The most common is by electric power from the dock (also known as shore power). Flatcars or well cars may also be loaded directly beneath the crane base.Ī crane can be powered by two types of power supply: a diesel engine–driven generator located on top of the crane or electric power from the dock. Straddle carriers, sidelifts, reach stackers, or container lorries then manoeuvre underneath the crane base and collect the containers, rapidly moving them away from the dock and to a storage yard.
The crane also lifts containers from chassis on the dock to load them onto the ship. Once the spreader locks onto the container, the container is lifted, moved over the dock, and placed on a truck chassis (trailer) to be taken to the storage yard. The operator runs the trolley over the ship to lift the cargo, usually containers. The trolley runs along rails located on the top or sides of the boom and girder. The crane is driven by an operator who sits in a cabin suspended from the trolley.
A MAN AG container crane belonging to Patrick Corporation at Port Botany, New South Wales, Australia.