Casper, Phillips & Associates

08/14/2026

Curious about container cranes? Read our blog on the basics. It was written by engineers, not AI. https://www.casperphillips.com/post/container-crane-fundamentals

Container cranes have several common structural and mechanical arrangements. Here we will discuss a few historical examples and the most common structural arrangements.

08/10/2026

Rubber tire gantry cranes are mobile cranes used in container yards for stacking and moving containers. Unlike RMG cranes, RTGs run on rubber tires, giving them flexibility in yard movement. RTG cranes balance mobility and lifting capacity, making them popular in many container terminals worldwide.

Design and Operation: RTG cranes run on rubber tires throughout the yard. They have a wide span to cover multiple container rows and (depending on the intended use) can lift containers over large stacks.

Mobility: RTGs can move freely within the yard, not limited to rails. This allows them to serve multiple stacking areas and adapt to changing yard layouts.

Stacking Capacity: Most RTG's stack containers up to 6 containers high. Beyond that it starts to get difficult. If a crane can lift a container over a stack of 5, we call this 1 over 5.

Power Source: Many RTGs are diesel-powered, but electric and hybrid models are becoming more common to meet emission goals.

08/06/2026

Straddle carriers are specialized vehicles that lift containers from the ground and transport them short distances within the terminal. Straddle carriers are valued for their speed and maneuverability in container yards, especially where space is limited. As straddle carriers get taller it increases their risk for tipping when turning at high speeds, especially when handling containers.

Design: These carriers straddle the container, lifting it from the top with a spreader. They can pick up containers from trucks, stacks, or railcars.

Flexibility: Straddle carriers can move containers quickly across the yard and position them precisely for stacking or loading.

Capacity: Typically, they handle one container at a time and can stack containers up to 3 high. A common rated load is 41 metric tonnes.

Power Source: Many straddle carriers are diesel-powered, but electric and hybrid models are becoming more common to reduce emissions.

08/03/2026

Rail mounted gantry cranes operate within container yards, mainly used for stacking containers in storage blocks and loading containers onto railcars.

Design and Operation: RMG cranes run on fixed rails laid out in the yard. They have a wide span to cover multiple container rows and (depending on the intended use) can lift containers over large stacks.

Function: These cranes move containers between trucks, trains, and storage stacks. They are essential for intermodal terminals where containers transfer between rail and road.

Advantages: RMG cranes provide precise container placement and retrieval, improving yard space utilization and reducing container handling times.

Disadvantages: Once the yard is configured it is very expensive to modify.

Power Source: It is quite common to run RMG's off of electrical power. It is becoming rare for RMG cranes to be diesel powered.

07/29/2026

Shuttle boom cranes are popular where the overall height of the cranes is restricted. The most common source of a height restriction is a nearby airport. Rather than rotating the boom up, the shuttle boom rolls in and out between the operating and stowed positions.

07/27/2026

Why are ship to shore container cranes customized for each client?

-Environmental Conditions such as wind or earthquakes
-Some need to be delivered under bridges
-Each terminal has different infrastructure

Building a standard crane that is shipped on a standard vessel under a standard bridge that is designed for a standard wind speed and earthquake is impractical. Unfortunately the port infrastructure isn't standard either. This is why leading crane manufacturers tailor their designs to the project specifications.

07/14/2026

Check out these new friends for our friends over at CWIT! CP&A provided design review services to ensure the cranes met the purchase specifications.

05/26/2026

Choosing lifting equipment should never come down to price alone.

Choosing lifting equipment should never come down to price alone, but it remains very common to accept the lowest bid. While cost should be considered, it must be weighed against other aspects of procurement, says Richard Phillips, mechanical engineer at Casper, Phillips & Associates.

05/21/2026

Ever wonder how container cranes develop cracks? Read about the basics below:

There is a trend for ports to push their container cranes harder for longer, which can lead to cracks and other fatigue-related issues, says Richard Phillips, mechanical engineer, Casper, Phillips & Associates Inc. (CP&A).

05/19/2026

It is common for procurement projects to award projects based on lowest price. However not all cranes are created equal and here’s why:

As the crane industry rallies around the theme for this year’s Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) — ‘Not all lifting equipment is created equal’ — it’s worth reminding all stakeholders of the risks involved with short-sighted procurement.