Ship-to-Shore (STS) Crane: Definition & Specifications
A ship-to-shore (STS) crane is the large, rail-mounted port equipment that loads and unloads containers between a vessel and the quay. It is the highest-throughput machine in a container terminal: a trolley runs along a boom that reaches out over the ship, lowering a spreader onto each container.
How an STS crane works
The crane is fixed to rails along the quay and moves sideways to line up with each bay of the ship. The boom extends over the vessel during operation and lifts up out of the way so ships can berth and depart. Modern STS cranes add anti-sway control and millimetre-level positioning so they can integrate with a terminal operating system (TOS).
Key specifications
| Specification | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Lifting capacity (single) | 40–65 tonnes under spreader |
| Lifting capacity (twin-lift) | up to 80 tonnes (two 20 ft boxes) |
| Outreach, Panamax (13 rows) | 30–40 metres |
| Outreach, Post-Panamax (16–18 rows) | 45–55 metres |
| Outreach, ULCV (20–24+ rows) | 60–75 metres |
| Positioning accuracy | ±10–20 mm (automated) |
| Power | Electric (cable reel or busbar) |
Leading manufacturers
| Brand | Note |
|---|---|
| ZPMC (China) | Global market leader, around 70% of new STS cranes |
| Konecranes (Finland) | Wide installed base, strong service network |
| Liebherr (Germany) | High-spec cranes, European support |
| Paceco / Mitsui / Weihua | Established regional builders |
Typical use cases
- Loading and discharging container vessels at deep-sea and feeder terminals
- High-volume quays where cycle time per move is critical
- Automated terminals where STS cranes feed AGVs or shuttle carriers
Used market pricing (2026)
STS cranes are major capital assets and trade rarely on the used market. Price depends heavily on outreach, age, and whether relocation is included. Indicative used ranges run from roughly €1M for an older Panamax crane to €5M+ for a recent Post-Panamax unit, with disassembly and heavy-transport adding substantially to the total.
Browse used port cranes for sale on Portneeds, the dedicated port equipment marketplace.
