Tower Crane Shipping for Construction Projects Worldwide
A tower crane never travels as one piece. You ship it as a kit of mast sections, jib and counter-jib sections, a slewing unit, an operator cab, a hoist, and counterweights, and every piece has to arrive complete and in the order the erection crew needs it. Texas International Freight ships tower cranes from Houston and other US ports worldwide in containers, on flat rack, and as breakbulk, and manages the whole crane as one coordinated shipment.
Which crane are you moving, and how many lifts does the erection plan call for on day one? Those two answers shape the load plan.
Tower Crane Types and Components We Ship
Contractors and rental fleets ship hammerhead and flat-top cranes, luffing jib cranes for tight city sites, and self-erecting cranes for low-rise work. We handle units from makers such as Liebherr, Potain, Terex, and Comansa, new or used.
A typical tower crane shipment includes:
- Mast sections and the climbing frame
- Jib and counter-jib sections, with the trolley
- Slewing unit, turntable, and tower head
- Operator cab and electrical cabinets
- Hoist winch, wire rope drums, and the hook block
- Base sections, fixing anchors, and counterweight blocks
Moving a different kind of crane? See our pages on mobile and all-terrain crane shipping and crawler crane shipping.
How a Tower Crane Ships
Containers and flat racks
Mast sections are bulky but light for their size. Many fit on flat racks or in open-top containers, and shorter sections can go inside standard boxes. Electrical cabinets, the cab, and small parts ride in closed containers to stay dry.
Breakbulk
Long jib sections, the tower head, and the slewing unit often move as breakbulk on a multipurpose vessel. Lifting them straight from the quay to the hold avoids extra handling and keeps the lattice from twisting.
Counterweights
Counterweight blocks are small and dense, so they fill a container’s weight limit long before its space. Some contractors cast concrete ballast near the job site to save freight. Ask us to compare both options before you book.
Load Planning, Packing, and Sequencing
A tower crane shipment depends on an accurate component list. We build the load plan from the maker’s packing list, with the weight and dimensions of every piece. Our export packing crews protect slewing rings, machined faces, and electrical parts, and mark every item to match the erection drawings.
The discharge sequence matters as much as the loading. Your crew needs the base, the first mast sections, and the slewing unit before anything else. We plan the stow so those pieces come off first. Nobody wants an assist crane on hourly rental waiting for the one section still buried in the hold.
Heavy Haul, Documents, and Neighboring Markets
We arrange heavy haul trucking from your yard to the load port, and from the discharge port to the site, with the trailers and permits the longer sections require. We prepare the commercial invoice, the packing list, the bill of lading, and the Automated Export System filing, and our customs broker team coordinates clearance at destination.
Not every tower crane needs a ship. Cranes for projects in Mexico move by road through the Texas border crossings with our trucking to Mexico service, and we handle loads for Canadian sites through our shipping to Canada network. Fleets of several cranes for one development run as coordinated project logistics.
Ready to Move Your Tower Crane?
Send us the component list and destination, and our Houston team returns a plan and a quote for your tower crane shipment.
Phone: +1 877-489-9184
Email: ship@txintlfreight.com
Address: 11511 Katy Fwy #320, Houston, TX 77079
Frequently Asked Questions About Tower Crane Shipping
What tower crane components do you ship?
We ship mast sections, jib and counter-jib sections, the slewing unit and tower head, the operator cab, the hoist winch, base sections, anchors, and counterweight blocks. We move hammerhead, flat-top, luffing jib, and self-erecting cranes as one coordinated set.
How does a tower crane ship overseas?
Mast sections ship on flat racks or in open-top containers, the cab and electrical cabinets travel in closed containers, and long jib sections or the slewing unit often move as breakbulk on a multipurpose vessel, much like other heavy construction equipment.
Can the crane arrive in erection order?
Yes. We build the stow plan from the maker’s packing list so the base, first mast sections, and slewing unit discharge first. The same sequencing approach applies to oil rig components and mining plant, where crews wait on specific pieces.
Should I ship the counterweights or source them locally?
It depends on the destination. Counterweight blocks are dense and fill a container’s weight limit quickly, so some contractors cast concrete ballast near the site. We compare the freight cost of shipping steel or concrete blocks against local supply before you book.
Can you move a tower crane to Mexico or Canada by road?
Yes. Tower cranes for construction and energy projects in Mexico move by truck through the Texas border crossings, and cranes for Canadian sites travel by road or rail. We arrange the permits, trailers, export filings, and customs coordination.
