takeaway: Match the crane to the primary cargo.
Port Size & Layout
Small Ports: Mobile harbor cranes (flexible, versatile).
Large Ports: Specialized STS cranes (for large container ships).
Consider: Quay length, water depth, vessel size, crane reach, and footprint.
Automation Needs
Fully Automated: Automated STS cranes, automated stacking cranes (ASCs) - for high efficiency and reduced labor.
Manual Operation: May suffice for less demanding needs.
Think long-term: Align automation with budget and efficiency goals.