Why U.S. Harbor Crane Manufacturing Is Returning—And How Siemens + Premier Automation Will Power It
For decades, the United States has relied on foreign-built harbor cranes—particularly from China—to move the cargo that keeps the economy moving. Today, those cranes sit at the center of a national security, industrial, and supply-chain transformation, and the industry is preparing for historic change.
Recent investigations uncovered suspicious technology in Chinese-manufactured cranes, accelerating concerns across Congress, the Coast Guard, and Homeland Security. This isn’t a small problem, as Chinese crane manufacturers control roughly 80% of the global ship-to-shore crane market.
With such heavy reliance on a foreign supplier—and now tied to cyber and data risks—the question facing U.S. ports is clear:
Who will build the next generation of safe, secure, American-controlled harbor cranes?
That answer is beginning to take shape.
A Perfect Storm Driving the Return of U.S. Crane Manufacturing
- Government incentives and national security directives are altering the landscape:
In 2025, the White House issued a national directive to “restore America’s maritime dominance,” emphasizing the need for stronger domestic shipbuilding, resilient port infrastructure, and reduced dependence on Chinese-built equipment. Complementing this, Congress has proposed a tax credit for ports that purchase U.S.-manufactured cranes, a policy designed to jump-start domestic production after decades of offshore reliance. Together, these actions signal a coordinated effort to rebuild American capability across the entire maritime supply chain—from shipyards to terminal equipment.
- Demand is projected to surge across STS, RMG, RTG, intermodal, and shipyard crane categories:
Shifting trade routes, larger vessels, and growing inland freight are increasing demand for nearly all crane categories in the U.S. This includes Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes at coastal ports, RMG/RTG cranes for yard and intermodal operations, and specialized shipyard cranes like Goliath and heavy-lift systems. As ports and logistics hubs expand capacity, these crane types are seeing renewed demand for investment —creating a natural opening for U.S. manufacturers to re-enter the market.
- Global supply chain realignment is straining existing infrastructure
As goods manufacturing shifts from China to India, Southeast Asia, Turkey, and Africa due to tarriffs, West Coast ports may lose their historical advantage of having the shortest route to China, while East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, along with inland rail hubs, may see significant volume increases.
More cargo = more cranes.
Larger vessels = larger cranes.
More inland freight = more intermodal cranes.
Every scenario points to the need for new U.S.-built cranes and modernization of existing fleets.
Who Will Build—and Power—the Next Generation of American Cranes?
Rebuilding U.S. crane manufacturing requires far more than steel fabrication. Modern harbor cranes depend on advanced drive systems, intelligent automation, secure networks, and highly specialized engineering. Any domestic OEM entering this space will need a technology foundation that’s proven, scalable, and built to meet the high demands of port operations.
This is where Siemens and Premier Automation step in. Siemens provides the core electrical and automation platform—high-voltage distribution, transformers, motors, drives, control systems, and the digital layers that power crane operation. Premier extends this foundation with more engineering muscle to bring these systems to life: designing and integrating control architectures, building and testing electrical panels and control rooms, commissioning drive systems, and supporting cranes across their full lifecycle.
Together, they create a complete, U.S.-based technology and engineering ecosystem capable of supporting new crane manufacturers and modernizing existing port fleets. Siemens delivers the platform. Premier delivers the execution. And combined, they provide what American crane OEMs have been missing for decades: a domestic, end-to-end solution that is ready to scale.
What This Means for the Future of U.S. Crane Manufacturing
The shift toward U.S.-built cranes isn’t just about replacing foreign suppliers — it’s about reshaping the entire maritime landscape. With new incentives, changing trade patterns, and a reliable technological foundation emerging at home, the U.S. now has the opportunity to rebuild a crane industry that hasn’t existed in decades. The impact extends far beyond manufacturing: it influences how ports plan capacity, how OEMs design equipment, and how operators think about long-term resilience.
For ports, this shift means access to American-built cranes with world-class automation, motion control, and digital capability — supported by local engineering teams, local service, and local spare-parts availability. Whether expanding capacity, modernizing legacy fleets, or preparing for larger vessels, ports gain a level of reliability and responsiveness that foreign suppliers simply cannot match.
And as new OEMs scale up, Premier’s strengths align directly with what the industry needs: deep drive and motion control expertise, modernization paths for existing cranes, and full lifecycle support across design, build, commissioning, and ongoing service. Siemens sets the technological foundation; Premier ensures it performs in the field.
Together, this creates a pathway to a stronger, more resilient maritime infrastructure — one built on U.S. capability, secure supply chains, and long-term operational confidence.
If your organization is exploring crane modernization, evaluating U.S.-built alternatives, or looking for partners to support new crane manufacturing initiatives, Premier Automation can help.