Tower Cranes Shipping
Tower Crane Shipping & Logistics Solutions
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Ship Your Tower Cranes
Get expert advice on the best shipping solution for your equipment.
Related Equipment
Overview
Tower cranes ship in multiple components: mast sections, slewing unit, jib sections, counter-jib, cab, and counterweights. Efficient logistics require careful coordination of all pieces.
We specialize in tower crane logistics for construction projects, rental fleet moves, and dealer inventory. Our team understands the sequencing required for efficient erection at the job site.
From compact self-erecting cranes to massive luffing jib towers, we handle all types and sizes.
Typical Specifications
| Capacity Range | 2 - 40+ tons (tip load) |
| Mast Sections | 1.5m x 1.5m to 3m x 3m |
| Jib Lengths | 30m - 80m+ |
| Section Weights | 2 - 20 tons each |
Recommended Shipping Methods
Flat Rack Container
RecommendedIdeal for mast sections and jib components.
Standard Container
RecommendedSmaller components, cables, electronics.
Breakbulk
Large volume shipments or oversized bases.
Heavy Haul Trucking
RecommendedInland delivery of all components.
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
- Component inventory and labeling
- Mast section bundling
- Jib section protection
- Electrical component preservation
- Slewing unit securing
- Counterweight individual handling
Common Models We Ship
Frequently Asked Questions
How many containers does a tower crane need?
A typical saddle jib tower crane requires 6-12 flat rack containers for all components. Self-erecting cranes may need only 2-4.
Can tower cranes ship fully assembled?
No, tower cranes always ship disassembled. Only very small self-erecting cranes might transport in a folded configuration.
Do you coordinate erection at the destination?
We focus on logistics. We can coordinate timing with your erection crew and ensure components arrive in the proper sequence.
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 Tower Cranes?
Get a customized quote for your equipment. Our experts handle tower cranes shipments worldwide.