Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (16-Wheeler, 8-Wheeler), By Power Supply (Diesel, Electric, Hybrid), By Application (Construction, Oil & Gas, Shipbuilding & Ports, Power & Utilities), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1067.01 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.45%
Fastest Growing Segment	Electric
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 1552.54 Million

Market Overview

The Global Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market will grow from USD 1067.01 Million in 2025 to USD 1552.54 Million by 2031 at a 6.45% CAGR. Rubber Tired Gantry cranes are specialized mobile equipment utilized in container terminals to position and stack shipping containers across storage yards. Operating on rubber tires, they offer superior maneuverability and the flexibility to change lanes without fixed track infrastructure. The primary drivers fueling market growth include the escalating volume of global seaborne trade which necessitates higher container throughput and the urgent requirement for operational efficiency in congested ports. Furthermore, the modernization of existing terminal infrastructures to handle larger vessel capacities significantly propels the demand for these versatile handling units.

However, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the high capital investment and rising maintenance costs associated with advanced models. Terminal operators often struggle with the financial burden of retrofitting fleets to meet environmental regulations which can delay procurement. According to the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association, in 2024, manufacturers delivered a total of 540 Rubber Tired Gantry cranes globally. This figure highlights the sustained reliance on this equipment to maintain supply chain fluidity despite financial hurdles.

Key Market Drivers

The transition toward electrification and hybrid Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes is a primary driver reshaping the market, fueled by stringent environmental regulations and the need to reduce operational costs. Terminal operators are increasingly replacing diesel-powered fleets with battery-electric and hybrid models to minimize carbon footprints and eliminate tailpipe emissions while maintaining high productivity. This shift is evidenced by significant procurement activities centered on green technology. According to Konecranes, October 2025, the company secured a major order for 30 battery-powered RTGs for a new container terminal in India, demonstrating the growing reliance on zero-emission equipment for large-scale greenfield projects.

Concurrently, the surge in global seaborne trade and container throughput compels ports to expand capacity and upgrade handling infrastructure. As cargo volumes rise, terminals must deploy advanced gantry cranes to ensure rapid vessel turnaround and prevent yard congestion. This demand is substantiated by robust traffic figures in major hubs. According to Upply, April 2025, the world's top 20 ports generated a consolidated traffic of 414.6 million TEUs in 2024, marking an increase of 7.1% compared to the previous year. Reflecting this equipment demand, Liebherr reported in April 2025 that revenue in its maritime cranes segment reached a record €1,012 million for the 2024 business year.

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Key Market Challenges

The significant capital investment required for advanced Rubber Tired Gantry cranes presents a formidable obstacle to market growth. Terminal operators are increasingly required to adopt environmentally friendly and technologically capable equipment, yet the premium acquisition costs of these modern units strain capital expenditure budgets. This financial burden is further compounded by the elevated maintenance costs associated with complex onboard systems, which demand specialized labor and expensive components. As a result, many facilities, particularly smaller terminals with limited funding, are forced to delay procurement decisions or extend the service life of legacy fleets, thereby reducing the overall volume of new market transactions.

This hesitation to invest in high-cost, advanced configurations is reflected in recent industry delivery figures. According to the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association, in 2024, manufacturers delivered 32 Rubber Tired Gantry cranes featuring automation functionality globally. This figure suggests that while the industry acknowledges the utility of advanced models, the associated financial implications severely restrict their widespread adoption. Consequently, the market remains heavily reliant on standard, lower-cost alternatives, which dampens the potential revenue growth that manufacturers could realize from higher-value equipment sales.

Key Market Trends

Implementation of Advanced Anti-Sway and Safety Technologies
New crane designs are increasingly incorporating smart electronic anti-sway systems and sensor-based collision avoidance technology to enhance container stacking precision and operational safety in high-density yards. These advanced mechanisms automatically stabilize the load during lifting and travel, significantly reducing the risk of accidents caused by container sway or truck chassis lifting. The integration of such safety features is becoming a critical procurement criterion for terminal operators aiming to minimize liability and cargo damage. According to Konecranes, November 2025, the company secured an order for four electric Rubber Tired Gantry cranes for the Port of Koper in Slovenia, which will be equipped with the specialized Truck Lift Prevention system to ensure safe and precise container handling operations.

Transition to Remote-Controlled and Semi-Automated Operations
There is a distinct shift toward decoupling operators from the crane cabin, utilizing remote control stations and semi-automated systems that allow a single operator to supervise multiple cranes from a centralized, ergonomic office environment. This transition not only addresses the industry-wide shortage of skilled crane operators but also improves working conditions by removing personnel from hazardous yard environments. Manufacturers are responding to this demand by designing next-generation units that are "automation-ready," facilitating a smoother migration to remote operations. According to Port Strategy, May 2025, Liebherr Container Cranes unveiled a new portfolio comprising five enhanced RTG base models, all of which feature advanced onboard technology designed to support optional automation and remote control functionality.

Segmental Insights

The electric propulsion segment represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market, driven principally by stringent environmental mandates aimed at decarbonizing maritime logistics. Port authorities globally are increasingly transitioning toward electrified equipment to comply with emission standards established by entities such as the International Maritime Organization. Furthermore, this shift is accelerated by the operational necessity to reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel prices and minimize the maintenance requirements associated with traditional diesel engines. Consequently, terminal operators are prioritizing electric gantry cranes to achieve long-term sustainability and operational cost efficiency.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the global Rubber Tired Gantry Crane market due to substantial maritime trade volumes and ongoing investments in port infrastructure. Rapid industrialization in countries like China and India has necessitated the expansion of container terminals to manage increased cargo throughput efficiently. Furthermore, government initiatives aimed at upgrading logistics networks drive the procurement of heavy handling equipment. The high concentration of major ports and manufacturing hubs within the region ensures a continuous demand for these cranes to support robust export and import operations.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Liebherr Container Cranes launched a new generation of rubber-tired gantry cranes to commemorate twenty-five years of development in this sector. The refreshed portfolio included five core models designed to address specific energy and emission targets, ranging from fully electric units powered by conductor bars or cable reeling drums to hybrid versions integrating supercapacitors or battery storage. This launch emphasized the manufacturer's focus on sustainability, automation, and operational versatility, allowing terminal operators to select configurations that minimized fuel consumption and aligned with their environmental objectives.
• In September 2024, Konecranes received an order for five hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes from CMA CGM Kaohsiung Terminal Co. Limited for its operations in Taiwan. These cranes, scheduled for delivery by mid-2025, featured battery technology paired with small diesel generators to significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The equipment included advanced smart features such as auto-steering and stack collision prevention to enhance safety and efficiency. This collaboration underscored the terminal's commitment to modernizing its infrastructure with sustainable container handling solutions that utilized regenerative braking energy.
• In September 2024, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) dispatched a significant shipment of port equipment, including thirteen rubber-tired gantry cranes, to the Kribi Deep Sea Port in Cameroon. This delivery supported the second phase of the port's development, which aimed to expand its container handling capacity. The cranes featured a safe working load of 41 tons and were designed to stack containers one-over-six high. This logistics milestone highlighted the manufacturer's role in supplying critical infrastructure to growing African ports, facilitating increased trade volume and operational efficiency in the region.
• In May 2024, Mitsui E&S and its subsidiary PACECO Corp. commenced the commercial operation of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered rubber-tired gantry crane at the Port of Los Angeles. This deployment marked the first time a fully hydrogen-powered RTG entered commercial service globally, supporting the port's initiative to eliminate diesel emissions. The crane, equipped with a fuel-cell power pack designed by the company, demonstrated the capability to operate with zero emissions while matching the performance of conventional diesel-powered machinery, thereby setting a new standard for decarbonized port logistics.

Key Market Players

• 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

By Type	By Power Supply	By Application	By Region
16-Wheeler 8-Wheeler	Diesel Electric Hybrid	Construction Oil & Gas Shipbuilding & Ports Power & Utilities	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Rubber Tired Gantry Crane Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• 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
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE