In modern port operations, cranes play a pivotal role. They are responsible for transporting cargo between ships and the shore and vice versa. Additionally, cranes are widely used in ship repair, ship - stranding operations, and other auxiliary tasks, becoming a common sight in any port. To meet such diverse functional requirements, various types of cranes have been developed, each specialized for certain conditions and available space.
Common Types of Cranes in Ports
Ⅰ. Ship To Shore (STS) Cranes
Function and Structure：Designed mainly for handling cargo, often ISO containers, between ships and docks. Instead of a traditional hook, they are equipped with a specialized spreader. The spreader can be lowered onto a container and locked to its locking points via a twist - lock mechanism.
Classification
1. Panamax：Named after ships passing through the Panama Canal. STS cranes are called Panamax when they can fully load and unload container ships that can traverse the Panama Canal. These ships are typically 12 - 13 containers wide.
2. Post Panamax：Capable of handling cargo from wider container ships, usually 18 containers wide. They are designed to serve larger vessels that cannot pass through the Panama Canal due to their size.
3. Super - Post Panamax：Can handle even larger container ships, often 22 or more containers wide. These marine cranes are crucial for ports handling mega - container ships, which are becoming increasingly common in global trade.
Ⅱ. Gantry Cranes
Characteristics：The most distinctive part is the gantry, an overhead frame structure. Sometimes referred to as portal cranes, they usually move along a straight - line route. This movement defines their work area and allows other machinery to operate beneath them.
Sub - categories
1. Rubber - Tired Gantry (RTG) Cranes：Supported by rubber - tired wheels, RTG cranes offer flexibility in movement within the port yard. They are often used in container yards where they can move between different stacks of containers, handling the input and output flow of containers.
2. Rail - Mounted Gantry (RMG) Cranes：Running on fixed rails, RMG cranes provide more precise movement. They are suitable for ports with high - volume container handling, as they can be automated more easily, improving efficiency and accuracy in container handling.
Ⅲ. Deck Cranes
Installation and Function：These are commonly mounted on the upper deck of ships. Their compact structure minimizes deck area occupation, thus enhancing loading and unloading efficiency. In small ports lacking STS cranes, container ships can utilize deck cranes along with accessories like spreaders and frames to handle cargo without extensive infrastructure.
Ⅳ. Other Types of Port Cranes
Cargo Handling：Designed for non - containerized cargo, they use grab mechanisms instead of hooks. Different attachments, such as orange - peel grabs or clamshell buckets, are used to handle bulk cargo like coal, sand, or grain. They are essential for ports handling large quantities of raw materials.
Mobility and Applications：Equipped with pontoons, floating cranes can move freely on water. They are used in large - scale port construction projects, such as bridge building, where they can lift and place heavy components. They are also crucial for salvage operations, retrieving sunken ships or objects from the water.
As port business grows, MAXTECH leads in crane tech. We offer automated STS & gantry cranes. Contact us for our diverse marine cranes and enhanced port performance.
Post time: Mar-25-2025
