Top Chinese Overhead Crane Manufacturers: Leading Companies in General, Port, Metallurgical Cranes

Overhead crane manufacturers have been central to China's rise as a global force in crane production. As an industry insider with over 15 years of experience, I, Zora Zhao, have witnessed firsthand the remarkable transformation of China’s crane manufacturing sector. Today, the country offers a diverse range of high-quality cranes across multiple industries, backed by innovation, scale, and technical strength.

From general industrial cranes to specialized port and metallurgical cranes, Chinese manufacturers have set the standard for innovation, reliability, and performance. In this article, I will explore some of the most influential Chinese crane manufacturers, categorized by their specialization: general cranes, port cranes, and metallurgical cranes. These companies are not only shaping the domestic market but are also making significant strides in global crane markets. Whether you’re looking to source cranes for large-scale projects or specialized needs, understanding the key players in each category is essential for making informed purchasing decisions.

Manufacturers	Core Products	Domestic Reputation	International Reputation	Number of Patents	Employees	ESG
ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries)	Leading in port crane technology, offering STS, RTG, RMG, reach stackers, screw unloaders, automated yard systems, and offshore heavy-lift vessels.	136	7290	1626	8304	A-
DHHI (Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry)	Provides core equipment for bulk and container handling, including STS, RMG, RTG, and ship unloaders.	82	620	761	5834	A-
Henan Mine Crane	Major Chinese crane manufacturer, specializing in electric hoists, overhead and gantry cranes, grab, foundry, and explosion-proof cranes.	476	260	115	5100	–
WEIHUA	Offers overhead and gantry cranes, smart and new-style cranes, port and metallurgical cranes, light-duty equipment, and conveyor systems.	230	840	243		–
NUCLEON (Xinxiang)	Known for modern Chinese-style cranes, including overhead/gantry cranes, explosion-proof cranes, hoists, and intelligent systems.	–	–	66	1500	–
TZ (Taiyuan Heavy Industry)	Focuses on heavy-duty metallurgical cranes like casting, charging, electromagnetic, and slab clamp cranes.	613	290	1160	4999	A-
Henan Dafang	Well-established in overhead and gantry cranes, electric hoists, and transfer carts.	–	–	18	2600	–
EUROCRANE (China)	Comprehensive lifting solutions: overhead, gantry, jib cranes, light systems, and specialty cranes for cleanrooms and hazardous environments.	296	1030	143	1463	BB

Note:
Domestic Reputation-Average Daily Search Volume in China is based on data from Baidu Index.
International Reputation-Average Monthly Search Volume (International) is based on data from Google Ads.
Number of Patents is based on data from the China National Intellectual Property Administration.

Bridge and Gantry Crane Manufacturers

China's general-purpose crane market is known for broad applications and strong manufacturing capabilities. The following companies are key players setting benchmarks globally.

Henan Mine Crane

Henan Mine Crane Co., Ltd. is a leading manufacturer in China's overhead and gantry crane sector, with top market share and output. Its products are exported to Asia, Africa, and South America, expanding global reach through partnerships and technology transfer.

Henan Mine mainly serves the mid- to low-end market, focusing on cranes under 200 tons. It holds around 65% of China's small and medium-tonnage crane market. Key strengths include versatility, cost-efficiency, easy maintenance, and wide industry adaptability.

Key Products

Among Henan Mine's product range, large-tonnage overhead cranes stand out as a core strength. The company has extensive expertise in their design and manufacturing.

Henan Mine's electric single girder overhead cranes lead the Chinese market with outstanding cost performance and competitive pricing.

Typical Cases

WEIHUA

Henan Weihua Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. is the core subsidiary of Weihua Group. Its product range spans from light to ultra-heavy cranes (900+ tons), covering general overhead and gantry cranes, smart cranes, new Chinese-style designs, metallurgical, port, multifunctional, and compact cranes, as well as bulk handling systems and crane components.

As a leading player in the high-end market, Weihua serves large-scale and high-tech sectors such as aerospace, heavy industry, energy, and ports. It specializes in intelligent and customized lifting solutions, with exports to over 130 countries and regions. Weihua's overhead and gantry cranes have both been awarded China's “Single Champion” in manufacturing.

Key Products

Typical Cases

NUCLEON

Founded relatively recently, NUCLEON has quickly risen through technological innovation. It focuses on intelligent, lightweight cranes and specialized industry needs, targeting high-end products and overseas markets. Though smaller than Weihua and Henan Mine, NUCLEON is more agile.

NUCLEON specializes in high-end intelligent cranes with customized, lightweight, and modular designs. Emphasizing energy efficiency and smart technology, it pioneers IoT-based equipment monitoring and remote maintenance. It excels in explosion-proof cranes and automated logistics cranes, serving demanding industries such as petrochemical, aerospace, and smart manufacturing.

Typical Products

Port Crane Manufacturers

Port cranes are a vital backbone of China's modern logistics and trade infrastructure. Chinese manufacturers have developed strong technical expertise and offer efficient, durable equipment tailored to the diverse needs of global ports. Below are some of the leading players in this sector.

ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua)

Widely regarded as a symbol of China's advanced manufacturing, ZPMC is a global leader in port equipment. Its ship-to-shore (STS) cranes hold an average global market share of around 70%, maintaining the No.1 position worldwide for 26 consecutive years. The ZPMC brand is globally recognized. However, to sustain its leadership, the company must continue innovating and seeking new growth opportunities.

Key Products

ZPMC's products emphasize low-carbon, intelligent, and customized solutions. Notable recent launches include the low-carbon, high-efficiency Model S Automated Rail-Mounted Gantry Crane, and the world's first crane capable of lifting three 40-foot containers simultaneously.

Typical Cases

DHHI (Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry)

DHHI is one of China's leading manufacturers of large-scale lifting equipment and a key player in the port machinery sector. Its product range includes critical port handling equipment such as Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, Rail-Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes, and Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes.

In the domestic market, DHHI is one of the main competitors alongside ZPMC, with strong capabilities in the high-end segment. While its global market share is smaller than ZPMC's, DHHI holds a solid reputation in niche areas such as mid-sized port cranes and specialized equipment.

Key Products

Typical Cases

DHHI's 20,000-ton multi-point bridge crane was recognized in 2023 as a world record in heavy machinery. It is currently the highest-capacity bridge crane globally, featuring several world-first core technologies.

Weihua Port Cranes

Weihua mainly supplies gantry cranes, rail-mounted container gantry cranes (RMG), and rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTG) for ports. Weihua offers modular customization to meet specific client needs, enabling fast assembly and deployment for diverse port operations.

Compared to established port crane giants like Shanghai Zhenhua (ZPMC) and Dalian Heavy Industry (DHHI), Weihua's market share in port machinery is relatively small. However, leveraging strong industrial crane technology and manufacturing expertise, Weihua is steadily growing its presence in small to mid-sized port markets.

Weihua's port equipment is favored for cost control and high value, especially in medium ports and regional logistics hubs. Its future growth lies in deepening its foothold in mid-sized ports, though its international recognition and competitiveness in high-end markets remain limited.

Typical Product

Metallurgy Crane Manufacturers – Steelmaking Plants

Metallurgical cranes require high technical standards due to harsh environments and performance demands. Several leading companies play key roles in this sector.

Taiyuan Heavy Industry

Taiyuan Heavy Industry (TYHI) is a top Chinese heavy machinery and crane manufacturer with strong R&D and significant metallurgical equipment expertise. Its products serve domestic and international markets, especially major steel enterprises in China.

TYHI is expanding overseas, focusing on Belt and Road countries, supplying reliable equipment for steel projects and showing strong global competitiveness.

Typical Products

Taiyuan Heavy Industry offers full-process equipment and operation services covering stockyard, coking, steelmaking, and steel production. The company provides intelligent solutions for full lifecycle management of equipment, focusing on high performance, efficiency, reliability, and suitability for complex operating environments.

Typical Cases

Henan Weihua

Henan Weihua Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. (referred to as Weihua) is a key player in China's crane and material handling equipment industry, with strong capabilities in serving the metallurgical sector.

Weihua focuses on the needs of small to medium-sized steel enterprises and auxiliary metallurgical equipment, offering cost-effective, responsive solutions that give it a competitive edge. At the same time, it supplies standardized products to large enterprises, allowing it to penetrate various market segments.

Internationally, Weihua leverages flexible customization and pricing advantages to capture demand in emerging markets, particularly excelling in the export of cranes to small and mid-sized steel plants.

In the metallurgical sector, both Taiyuan Heavy Industry (TZ) and Weihua are leading Chinese manufacturers, but their focuses differ.

Weihua Heavy Machinery specializes in medium and light-duty cranes, offering cost-effective, customizable solutions tailored to small and medium-sized steel plants. The company emphasizes efficiency, affordability, and the integration of intelligent technologies.

In contrast, Taiyuan Heavy Industry focuses on heavy-duty equipment and high-end metallurgical machinery, targeting core production processes of large-scale steel enterprises. It stands out with deeper technical expertise and stronger presence in the high-end market.

In summary, Weihua excels with its value-driven, flexible service model, while TZ holds the high ground with its technological strength and industry reputation.

DGCRANE: Your Trusted Crane Procurement Partner

DGCRANE’s Unique Advantages

Unlike single-brand manufacturers, DGCRANE offers broader access, better flexibility, and more customer-focused service in the crane procurement process.

• Strong Manufacturer Network

DGCRANE partners with leading Chinese crane manufacturers like Weihua, Taiyuan Heavy, ZPMC, and others. We know each supplier’s strengths and help customers choose the best-fit solution—whether for port, metallurgy, or general industrial applications.

• 10+ Years of Export Experience

With over a decade of trade experience and cranes exported to 120+ countries, DGCRANE understands international standards, certification requirements, logistics, and customs processes. We help you avoid delays and compliance risks.

• Competitive Pricing

Through long-term cooperation with multiple suppliers, DGCRANE can negotiate better prices and provide cost-effective packages—often better than direct factory pricing. We help reduce overall procurement and logistics costs.

• Customer-Centered & Risk Control

As a neutral third party, DGCRANE always puts the customer first. We supervise production, track delivery progress, and help resolve disputes—protecting your investment from communication or quality risks.

• Customized Solutions

DGCRANE delivers not just equipment, but complete material handling solutions, including special-use cranes for explosion-proof, cleanroom, metallurgical, or non-standard applications.

DGCRANE Global Projects

100-Ton Double-Girder Gantry Crane Shipped to Algeria

In April 2024, we successfully delivered a 100-ton double-girder gantry crane to our customer in Algeria. This crane is intended for indoor use, primarily for lifting and handling molds within the workshop.

To ensure smooth installation and commissioning, we dispatched two experienced engineers to Algeria to provide on-site technical support. Despite the limited space in the workshop—due to the presence of several large machines—the installation proceeded efficiently thanks to the excellent cooperation of the local workers and our customer.

We sincerely appreciate our customers’ continued trust, understanding, support, and collaboration. Thank you for choosing us as your partner!

25t Double Girder Overhead Crane Installed in Kyrgyzstan

The project is used for the customer's newly designed power house for hydro power plant.

The double girder overhead crane installation was completed in January 2024 after the customer received the goods in November last year. After a period of use, customers are very satisfied with our products.

• Lifting capacity:25t ;
• Span length:10m;
• Lifting height:14m ;
• Working class: A3
• Industrial voltage: 380V/50Hz/3Ph
• Lifting speed: 0.22/2.2m/min (Double Speed)
• Trolley traveling speed: 20m/min
• Crane traveling speed: 20m/min
• Crane control mode: Pendant panel+Wireless remote control

We are very happy with the customer's recognition of our products. Here is the positive feedback from our customers：

1 Ton Freestanding Bridge Crane Sold to USA Customers

The customer want to build an overhead crane in the existing workshop to lift machine spare parts, so we have to clarify the span length, maximum lifting capacity, crane traveling length etc parameters, especially have to know the available space in the workshop.

LD model USA Freestanding Bridge Crane.

• Lifting capacity: 1t
• Lifting height: 5.1m
• Span length: 4.8m
• Quantity: 3 sets

Installation and Test Run of 16-Ton Overhead Cranes in Tanzania

According to the customer's requirements, we arranged for an engineer to go to the customer's site to guide the installation of the crane. We arrived at the customer's site on July 16th and returned to our factory on August 29th. Here are some product and installation pictures.

Type 1: Single Girder Overhead Crane

• Capacity: 16ton
• Crane Span: 20 m
• Lifting height: 7.8m
• Work class: ISO A3;
• Control mode: Pendant control
• Power source: 380V/50Hz/3Ph (48V)

Type 2: NLH European type Double Girder Overhead Crane

• Capacity: 16ton
• Crane Span: 20 m
• Lifting height: 8.5 m
• Work class: ISO A3;
• Control mode: Pendant Control
• Power source: 380V/50Hz/3Ph (48V)

Conclusion

For businesses exploring opportunities to source top-tier cranes, partnering with experienced trading experts like DGCRANE can streamline the procurement process and ensure reliable, high-performance equipment tailored to your needs. By understanding the capabilities and strengths of these key manufacturers, you can make informed decisions to support your projects and operations.

The future of the crane industry is being built today, and China's manufacturers are at the forefront of this transformation.