Heavy cargo does not load itself. A crane is a machine with a projecting arm or jib used to lift, lower, and move cargo between ship and shore or within the ship itself.

Port cranes include ship-to-shore gantry cranes for containers, mobile harbor cranes, and level-luffing cranes for general cargo. Some ships carry their own deck cranes for independence from shore equipment. Safe working load, outreach, and cycle time determine which crane suits which job.

Crane operations require trained operators, clear signals, and secure lifting gear. Accidents occur from overload, swinging loads, or poor communication. In container terminals the productivity of the cranes largely sets the ship’s time alongside.

• Lifting machine for cargo transfer
• Includes shore gantries and shipboard deck cranes
• Rated by safe working load and outreach
• Critical to port productivity and safety