Twin-Lift Spreader: Definition & Use

A twin-lift spreader is a container spreader that lifts two 20 ft containers side by side in a single move. By handling two boxes per cycle instead of one, it is one of the highest-impact pieces of port equipment for raising quay productivity.

How twin-lift works

The spreader telescopes to engage two adjacent 20 ft containers and locks all eight corner castings with its twistlocks. On a busy ship-to-shore crane, moving two boxes at a time can lift moves-per-hour substantially without adding cranes.

Twin-lift versus tandem

Twin-lift handles two 20 ft containers; a tandem spreader goes further and lifts two 40 ft containers (or four 20 ft) at once on the largest STS cranes. Both require the crane to be rated for the extra load and the headblock to match.

Browse container spreaders on Portneeds.