Offshore Cranes Market – Powering Marine Operations and Offshore Energy Projects

According to a new report published by Introspective Market Research, titled, Offshore Cranes Market by Type, Lifting Capacity, and Application, The Global Offshore Cranes Market Size Was Valued at USD 31.61 Billion in 2024 and is Projected to Reach USD 81.10 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2025 to 2032.

Introduction / Market Overview

The Offshore Cranes Market plays a crucial role in supporting offshore oil & gas exploration, marine lifting operations, subsea construction, and renewable energy projects. These cranes are designed to withstand extreme weather and deep-water conditions, enabling heavy-duty lifting, cargo transfer, and material handling across offshore platforms and vessels. Compared to traditional onshore cranes, offshore cranes offer superior corrosion resistance, dynamic load handling, and greater operational flexibility in remote environments.

Increasing offshore oil & gas activities, particularly in deepwater and ultra-deepwater reserves, are fueling large-scale deployment of offshore cranes globally. Additionally, rapid growth in offshore wind projects is accelerating market expansion, as heavy-lift cranes are required for turbine installation, maintenance, and subsea infrastructure development. Technological advancements in automation, digital twin monitoring, and remote-control operation are expected to make offshore crane systems more efficient, safer, and cost-effective over the coming years.

Growth Driver

A key growth driver for the Offshore Cranes Market is the increasing investment in offshore oil & gas exploration projects and deep-sea drilling activities. As conventional onshore energy reserves deplete, companies are shifting toward offshore fields to meet rising global energy demand. This requires heavy-duty crane systems capable of operating in harsh marine environments, ensuring safe load handling, drilling equipment movement, and logistics transport. Furthermore, the expansion of floating production systems and subsea processing facilities is increasing crane deployments across offshore rigs and support vessels, thereby driving long-term market demand.

Market Opportunity

A major market opportunity lies in the rapid expansion of offshore wind farms worldwide. With global energy policies shifting toward low-carbon power generation, offshore wind capacity is expected to surge over the next decade. Offshore cranes are essential for wind turbine installation, nacelle lifting, blade transport, and ongoing maintenance operations. The rise of floating wind platforms further increases the need for high-load capacity cranes that can operate in deeper waters. Manufacturers offering intelligent, remote-monitoring and AI-assisted cranes will benefit substantially from this transition, capturing new revenue opportunities in green maritime infrastructure.

6. Detailed Segmentation

Offshore Cranes Market, Segmentation

Type

The Type segment is further classified into Knuckle Boom Cranes, Telescopic Boom Cranes, Lattice Boom Cranes, and Others. Among these, Knuckle Boom Cranes accounted for the highest market share in 2024. Their versatility, compact structure, and high load-handling efficiency make them ideal for confined offshore spaces and dynamic lifting operations. Knuckle boom cranes offer superior operational safety with better motion control and are widely adopted across oil rigs, floating platforms, and offshore service vessels. Their ability to withstand severe weather conditions and perform precision material handling gives them a competitive edge over other crane types.

Lifting Capacity

The Lifting Capacity segment is further classified into Up to 500 Tons, 500–3000 Tons, and Above 3000 Tons. Among these, the 500–3000 Tons sub-segment accounted for the highest market share in 2024. This capacity range is widely preferred for offshore wind turbine installation, major component transfer, and heavy deck equipment lifting. The segment benefits from increased offshore development projects that require mid-range high power cranes for installation vessels and maintenance fleets. Ongoing upgrades in hydraulic systems, structural strength, and fatigue-resistant materials are enhancing operational reliability, supporting broad adoption across multiple marine environments.

Some of the Leading/Active Market Players Are-

• Liebherr Group (Germany)
• Konecranes PLC (Finland)
• NOV Inc. (USA)
• Seatrax, Inc. (USA)
• Palfinger Marine GmbH (Austria)
• Huisman Equipment b.v. (Netherlands)
• TTS Group ASA (Norway)
• Heila Cranes SpA (Italy)
• Cargotec Corporation (Finland)
• MacGregor (Finland)
• Zoomlion Heavy Industry (China)
• Sany Group (China)
• The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (USA)
• Wolffkran International AG (Switzerland)
  and other active players.

Key Industry Developments

• News 1: In August 2024, a major crane manufacturer introduced a next-generation hybrid-power offshore crane with improved lifting efficiency and reduced emissions. The system uses intelligent hydraulic control, enabling operators to perform heavy deck lifts with minimal fuel consumption and enhanced safety standards across offshore vessels.
• News 2: In March 2025, a leading offshore wind developer awarded a large-scale contract for high-capacity cranes to support deepwater turbine installation. The new cranes will be integrated into next-gen installation vessels, improving load management capabilities, installation time, and operational stability in turbulent sea conditions.

Key Findings of the Study

• Knuckle Boom Cranes dominated the Type segment in 2024.
• 500–3000 Tons lifting capacity accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024.
• Offshore wind energy development presents strong future market opportunity.
• Asia-Pacific and Europe expected to lead installation demand through 2032.