GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Gantry crane

The gantry crane is the defining piece of equipment at container terminals and intermodal yards where large volumes of heavy load units must be moved efficiently.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gantry_crane

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

The gantry crane is the defining piece of equipment at container terminals and intermodal yards where large volumes of heavy load units must be moved efficiently. Two vertical leg structures support a horizontal bridge beam, along which a trolley with the hoisting mechanism travels; this allows precise lateral positioning of loads across the full working span. In container handling, gantry cranes are built either as rubber-tyred gantries (RTG), which move freely across the yard on pneumatic tyres, or as rail-mounted gantries (RMG), which run on fixed tracks for higher positioning accuracy. The distinction matters operationally: RTGs offer greater flexibility in lane allocation, while RMGs are better suited to highly automated stacking blocks. Not to be confused with overhead or bridge cranes, which are suspended from a building structure and used primarily in enclosed industrial facilities.