Port Cranes: The Backbone of Maritime Logistics
Port cranes are primarily used for loading and unloading ships, particularly those carrying containers. They facilitate the movement of cargo between ships and the port terminal, handling everything from individual containers to larger bulk goods.
Primary Functions
Container Handling
Port cranes, especially Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, are crucial for loading and unloading containers from ships.
Material Handling
Some port cranes are designed to handle bulk materials like scrap metal, steel, or loose cargo using tools like bulk grabs.
Yard Operations
Yard cranes, like Rubber-Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, move containers within the port yard to and from trailers or other storage areas.
Common Crane Types
Ship-to-Shore (STS) Cranes
These large dockside gantry cranes are specifically designed for loading and unloading containers from ships.
Mobile Harbor Cranes
These cranes are versatile and can be used for various tasks, including handling containers, general cargo, and bulk materials.
Panamax & Post-Panamax
These are specific sizes of STS cranes designed to handle ships that can or cannot pass through the Panama Canal.
Essential Components
Spreader
This specialized tool is used to attach to the four corners of a container, lifting it for loading or unloading.
Twistlock
This mechanism locks the spreader onto the corner castings of a container.