In 2023, the marine crane market has soared to new heights!
Are you unsure about how to select the top marine crane company in this rapidly expanding market?
You’re in the right place! We have compiled a list of the top 20 marine crane companies in the world and provided detailed profiles for each of them.
It contains the history, achievements, capabilities, and product ranges of these industry leaders and renowned crane brands.
How do we analyze?
We consulted industry experts, analysts, and researchers, and obtained analysis reports from renowned technology research and advisory agencies such as Technavio, Contrive Datum Insights (CDI), and Global Insight Services (GIS).
We also collected information from the latest annual reports of these 20 marine crane companies, using these criteria to identify them, along with considerations of company size, visibility, reputation, global reach, and innovation.
At a Glance
Explore our carefully selected list of the top 20 marine crane companies to watch in 2023, simply click to navigate to detailed content:
- Palfinger Marine
- Heila Cranes S.p.A.
- Liebherr Group
- DMW Marine Group
- Macgregor
- Allied Systems
- HS.MARINE
- EK Marine Ltd
- Appleton Marine
- North Pacific Crane Company
- Konecranes
- National Oilwell Varco
- Huisman Equipment
- Seatrax
- Thistle Marine
- Dongnam Marine Crane
- Melcal
- OUCO Industry
- Cormach
- SKK Corporation
1. Palfinger Marine
- Established: 1932
- Address: Headquartered in Salzburg, Franz-Wolfram-Scherer-Straße 24, Austria
- Main Products: Cranes, winches, lifting and handling equipment, davit systems, rescue boats, lifeboats, and other related solutions.
The Palfinger Group is a leading manufacturer of deck equipment and life-saving equipment, and Palfinger Marine is part of the Palfinger Group. As an innovative family business, it boasts a vast network of over 5,000 sales and service centers worldwide, branches and offices in 33 countries worldwide, with a workforce of more than 12,000 employees.
Palfinger Marine specializes in providing lifting and handling solutions for the maritime and offshore industries. It has a strong presence in sectors such as offshore, oil and gas, marine commerce, cargo transportation, aquaculture, and more. The company also offers a comprehensive range of solutions for cruise, governmental, and wind energy applications.
With rich experience and leading technology, a worldwide sales and service network, perfect service and process, and intelligent and digital support, Palfinger Marine Cranes has become a well-known crane brand in this field. In 2023, Palfinger Group generated a record-breaking revenue of 2,445.9 million euros.
2. Heila Cranes S.p.A.
- Established: 1972
- Address: Via Romana, Poviglio, 42028, Italy
- Main Products: Fixed Boom Cranes, Telescopic Boom Cranes, Foldable & Telescopic Boom Cranes, Jib Crane, cement manipulators.
Heila Crane is a leading global supplier of marine cranes, with a rich history of providing quality products to the marine, dredging, and other offshore industries for over 40 years. With changing times, the company has also expanded its focus to include the offshore wind farm construction industry.
Heial’s strengths lie in the manufacture of large-capacity cranes, subsea and harsh environment applications, and heave compensation technology. In addition, the Heilatronic (safety and control system) they have developed for their products can also do effective maintenance and support cranes.
They are known for their wide range of crane capacities and their unwavering commitment to safety, durability, and customer satisfaction. With over 5,250 marine cranes delivered for diverse vessel types, Heila has earned a reputation for reliability and excellence in the industry.
3. Liebherr Group
- Established: 1949
- Address: Headquartered in Bulle, Switzerland
- Main Products: Port equipment, ship cranes, offshore cranes, winches, transshipment equipment, and handling systems.
Liebherr Group is a diversified group of companies that is a leading global manufacturer of machinery and components. It was founded in Switzerland in 1949 by Hans Liebherr. Today, it has more than 140 companies and 48,000 employees in more than 50 countries on all continents, with subsidiaries and agencies worldwide.
They are known for their long history and extensive experience in the maritime industry, offering a wide range of crane solutions for ports, ships, and offshore applications. Liebherr has a well-organized global service network that produces original spare parts for machines, offers comprehensive product training courses, and provide crane overhaul, transport and assembly services.
Liebherr marine cranes are equipped with advanced technologies, such as electronic control systems, precision sensors, and hydraulic systems. In addition, they offer innovative solutions tailored to all types of maritime requirements. For example, specialized cranes for applications such as offshore wind farm installation, heavy lifting in shipyards and cargo handling in ports.
With their tailor-made solutions, extensive experience, and advanced technology, Liebherr Group has now become a reliable partner for marine crane solutions trusted by users worldwide. In 2023, Liebherr’s total turnover was € 14,042 million, of which the marine crane sector had a turnover of €977 million.
4. DMW Marine Group
- Established: 1995
- Address: Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, United States
- Main Products: Knuckle boom marine cranes, telescopic boom cranes, stiff-boom cranes, jib (knuckle) marine cranes, and various accessories.
DMW Marine Group is a well-known global provider of marine cranes and lifting solutions, headquartered in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, United States, with approximately 200 employees. With an annual turnover between US$10 million – US$50 million, DMW Marine Group specializes in providing marine cranes for various applications, including offshore oil extraction, marine survey and research, aquaculture, yachts, support vessels, and more.
DMW Marine Group has a strong track record of working closely with navy and government departments, including police and fire departments, showcasing their extensive experience in custom cranes. They are known for their ability to provide precisely designed, tailor-made products to meet specific customer requirements, and they work closely with their customers through rich documentation references.
With a wide range of crane types and features, DMW Marine Group offers custom solutions to cater to diverse marine lifting needs. If you are looking for custom solutions, a wide range of crane types and features, DMW will be a great choice for you.
5. Macgregor
- Established: 1937
- Address: Headquartered at Oostrum, Friesland, Netherlands
- Main Products: Marine cranes, offshore cranes, winches, bulker cranes, offloading systems, A-frames, and other maritime equipment.
MacGregor and Effer both belong to the Hiab Group, the difference is that Effer focuses on truck cranes, while MacGregor’s marine cranes are more representative. With over 30 global service networks and 1,978 employees, MacGregor ensures prompt and efficient support to its customers around the world.
In 2023, MacGregor reported sales of €733 million, a significant increase of 29% compared to 2022. Reflects its strong presence and success in the marine crane market. Their marine cranes are used in various applications, including offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, and shipbuilding.
Known for its innovation, quality and commitment to sustainability, MacGregor is recognized as the industry’s top choice for marine crane technology.
On 14 November 2024, Cargotec announced the sale of its MacGregor business to Triton for €480 million, allowing it to focus on Hiab. The sale will be completed by mid-2025.
6. Allied Systems
- Established: 1976
- Address: Sherwood, Oregon, United States
- Main Products: Standard and specialized cranes, davits, handling arms, winches, A-frames, and power units.
Allied Systems, this company was founded in 1976 and started as a manufacturer of material handling equipment in Sherwood, Oregon, USA. Now they have become an industry-leading manufacturer with multiple product lines. Allied Crane has also become one of the most well-known crane brands in the United States.
They produce a wide range of marine handling equipment, with advanced functions such as low-temperature resistance, Explosion Proof, Constant Tension, Active Heave Compensation, etc., which are used in a variety of applications, including rescue, research, land-based, cargo handling, hose handling, ROV handling, oil platforms, military and other fields.
One notable product is their davits, including straight-arm davits, Cradle-style Davits and Dual Point davits, which are rugged, fully customizable and come with SOLAS approval.
Durability can be said to be the biggest advantage of the Allied Marine Crane. The quality of their reliable equipment ensures that they occupy an important position in the offshore industry.
Allied Systems may have annual revenue of $120.5M and employ approximately 400 people.
7. HS.MARINE
- Established: 1999
- Address: Sabbioneta, Lombardy, Italy.
- Main Products: Various winches, marine cranes, hydraulic systems, and other professional services.
HS.MARINE is a leading manufacturer of marine and offshore cranes, Yes, they specialize only in manufacturing marine cranes. They boast the widest range of models in the world, with lifting capacities ranging from 5 tons to 1000 tons. Despite their annual turnover is less than $5 million, HS.MARINE is known for its high-quality products and excellent craftsmanship.
HS.MARINE offers a wide variety of crane types, including various jibs, power forms, functions, and features, allowing customers to find the perfect fit for their needs. All their products are specially designed, carefully manufactured, and assembled to ensure durability and reliability.
One of the key advantages of HS.MARINE is their commitment to product quality. Buying HS marine crane also means that you will get a machine that meets the specific load requirements and has high-value retention.
8. EK Marine Ltd
- Established: 1999
- Address: Killybegs, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
- Main Products: Various winches, marine cranes, hydraulic systems, and other professional services.
EK Marine Ltd, founded in Ireland in 1999, is a professional deck equipment manufacturer and service provider. They have a team of experts with extensive knowledge in marine, mechanical, welding, electrical, and material fields, allowing them to offer a wide range of services to their customers, including design, manufacture, and installation of ships, equipment, and parts.
One of the areas of expertise for EK Marine Ltd is repair and maintenance, including rebuilding and replacement of various marine cranes. Their team of experts ensures that customers receive top-notch service and experience when working with them.
With their expertise in deck equipment and commitment to providing excellent service, EK Marine Ltd has established itself as a reliable partner for marine equipment needs.
9. Appleton Marine
- Established: 1972
- Address: 3030 E Pershing St, Appleton, Wisconsin, 54911, United States
- Main Products: Cranes, davits, winches, capstan, windless, custom-designed machinery, and other equipment.
Appleton Marine is a reputable American manufacturer that specializes in marine cranes and deck equipment. They are known for designing and manufacturing bespoke offshore and marine cranes, as well as providing a wide range of lifting equipment and handling solutions for various industries including mining, government, offshore, marinas, and shipyards.
One of the notable advantages of Appleton Marine is that all their products are original and produced in their US factory. This allows them to provide efficient and cost-effective solutions to their customers through a “turnkey” approach, saving customers time and money on their projects.
With an annual revenue of approximately $7 million, Appleton Marine has a strong presence in the marine industry.
10. North Pacific Crane Company
- Established: 2004
- Address: 10734 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, Washington, 98125, United States
- Main Products: Fixed Boom Cranes, Telescopic Cranes, Knuckle Boom Cranes, Refuse Equipment Cranes, and Offshore Cranes.
North Pacific Crane Company (NPCC) is a renowned manufacturer of marine, offshore, and dock cranes. Although the company was officially founded in 2004, NPCC’s crane brand name “Alaska Marine Crane” dates back to 1978, so it can be said that they have a wealth of experience in crane design and construction.
NPCC focuses on producing marine cranes with various lifting capacities that are used in a wide range of applications, including Tug & Barge, Navy vessels, ROV Handling, Cargo handling, and Fishing. Their products are known for their high quality, durability, and reliability.
With over 2,000 cranes produced worldwide, NPCC has achieved an annual turnover of about US$5 million. They have a team of experienced crane engineers, sales staff, and production employees who are dedicated to designing and manufacturing top-notch cranes. NPCC’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has made them a respected player in the marine crane industry.
11. Konecranes
- Established: 1994
- Address: Headquartered in Hyvinkää, Finland
- Main Products: Port cranes, overhead Cranes, barge cranes, portal cranes, crane parts, container handling equipment, forklifts, etc.
Konecranes, a global leader in the supply of cranes and material handling equipment, was established in 1994 by incorporating the expertise of KONE Corporation in crane construction, spanning almost a century.
As a leading enterprise group in lifting, Konecranes provides a wide range of solutions to its customers, from manufacturing to service. Today, Konecranes specializes in providing safe and efficient lifting equipment and high-quality service to ports, terminals, shipyards, and barges.
What sets Konecranes apart from others is its ability to provide a full range of services, from consulting, equipment, service, repair, maintenance, training and software, catering to the specific needs of its customers. Choosing Konecranes ensures a streamlined process and efficient services, saving customers both time and energy.
12. National Oilwell Varco
- Established: 1841
- Address: Headquartered in Houston, Texas, United States
- Main Crane Products: Offshore Cranes, Subsea cranes, Lattice Boom Cranes, Trident Cranes, Bulk Handling Cranes, and A-Frame Cranes.
National Oilwell Varco (NOV Inc.) is a global industrial equipment manufacturer with a history spanning almost 150 years. They operate in almost every field involving oil, gas, and drilling, as well as the aerospace, construction, and mining industries, among others, supplying equipment and components to these industries.
Also as a marine crane company, we are particularly interested in the offshore cranes offered by NOV. They provide customers with both standard series models and customized offshore cranes, specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of the offshore oil and gas industry.
NOV equips its manufactured products with an AHC system and Kinetic Energy Recovery System to provide a stable platform for lifting and lowering loads in rough sea conditions. This enables NOV cranes to work in harsh marine environments.
With their diverse capabilities, extensive relevant industry experience and resources, and strong global influence, NOV can secure large-scale orders from many countries and multinational companies.
13. Huisman Equipment
- Established: 1988
- Address: Headquartered in Schiedam, Netherlands
- Main Products: A wide range of cranes, wind turbines install cranes, floating cranes, pipelay systems, drilling equipment, and winches.
Huisman Equipment is a Dutch company that designs and manufactures machinery and equipment products, including marine cranes and technical solutions, for the oil and gas, renewable energy, leisure, and civil industries.
Huisman has a long history, it was founded in 1929 and has more than 30 years of experience in crane manufacturing. In addition, Huisman has established a service network operating globally. Through remote and offline support, the company can promptly assist customers in coping with challenges.
Their marine cranes are used in a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, Pipelay, Drilling, Wind Turbine Installation, and shipbuilding. Huisman is internationally renowned for providing complete turnkey solutions for equipment and high reliability during product operation.
14. Seatrax
- Established: 1988
- Address: Houston, Texas, United States
- Main Products: Hoists, offshore cranes for petroleum, portable cranes, vessel-mounted construction cranes, dock cranes, leg cranes, and specialty/custom design cranes.
Seatrax is an American company located in Houston, Texas. It was established in 1975 and has nearly 500 employees with an annual turnover of US$85.7 million. The company provides reliable cranes for offshore oil and gas operations as well as various commercial activities.
Seatrax specializes in the design and manufacture of pedestal cranes, which are large cranes designed to perform tough offshore jobs, and the company claims that a single machine can last around 30 years.
Seatrax has specially designed the crane structure, mechanism, and human-machine interface to withstand various complex sea conditions and high-load lifting needs. They have innovatively simplified the complex components inside the equipment to facilitate maintenance, and also provided the operator with a spacious cab and convenient operation modes. As a result, Seatrax cranes have become a popular choice for many customers in the oil and gas industry.
15. Thistle Marine
- Established: 1978
- Address: 5 Baltic Pl, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, AB42 1TF, United Kingdom
- Main Products: Marine cranes, fishing cranes, landing and discharge cranes, power blockheads, capstans, power packs, sheaves, winches, reels, and accessories.
Thistle Group (Thistle Marine) is a Scottish company established in 1978 with an annual turnover of less than or equal to $5 million. The company specializes in supplying cranes and deck equipment to customers in industries such as offshore commercial activities, fishing, and oil and gas development.
Thistle Marine has a well-rounded team of experts with proven capabilities and industry knowledge to solve users’ most demanding problems. Their advantage lies in their ability to provide customers with the most suitable design solutions within their budget.
In addition, if you need to purchase a crane that occupies less space on your vessel, you can consider their well-known crane brand “Guerra Marine Cranes”. This series of articulated cranes has short columns and folding booms, which can be easily installed in compact places.
16. Dongnam Marine Crane
- Established: 1988
- Address: Headquartered in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, South Korea
- Main Products: Provision Crane, hose handling crane, industry crane, floating cranes, special davits, and other offshore equipment.
Dongnam Marine Cranes Co., Ltd. (DMC) is a leading crane company with extensive experience in the machinery industry. With 200 employees and an annual revenue of $4 million, the company is based in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, South Korea.
In 2018, the company changed its name to SANGSANGIN SHIP MACHINERY Co., Ltd (SSISM). They specialize in the production of marine and offshore cranes, as well as deck equipment and other offshore machinery. The company’s success can be attributed to South Korea’s thriving shipbuilding industry, which has helped it emerge as one of Asia’s top crane manufacturers.
DMC boasts multiple patents for offshore cranes, and its commitment to delivery time and customer satisfaction has enhanced its competitiveness. Its dedication to quality and service has earned it a reputation as a professional offshore and deck crane supplier.
17. Melcal
- Established: 2007
- Address: Calatafimi-Segesta, Italy
- Main Products: Various cranes of stiff, foldable, knuckle, telescopic and jib boom, subsea cranes, roof cranes, pipe and hose handling cranes, A-frames, winches, etc.
Melcal is an Italian company that specializes in marine and offshore cranes. It was founded in 1984 and serves industries such as wind, offshore, dredging, navy, cruise, research, and fishing. The company offers a wide range of products, including marine and offshore cranes, winches, and specialty cranes designed for specific applications.
Melcal places a strong emphasis on the quality and safety of its products, and also provides installation, maintenance, and repair services for its cranes. With a strong service network operating worldwide, Melcal’s main markets are in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America.
18. OUCO Industry
- Established: 1984
- Address: Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Main Products: Various Marine Cranes, Offshore Cranes, Grab Buckets, ECO Hopper, Container Spreader, Marine Winches, Rescue Davits, Hatch Covers, Watertight Doors, etc.
OUCO is a leading marine crane company in China, with a workforce of 200 employees. Our business operations extend globally and have brand recognition in the Middle East and Asia. Turnover of $11 million in 2022.
With over forty years of experience in the industry, our expert team develops lifting equipment that meets the specific requirements of marine and offshore platform applications. We can provide equipment that meets industry standards such as API 2C, Solas, or any IACS certificates.
Our team has the expertise to provide customers with end-to-end solutions, from design to manufacturing and follow-up services, to meet the specific needs of our customers.
We carefully select all components of the crane, from small bolts, covers, and plugs to cabs or winches. All of these are rigorously inspected and come with valid certificates. Additionally, if customers encounter any difficulties, OUCO’s experts can come to their vessels to provide installation guidance, training, and other services.
19. Cormach
- Established: 1960
- Address: Montichiari, Italy
- Main Products: Light, medium and heavy-duty fixed marine cranes, telescopic cranes, special cranes.
Cormach is an Italian crane manufacturer that began by producing lorry cranes. The company offers a wide range of cranes, from light to heavy lifting capabilities, and has a dealer network worldwide.
Cormach uses a technology called “Central Boom” that provides its cranes with excellent kinematic stability, enabling them to work safely at higher heights and with higher load capacities. Although the base of the Cormach crane is large, it achieves even load distribution and compact dimensions.
In the marine industry, Cormach specializes in stationary marine cranes, providing customers with reliable and durable products that can be customized to their specific needs and requirements.
20. SKK Corporation
- Established: 1956
- Address: Kochi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan
- Main Products: Small Marine Crane, Dredging Crane, Floating Crane, Piling Crane, Reclaimer, Winch, Spud, Grab Buckets, etc.
SKK is a Japanese manufacturer of cranes and offshore construction machinery. It provides various types of lifting and construction machinery for marine and land applications. It has nearly 200 employees and an annual turnover of between $5-10 million.
SKK specializes in large-scale, heavy-duty, and multi-purpose lattice boom cranes that are installed on dredging or dredging ships and pontoons, and are often used for port maintenance, disaster prevention, and offshore construction.
SKK is a good choice if you require seabed piling, dredging sand, stones, various sediments, and offshore lifting. They also provide long-term service and support to their customers.
Conclusion
These are the top 20 best global companies for marine cranes in 2023, as compiled by OUCO.
The importance of marine cranes in the maritime industry cannot be overstated. Choosing an excellent company to work with is essential to ensure the continuous improvement of your business.
We hope that this list will increase your understanding of this industry or help you solve the problem of selecting a marine crane company.
If you have any feedback or insights, please feel free to share them with us. We will greatly appreciate your valuable input.
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