Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market is projected to expand from USD 1.06 billion in 2025 to USD 1.55 billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 6.45%. These cranes act as specialized mobile units within container terminals, tasked with positioning and stacking shipping containers throughout storage yards. Operating on rubber tires enables them to provide exceptional maneuverability and the versatility to switch lanes without the need for fixed track infrastructure. Key factors propelling market expansion include the rising volume of global seaborne trade, which demands increased container throughput, and the pressing need for operational efficiency within congested port environments. Additionally, the modernization of terminal infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels significantly boosts the demand for these flexible handling systems.

Nevertheless, the market encounters substantial obstacles related to the high capital investment and escalating maintenance costs tied to advanced crane models. Terminal operators frequently face financial strain when retrofitting fleets to comply with environmental regulations, a factor that can postpone procurement activities. Data from the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association indicates that in 2024, manufacturers delivered a global total of 540 Rubber Tired Gantry cranes. This statistic underscores the industry's continued dependence on this equipment to sustain supply chain fluidity, even amidst persisting financial challenges.

Market Drivers

The shift toward electrification and hybrid Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes stands as a primary market driver, spurred by rigorous environmental regulations and the necessity to lower operating expenses. To reduce carbon footprints and eliminate tailpipe emissions while upholding high productivity, terminal operators are progressively substituting diesel-powered fleets with battery-electric and hybrid alternatives. This trend is highlighted by substantial procurement initiatives focused on green technology, such as the major order secured by Konecranes in October 2025 for 30 battery-powered RTGs destined for a new Indian container terminal, illustrating the increasing reliance on zero-emission equipment for major greenfield projects.

Simultaneously, the escalation in global seaborne trade and container throughput forces ports to increase capacity and modernize handling infrastructure. As cargo volumes grow, terminals are compelled to deploy advanced gantry cranes to guarantee rapid vessel turnaround times and mitigate yard congestion. This demand is supported by strong traffic statistics from major hubs; according to Upply in April 2025, the world's top 20 ports handled a combined traffic of 414.6 million TEUs in 2024, representing a 7.1% increase over the prior year. Reflecting this surge in equipment demand, Liebherr reported in April 2025 that its maritime cranes segment achieved record revenue of €1.01 billion for the 2024 fiscal year.

Market Challenges

The substantial capital investment necessary for advanced Rubber Tired Gantry cranes poses a significant barrier to market expansion. While terminal operators are under increasing pressure to adopt environmentally sustainable and technologically advanced equipment, the premium acquisition prices of these modern units place a strain on capital expenditure budgets. This financial challenge is exacerbated by higher maintenance costs linked to complex onboard systems, which require expensive components and specialized labor. Consequently, many facilities, especially smaller terminals with limited financial resources, are compelled to postpone purchasing decisions or prolong the lifespan of legacy fleets, thereby diminishing the total volume of new market transactions.

The reluctance to invest in high-cost, advanced configurations is evident in recent industry delivery statistics. According to the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association, manufacturers delivered only 32 Rubber Tired Gantry cranes equipped with automation functionality worldwide in 2024. This figure suggests that although the industry recognizes the benefits of advanced models, the associated financial burdens severely limit their widespread implementation. As a result, the market continues to rely heavily on standard, lower-cost alternatives, which suppresses the potential revenue growth that manufacturers might otherwise achieve through the sale of higher-value equipment.

Market Trends

Emerging crane designs are increasingly integrating smart electronic anti-sway systems and sensor-based collision avoidance technologies to improve container stacking precision and operational safety within high-density yards. These sophisticated mechanisms automatically stabilize loads during lifting and transport, drastically lowering the risk of accidents resulting from container sway or accidental truck chassis lifting. The inclusion of such safety features has become a vital criterion for terminal operators seeking to limit liability and prevent cargo damage; for instance, Konecranes secured an order in November 2025 for four electric Rubber Tired Gantry cranes for the Port of Koper in Slovenia, all equipped with a specialized Truck Lift Prevention system to ensure safe handling operations.

There is also a notable shift toward separating operators from the crane cabin through the use of remote control stations and semi-automated systems, enabling a single operator to oversee multiple cranes from a centralized, ergonomic office setting. This transition not only mitigates the industry-wide shortage of skilled crane operators but also enhances working conditions by removing personnel from hazardous yard environments. Manufacturers are meeting this demand by creating next-generation units designed as "automation-ready" to streamline the move to remote operations. As reported by Port Strategy in May 2025, Liebherr Container Cranes introduced a new portfolio of five enhanced RTG base models, each featuring advanced onboard technology to support optional automation and remote control capabilities.

Key Players Profiled in the Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market

• Konecranes Oyj
• Liebherr Group
• Terex Corporation
• SANY Group
• Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
• Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
• TICO Equipment Co., Ltd.
• Fushun Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.
• Cargotec Corporation
• Faun GmbH

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market, by Type:

• 16-Wheeler
• 8-Wheeler

Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market, by Power Supply:

• Diesel
• Electric
• Hybrid

Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market, by Application:

• Construction
• Oil & Gas
• Shipbuilding & Ports
• Power & Utilities

Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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