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A Shipyard Gantry Crane, also known as a shipbuilding gantry crane, marine gantry crane, or shipyard portal crane, is a heavy-duty lifting machine designed for ship construction, ship section assembly, and large marine equipment handling. It is mainly installed in shipyards, dry docks, and shipbuilding areas to lift, transport, and position large hull blocks and heavy components.
The crane is built with a high-strength gantry structure, large-span design, and a precise control system to handle complex shipbuilding operations. With lifting capacities commonly ranging from 50 tons to over 1000 tons, it is used for hull block turnover, ship section alignment, assembly and installation of large equipment.
Designed for harsh marine environments, the crane features rigid steel structures, corrosion-resistant treatment, and adjustable working parameters. The span, lifting height, and duty class can be customized according to shipyard layout, vessel size, and production requirements, with typical duty ratings from A5 to A8 for different operating conditions.
For an in-depth analysis of shipyard gantry cranes, see the article: “What Is a Goliath Crane in Shipbuilding?”
The shipyard gantry crane is built with a large steel structure, lifting units, traveling system, and control equipment. The components work together to handle hull blocks, marine equipment, and other heavy loads in shipyard operations.
The combination of these components allows the crane to perform heavy lifting, hull assembly, and equipment installation tasks in shipyards, docks, and marine construction areas.
The shipyard gantry crane performs lifting operations through coordinated movement of the crane, trolleys, and hoisting system. The process includes positioning, lifting, turning, and accurate placement of ship sections.
1. Crane Positioning — The traveling mechanism moves the crane along the rails to the required lifting area. A variable frequency drive controls the travel speed and positioning accuracy.
2. Trolley Positioning — The upper and lower trolleys move along different tracks on the main girder. They can operate independently or together according to the lifting requirements.
3. Lifting and Transport — The hoisting system uses drums, wire ropes, and pulley blocks to lift loads. Variable speed control allows smooth lifting and precise positioning, with inching speeds of 0.1–0.5 m/min for assembly work.
4. Air Turning and Assembly — The upper and lower trolleys work together to lift and turn hull sections. Different hook movements allow 180° air turning and accurate alignment during hull assembly.
5. Placement and Release — The crane lowers the load to the installation position through low-speed control. After the section is secured, the hooks are released to complete the lifting cycle.
Through coordinated control of each mechanism, the shipyard gantry crane completes heavy lifting, hull section handling, and precision assembly operations in shipbuilding projects.
| Specification | Parameter |
|---|---|
| Lifting Capacity | 50–1600 Tons |
| Span | 40–185 m |
| Lifting Height | 25–90 m |
| Working Duty | A5–A8 |
| Main Hoisting Speed | 6–8.5 m/min |
| Trolley Speed | 38–44.5 m/min |
| Crane Traveling Speed | 36–40 m/min |
| Inching Speed | 0.1–0.5 m/min |
| Max. Wheel Load | 260–750 kN |
| Installed Power | 400–1550 kW |
| Power Supply | 3 Phase AC 380V/50Hz (Customizable) |
| Main Girder Structure | Double Box Girder |
| Trolley Configuration | Upper & Lower Trolley System |
| Control System | PLC + Variable Frequency Control |
| Safety Devices | Overload Limiter, Rail Clamp, Wind Protection System |
| Working Temperature | -25℃ to +60℃ |
| Customization | Capacity, Span, Height and Electrical System |
Note: Shipyard gantry cranes can be customized according to shipyard layout, hull block weight, lifting requirements, and operating conditions. Detailed technical design and configuration are available based on project requirements.
Used for lifting, positioning, and joining large hull sections with high precision during ship construction.
Handles the installation of main engines, auxiliary equipment, shaft systems, piping, and other heavy marine components.
Transfers steel plates, profiles, and prefabricated sections between docks, workshops, and storage areas.
Supports ship repair operations by lifting and replacing hull parts, propellers, rudders, and other heavy components.
Provides lifting support for ship launching, positioning, and construction work in slipways and floating docks.
Handles containers, heavy equipment, and shipbuilding materials at shipyard terminals and supporting docks.
Uses multi-trolley operation for air turning, rotation, and fine positioning of hull blocks and large equipment.
Provides lifting support for machinery maintenance, equipment replacement, and workshop servicing.
Lifts large prefabricated modules and assembled sections to improve shipbuilding efficiency.
Used for lifting offshore structures, wind turbine components, and other marine energy equipment.
For more information on the applications of shipyard gantry cranes, see the article: Top Applications of Gantry Cranes in Shipyards
The shipyard gantry crane is equipped with structural, mechanical, electrical and monitoring protection systems to maintain safe operation under heavy-duty working conditions.
Regular inspection helps identify equipment issues and maintain reliable crane operation.
Safety records should be maintained for each inspection. Any abnormal condition must be repaired before the crane returns to service.
You can also read the article for more details on the inspection checklist and schedule: Shipbuilding Gantry Crane Maintenance Guide
A shipyard gantry crane can be customized according to shipyard layout, vessel size, and lifting requirements. The design covers capacity, structure, trolley configuration, control system, and safety equipment.
For detailed guidelines on selecting the right shipyard gantry crane, see: Shipyard Gantry Crane Selection Guide: Capacity, Structure, and Application
Get Custom Quotation NowWEIHUA is a manufacturer and supplier of shipyard gantry cranes, specializing in the design and production of heavy-duty lifting equipment. With years of crane manufacturing experience, advanced production facilities, and strict quality inspection, WEIHUA provides shipyard cranes for hull assembly, block lifting, and marine equipment installation.
WEIHUA supports customized solutions based on lifting capacity, span, lifting height, and shipyard layout. From crane design and manufacturing to installation support and after-sales service, we provide complete lifting solutions for shipbuilding projects. Contact us for a customized shipyard gantry crane proposal.
A shipyard gantry crane is used for ship block lifting, hull section assembly, equipment installation, and heavy material handling in shipyards, docks, and marine construction areas.
The lifting capacity typically ranges from 50 tons to 1600 tons, depending on ship size, block weight and project requirements.
The span can reach 40–185 m and can be customized according to dock width, rail layout and working area.
Large vessels such as container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, offshore vessels and special engineering ships commonly use shipyard gantry cranes during construction.
Yes. The crane can be customized in lifting capacity, span, lifting height, trolley configuration, control system, and safety equipment according to shipyard requirements.
A shipyard gantry crane is designed for large-scale shipbuilding work, with higher capacity, larger span, stronger structure and functions such as dual trolley operation and hull block turning.
With proper maintenance and regular inspection, a shipyard gantry crane can typically operate for 20–30 years depending on working conditions, load frequency and maintenance quality.
Selection should be based on lifting capacity, shipyard layout, span, lifting height, working duty, hull section weight and operating frequency. A crane manufacturer can provide the suitable configuration according to project conditions.
Weihua, founded in 1988, has evolved into a global leader in China's intelligent manufacturing field. We specialize in smart crane R&D and production while offering AGV solutions. Our professional engineering, delivery, and after-sales teams provide one-stop technical support, customized solutions, on-site installation guidance, and rapid-response global services to ensure every project operates safely and efficiently.
Yes. Our equipment can be equipped with an intelligent monitoring system, achieving real-time status monitoring and fault warning through remote data transmission, ensuring the safety and continuity of shipyard operations while shortening maintenance downtime.
Yes, it is designed for heavy-duty lifting in both automotive manufacturing and shipyard environments.
They refer to the same machine type. “Ship-to-Shore crane” (STS crane) is the international industry term used in port planning and procurement. “Quayside container crane” is the common Chinese technical designation. Both describe the portal crane installed at the apron edge of a container terminal to transfer containers between vessels and the dock. Weihua uses both terms interchangeably in its product documentation.
STS cranes typically offer a single-lift capacity of 40-65 tons, with a dual-lift capacity reaching 80 tons, suitable for post-Panamax and ultra-post-Panamax container ships.
STS cranes are designed with a lifting height of 40-55 meters above the rail and 15-20 meters below the rail, enabling efficient handling of high-deck vessels and deep-stowage containers.
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