Gantry Cranes Guide: Types (RTG, RMG, STS) & Buying Tips for Ports
A gantry crane is a heavy-duty lifting machine designed to move large and heavy loads safely and efficiently. It is commonly used in ports, container terminals, shipyards, warehouses, steel plants, and industrial yards.
Unlike overhead cranes, gantry cranes are supported by legs that move on rails or wheels, allowing them to cover a large outdoor or indoor working area.
Main Types of Gantry Cranes
- RMG – Rail-Mounted Gantry
Runs on rails and is widely used for organized container storage and high-volume terminal operations. - RTG – Rubber-Tired Gantry
Runs on rubber tyres, providing greater flexibility when moving between container blocks. - STS – Ship-to-Shore Crane
Used at the quay to load and unload containers directly between ships and the terminal. - Heavy-Lift Gantry
Designed for lifting machinery, steel structures, industrial components, and other very heavy loads.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
Choosing a gantry crane is not only about lifting capacity. Before purchasing, consider:
- Lifting capacity and height
- Crane span and working area
- Duty cycle and operating hours
- Rail or tyre configuration
- Electrical and control systems
- Ground and foundation requirements
- Wind, dust, humidity, and temperature
- Spare-parts availability
- Maintenance and inspection history
Buying a Used Gantry Crane
A used crane can be an excellent investment when properly inspected. Check the main structure, welding, hoist, wire ropes, brakes, motors, gearboxes, wheels, electrical panels, and control system.
Also ask about its previous working environment and maintenance history.
Kiani Mehr Tip
At Kiani Mehr, we believe the cheapest crane is not always the best deal.
The real cost includes purchase, transportation, refurbishment, installation, commissioning, spare parts, and future maintenance.
A properly inspected crane that matches your actual operation can provide much better value than a cheaper machine requiring major repairs.
The right gantry crane is not simply the one with the highest capacity—it is the one that fits your operation, environment, budget, and long-term requirements.
At Kiani Mehr, we help customers source and evaluate new and used port equipment according to their operational requirements, including container-handling machinery and related equipment.
