Mobile Cranes Shipping
Mobile Crane & All-Terrain Crane Transport
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Ship Your Mobile Cranes
Get expert advice on the best shipping solution for your equipment.
Related Equipment
Overview
Mobile cranes including all-terrain (AT), rough terrain (RT), and truck-mounted cranes are highly transportable compared to crawler cranes. Most can travel on their own wheels with boom retracted.
Our mobile crane shipping services cover units from 30-ton pick-and-carry cranes to massive 750-ton all-terrain cranes. We handle both self-propelled and transported configurations.
For larger all-terrain cranes, we coordinate the multiple loads required for the carrier, boom, and counterweights.
Typical Specifications
| Capacity Range | 30 - 750+ tons |
| Travel Weight | 25 - 100+ tons (carrier only) |
| Overall Length | 10m - 20m (travel position) |
| Axle Configurations | 2 - 9 axles |
Recommended Shipping Methods
Flat Rack
Boom sections and counterweights for split shipments.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
RecommendedExcellent for mobile cranes - they drive aboard easily.
Breakbulk
For very large AT cranes shipped in multiple components.
Heavy Haul Trucking
RecommendedFor moves where crane cannot self-propel or oversize permits needed.
Container, flat rack, RoRo or breakbulk?
We quote in this order because it is usually cheapest first. Most machines that look too big for a box fit once our crew takes off the bucket, boom, cab or wheels; larger ones are taken further apart across several containers, and pieces too big or heavy for a flat rack or roll trailer go breakbulk.
01Container
- Work needed
- We partially disassemble when needed (bucket, boom, cab, wheels), or take larger machines further apart across several high-cubes and open-tops, then crate, block and lash every part.
- Destinations
- Widest: almost every port worldwide, plus inland delivery by rail.
- Typical cost
- Usually the lowest, with no out-of-gauge surcharges.
- Protection
- Sealed steel box; loose parts and attachments travel locked inside.
- Best for
- Most machines: compact ones as they are, others after partial disassembly, and large ones split across several containers.
02Flat rack
- Work needed
- Ships assembled, blocked and lashed. Surcharges apply when wider than 2.4 m or taller than about 1.95 m.
- Destinations
- Most container ports, on the same vessels as containers.
- Typical cost
- Moderate; rises with every centimetre out of gauge.
- Protection
- Open to the weather; we protect cabs, electronics and hydraulics.
- Best for
- Excavators, dozers and loaders too wide for a container door.
03RoRo
- Work needed
- Drives on assembled; non-runners go on a roll trailer.
- Destinations
- Fewer destinations: regular lanes to Europe, West Africa, the Middle East, Oceania and parts of Latin America.
- Typical cost
- Often competitive for large self-propelled machines where a lane exists.
- Protection
- Below deck, but loose items and attachments cannot ride inside the cab.
- Best for
- Running machines going to a port with regular RoRo sailings.
04Breakbulk
- Work needed
- Lifted aboard piece by piece by ship’s or shore cranes, on its own skids or cradle, then stowed and lashed in the hold or on deck.
- Destinations
- Ports with breakbulk berths and heavy-lift cranes; sailings are booked voyage by voyage.
- Typical cost
- Usually the highest for a single small machine; often the only option for the largest pieces.
- Protection
- In the hold or lashed on deck; we crate, wrap and protect exposed parts.
- Best for
- Pieces too large or heavy for a flat rack or roll trailer: transformers, process modules, mining trucks, crane sections.
Handling & Preparation Requirements
- Boom fully retracted and secured
- Outriggers retracted and locked
- Counterweights removed (for large ATs)
- Mirrors folded, beacons removed
- Axle weights within legal/vessel limits
- Full documentation package
Common Models We Ship
Frequently Asked Questions
Can mobile cranes drive onto RoRo vessels?
Yes, most mobile cranes are excellent RoRo candidates. They're designed for road travel and can easily drive aboard.
Do large all-terrain cranes ship in one piece?
Smaller ATs (under 200 tons capacity) often ship complete. Larger ATs typically require boom removal and counterweight separation.
What permits are needed for mobile crane transport?
Depends on configuration. Cranes within legal dimensions may need no permits. Oversize loads require permits based on route.
Plan your shipment
Import Duty & Tax Estimator
Estimate duty and VAT on the CIF value for 70+ destinations.
Dimensional Weight Calculator
Work out chargeable weight before you book.
Container Space Calculator
See how your cargo fits in 20ft, 40ft, and HC containers.
Route Finder
Load port, sailings, duty and rules for a machine and destination.
Ready to Ship Your Mobile Cranes?
Get a customized quote for your equipment. Our experts handle mobile cranes shipments worldwide.