Stafford to build port cranes in North America

Stafford Crane Group is developing a ship to shore crane to be manufactured in the USA. Image: Stafford Crane Group

Stafford Crane Group has unveiled a plan to build ship to shore (STS) container cranes in the USA.

Arizona headquartered SCG told Crane and Transport Briefing it is in the process of designing and developing the all-new American made crane. “After much careful research into this very specific port industry sector, SCG president Patrick Stafford and Derek Stafford (co-owner) gave the green light to this new project’s development,” the company said.

A suitable location is being sought in the south western United States for the new manufacturing venture and a new company will be formed.

The move comes on the back of the 2021 Build America Buy American (BABA) Act from the US Government. BABA aims to reduce imports of products deemed to threaten the US economy, including STS cranes from Asia.

As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, BABA “established a domestic content procurement preference for all Federal financial assistance obligated for infrastructure projects after May 14, 2022,” according to the US Government Office of Acquisition Management.

In addition, mid-May 2024 saw US President Joe Biden announce a 25 per cent tariff on imports of STS cranes and similar rates on other goods from China.

New design

The new STS crane design is from SCG’s engineering studio in Milan, Italy. It will be combined with crane manufacturing experience gained over many years by Stafford Tower Cranes. SCG will also tap into its experience with heavy-duty gantry cranes and, in particular with a NASSCO (National Steel and Shipbuilding Company) project.

In terms of technology consideration will be given to incorporate the latest advances in manufacturing processes and, in the crane itself, to allow support of automated operations. Energy efficiency and sustainability will be a high priority both for manufacturing and crane operation.

Research is ongoing into STS crane end user requirements, including a strong focus on security and safety features.

The Stafford family said its wants to offer “a true American brand of STS/Panamax cranes into the American market, 100 per cent fabricated and manufactured in the southwest of the USA.”

This announcement follows Konecranes’ related news the previous week.