How to Sell Container Spreaders — and Get Seen in the Port Equipment Industry

In many terminals, container spreaders that are still fully functional end up collecting dust. Not because there’s no demand — but because potential buyers simply don’t know they’re available. The challenge isn’t technical. It’s visibility.

Used container spreaders still hold significant value, especially for smaller container handling terminals, service providers, or operations in emerging port regions. The real problem? They’re rarely advertised in the right place.

Whether it’s a fixed 20ft spreader, a telescopic Bromma unit, or a semi-automatic STS spreader — these machines are built to last. Many of them are:

• Technically functional even after years of operation
• Supported by reliable brands like Bromma, ELME, Stinis, or VDL
• Still in demand in regions where new equipment is too expensive or not readily available

For some container terminals, a used container spreader can mean operational continuity. For the seller, it’s a chance to generate revenue from idle port equipment.

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is trying to list container spreaders on platforms that aren’t built for port equipment. Generic equipment sites group spreaders with agricultural gear or construction machines. The audience is wrong. The visibility is low. And the result? Nothing moves.

In other cases, the spreader ends up buried on a dealer’s website, without proper SEO or traffic. No leads, no reach, no movement.

This is why Portneeds exists — to bring visibility to equipment, spare parts, and services in the port sector. If you want to sell a container spreader, you need to show it to terminals, service companies, and buyers who actually operate in container handling and port logistics.

A listing on Portneeds:

• Reaches verified decision-makers in the port industry
• Show container spreaders 
• Includes proper SEO so it ranks on Google
• Can be posted by you — or by our team, with full support

Whether you offer one spreader or an entire yard of equipment, the principle is the same: visibility leads to opportunity.

The demand is there. Buyers are active. What’s missing is often just the right exposure. So if you’re holding on to a used spreader — fixed, telescopic, STS or other — and you want to sell it, don’t wait for someone to find your website.

Place it where port companies look. List your spreader on Portneeds — and turn idle stock into active value.

Want to save time? We can also list your container spreader for you. Just get in touch — or check the FAQ to learn how it works.