The autonomous cranes market is estimated to reach US$13.973 billion in 2030 from US$7.582 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 12.89%.
Autonomous cranes are heavy machines that lift material, load, and unload without requiring human intervention. They showcase the modern technological concept for heavy industrial applications and are equipped with advanced features such as zoning, remote configuration, and anti-collision.
Owing to their high performance and cost-effectiveness, autonomous cranes are finding high applicability in construction, mining, marines, and offshore applications for handling heavy cargo and raw material mobility. With rapid economic growth and investment to bolster industrial productivity, these sectors are witnessing positive expansion, boosting the demand for autonomous cranes.
Moreover, the ongoing effort to bolster industrial automation has increased the applicability of AI and IoT in heavy machines, which is acting as an additional factor for market growth. However, the complexities during machine manufacturing, coupled with a lack of technical know-how among workers, have negatively impacted the usage of autonomous cranes. Likewise, the volatility in raw materials prices will also hamper the overall market expansion.
An autonomous crane, unlike traditional cranes, provides additional benefits, such as separating workers from dangerous operations. Mobile cranes can run faster through shorter ramp times and cycles, thereby providing seamless operations. Moving containers from a vessel to an offshore platform requires a lot of precision, and such operations aren’t performed in harsh environments.
Autonomous cranes, equipped with onboard cameras and zoning configuration, are ideal for container lifting and handling operations. Various companies are investing in autonomous cranes to increase overall productivity. For instance, in October 2023, PALFINGER formed a joint agreement with Oplift and Aker BP to develop five autonomous offshore cranes that Aker BP will use in its operations.
Autonomous cranes have provided a technical breakthrough that has improved the scale of construction operations. They minimize the risk of work-related accidents and provide seamless operations by operating as per the requirement. Witnessing their cost-effective functionality, autonomous cranes are finding their way into commercial and infrastructure construction to increase end-to-end efficiency.
The ongoing investments in commercial construction and the implementation of associated projects are expected to drive the market demand for autonomous cranes. For instance, in May 2024, Ferrovial was awarded nine projects worth US$1.2 billion, which included the expansion of water treatment plants, bridge construction, and roadway improvement and expansion.
Likewise, in August 2023, Eiffage secured a €358 million contract for the construction of a 688-meter-long bridge across the Rhine in Leverkusen, Germany. The infrastructure formed part of the A1 motorway between Cologne and Leverkusen and aimed to enhance Germany’s bridge configuration.
Based on End-User, the autonomous crane market is divided into construction, mining, marine & offshore, and others. The construction sector is expected to constitute a considerable market share, fuelled by the booming construction activities in major economies, namely the United States, China, and the European Union. Various strategic investments are being initiated in private & public construction.
According to the US Census, in 1H 2024, public construction spending witnessed an 11.5% growth in the United States compared to 1H 2023. The same source also specified that in the same timeline, the construction in the power sector witnessed the highest growth of 34.2%, whereas educational construction experienced a 10.1% growth
Additionally, the marine and offshore sector is poised for positive growth owing to the ongoing research and development by crane manufacturers to automate their crane architecture. Moreover, strategic collaboration between market players and offshore firms is estimated to positively impact the segment's growth.
The European and Asia Pacific regions are projected to grow at a steady rate, fuelled by the growing offshore projects followed by investments in commercial establishments, industrial units, and port expansion. These developments have provided a new framework for the adoption of autonomous technological variants to increase workflow efficiency by optimizing the material handling process.
The global market is segmented by geography into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The market in the North American region will witness significant growth and account for a considerable share, fuelled by the rapid industrialization and investment in infrastructure construction in major regional economies, namely the United States and Canada.
Moreover, cargo and offshore operations are also booming in the United States, which is also investing in new automation technologies to increase productivity. For instance, according to the March 2024 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the ten largest ports in the economy have adopted new technological options, including automated rail-mounted gantry cranes that can function 24 hours a day.
Though autonomous cranes provide an edge over conventional cranes, such modern options require a lot of research work to improve their work efficiency. Since cranes also feature technologies such as remote configuration, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, integrating such technologies can be a complex task.
Moreover, understanding how these machines function and optimizing their workflow requires extensive technical experience. This can also pose a challenge for underdeveloped nations where the working workforce is less capital-intensive.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
|
Autonomous Cranes Market Size in 2025 |
US$7.582 billion |
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Autonomous Cranes Market Size in 2030 |
US$13.973 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 12.89% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
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List of Major Companies in Autonomous Cranes Market |
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| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |
The Autonomous Cranes market is analyzed into the following segments: