The North America offshore crane market is witnessing rapid technological advancements driven by the growing oil & gas, marine, and renewable energy sectors. Offshore cranes are crucial for lifting heavy loads on rigs, vessels, and wind farms, catering to the region’s expansive marine infrastructure. With rising investments in offshore exploration and renewable installations, especially in the US and Canada, demand for highly advanced cranes is surging. Market players are focusing on automated, energy-efficient, and specialized solutions to meet fluctuating project needs. The integration of digital monitoring, IoT, and eco-friendly technology is further reshaping competition.
Latest Market Dynamics
Key Drivers
Growing offshore oil & gas exploration and production activities in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea, supported by recent investments from companies like NOV and Halliburton.
Rapid expansion of offshore wind energy projects, with Vestas and Siemens Gamesa driving installations, necessitating advanced heavy-lift cranes for turbine assembly.
Key Trends
Increased adoption of digitalized, automated, and remote-controlled offshore cranes for improved operational safety and efficiency, showcased by Liebherr’s new digital solutions.
Shift towards hybrid and electric-powered crane systems as operators seek to reduce emissions and comply with emerging environmental regulations. MacGregor has released low-emission cranes in 2024.
Key Opportunities
Expansion of modular and multi-purpose offshore cranes for cross-application use, catering to diverse marine, oil, and renewables needs, as seen in Huisman’s latest products.
Emergence of specialized subsea cranes for deepwater operations, opening new markets for Konecranes and Cargotec in challenging North American regions.
Key Challenges
High initial installation and maintenance costs for next-generation offshore cranes, affecting adoption rates among small and medium marine operators.
Complex regulatory landscape and supply chain disruptions, especially post-pandemic, requiring enhanced vendor flexibility and regional manufacturing capabilities.
Key Restraints
Volatility in offshore project funding and fluctuating crude oil prices, limiting long-term investment certainty, as seen in recent market stalling by smaller contractors.
Technological integration barriers with legacy platforms, slowing the adoption of fully automated cranes and necessitating custom retrofitting—impacting companies like Heila Cranes.
North America Offshore Crane Market Share (%) by Type, 2025
In 2025, Knuckle Boom cranes command the largest share in the North America offshore crane market at 37%, reflecting their versatility in confined offshore spaces and diverse load handling. Telescopic Boom cranes follow with 25%, favored for reach and precision in maintenance tasks. Lattice Boom cranes account for 18% due to their dominance in heavy-lift operations. Fixed Boom and Others round out the market at 12% and 8% respectively. The overall market dynamics are shaped by increasing offshore construction activities and growing marine logistics, where flexible and reliable lifting solutions are essential. The ongoing adoption of automation further boosts share for knuckle and telescopic boom types.
North America Offshore Crane Market Share (%) by Application, 2025
Oil & Gas leads offshore crane applications in North America with 42%, underlining its ongoing relevance despite the rise of renewables. Renewable Energy holds a significant 28% share, spurred by rapid wind farm installations and support from US and Canadian governments. Marine applications account for 16%, driven by port expansion and vessel upgrades. Subsea, Heavy Lifting, and Others represent 10%, 3%, and 1% respectively. Continued growth in renewable installation projects, coupled with increased deepwater demands, is gradually shifting application shares towards energy transition and sustainability.
North America Offshore Crane Market Revenue (USD Million), 2020-2035
The North America offshore crane market revenue is projected to grow steadily. From a base of USD 1,200 Million in 2020, the market rose to USD 1,450 Million in 2021 and is forecasted to reach USD 2,600 Million by 2035. Annual growth is being sustained by continued demand in oil & gas and the strong uptick in offshore renewables. The forecast indicates robust investment in digital and hybrid crane solutions, which is expected to accelerate as the region increases its offshore infrastructure capacity. The CAGR stands at 5.6% for the period 2025-2035.
North America Offshore Crane Market Year-on-Year (%) Growth, 2020-2035
Year-on-year growth for North America's offshore crane market averages 4.5% between 2020 and 2025, peaking at 6% as renewable projects ramp up. Growth steadies at around 4% after 2030 as the market matures and project pipelines stabilize. Despite short-term volatility due to oil price fluctuations or project delays, the long-term outlook remains positive due to sustained investments in digital transformation and green energy. The transition to automated and hybrid cranes is a major support for continuous market value addition.
North America Offshore Crane Market Regional Share (%) by 2025
By 2025, the United States dominates the North American offshore crane market with a 69% share, driven by its expansive oil & gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico and robust renewable energy rollouts. Canada secures a 18% share, benefiting from Atlantic offshore projects and increasing maritime investments. Mexico holds 13%, primarily reflecting its efforts to revive offshore energy assets and expand infrastructure. Regional leadership is expected to remain with the US, while Canada is projected for faster percentage growth thanks to upcoming wind and subsea projects.
North America Offshore Crane Market Players Share (%) by 2025
Liebherr Group leads the competitive landscape in 2025 with a 21% market share, thanks to its reputation for innovative, heavy-duty solutions. National Oilwell Varco (NOV) and Konecranes follow at 16% and 13%, respectively, with strong positions in both oil & gas and renewable energy projects. Cargotec and Palfinger AG have consistent performance, each at 10%. Other companies, including Huisman and MacGregor, collectively account for the remaining 30%. Market consolidation is ongoing as leading players emphasize digitalization, sustainability, and after-market services.
North America Offshore Crane Market Buyers Share (%) by 2025
Major offshore oil & gas companies represent 44% of buyers in the North America offshore crane market, underlining the sector’s ongoing capital intensity. Renewable energy developers comprise 27%, reflecting their rapidly growing procurement for wind projects. Marine logistics and vessel operators make up 19%, using cranes for general cargo and port operations. Subsea contractors and heavy lift firms contribute 7% and 3%, respectively. This buyer distribution highlights a market still anchored by traditional energy but shifting toward renewables and marine expansion.
Study Coverage
Metrics
Details
Years
2020-2035
Base Year
2025
Market Size
Revenue (USD Million)
Regions
US, Canada, Mexico
Segments
By Type (Knuckle Boom, Telescopic Boom, Lattice Boom, Fixed Boom, Others); By Application (Oil & Gas, Marine, Renewable Energy, Subsea, Heavy Lifting, Others); By Distribution Channels (Direct Sales, Distributors, Online Channels, Retail, Resellers, Others); By Technology (Hydraulic, Electric, Hybrid, Manual, Automated, Others); By Organization Size (Small, Medium, Large)
June 2024: Liebherr launches a new digital platform for predictive crane maintenance, improving uptime for offshore clients in the US Gulf.
July 2024: NOV secures a major contract with a leading North American oil & gas player to supply next-generation hybrid cranes for new platforms.
August 2024: MacGregor introduces emission-reducing electric crane models tailored for offshore wind farms, focusing on US and Canadian markets.
September 2024: Huisman announces completion of a modular subsea crane installation for a deepwater project off the Canadian Atlantic.
October 2024: Konecranes partners with a renewable energy developer for automated heavy-lift cranes for an upcoming offshore wind project in the UK and North America.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Author
Alice
Senior Research Consultant
Alice is a Senior Research Consultant specializing in market research, industry analysis, and business consulting across Energy & Power. Alice brings a commercially grounded perspective to sectors shaped by changing demand, innovation, and competitive dynamics, helping turn complex market trends into clear strategic insights for business decision-makers. With 10+ years of experience across research, analytics, and strategic advisory roles, Alice has helped organizations translate data into actionable growth strategies.
Energy & PowerMarket ResearchIndustry AnalysisStrategic Consulting
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