Ship Deck Crane Cabins: What Changes When the Crane Goes to Sea
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A ship's deck crane loads and discharges cargo in ports where shore cranes are missing or busy, and then goes to sea with the ship. Its cabin has to give the operator a view into the hold in every port and survive months of sea spray, vibration and changing climate in between. This guide covers what makes a ship crane cabin different from a cabin on a port crane, and what to send us for one built to order.
A cabin that slews with the crane
On most deck cranes the cabin sits on the crane house, beside the jib, and turns with the crane. The operator looks over the hatch coaming down into the hold and, when the crane slews, down to the quay, a truck or a barge alongside. Space on the crane house is tight, so the cabin is compact and its shape follows the crane: the window area faces the hook, and the door opens onto the crane's access platform.
Side-hung cabins, carried on lugs from the crane structure, suit this position well. Our Marine Type 3 is built that way.
The view into the hatch
The operator must see the hook or the grab in the hold, sometimes far below the coaming. A large front window that reaches low, a floor or lower window where the crane design allows it, and wipers and washers on the glass the operator works through all help. Where the grab or the cargo passes close, guard bars protect the glass.
Sea spray, vibration and the voyage
Between ports the crane is stowed and the cabin sits in the open sea air for weeks. Spray, rain and wash-down water must stay out: sealed doors and windows, sealed cable entries and drain points wherever water can collect. The coating system is chosen for a marine atmosphere, as on offshore cranes, with stainless or galvanised fittings.
The ship's engines and the sea keep the cabin vibrating and moving even when the crane is idle. The equipment inside is fixed for ship motion, and the seat, the console and the climate unit are mounted so that nothing works loose during the voyage.
One ship, many climates
A bulk carrier can load in a cold port and discharge in the tropics a few weeks later. The climate unit has to heat and cool, cope with high humidity and salt air, and keep the glass clear. Crane air conditioners for marine use have corrosion-resistant coils and housings, and the unit is selected for the hottest and the coldest ports on the ship's routes.
Ships often run their electrical network at a different voltage and frequency from the shore supply. Give us the ship's supply at enquiry, so that the climate unit, the lighting and the heaters are specified for it.
Class rules and the crane maker
A ship's crane is usually approved by the ship's classification society, and the crane maker specifies what the cabin must meet as part of that crane: materials, fire behaviour, glass, electrical equipment and documentation. Tell us the classification society and the crane maker's cabin specification at enquiry. We check the requirements before design starts and tell you clearly what we can supply against them.
On tankers and gas carriers a deck crane or a hose-handling crane can stand in a hazardous area. Give us the zone classification: we answer per project, and we do not offer equipment for a classified zone unless it carries the certification that zone requires.
Built for short port stays
Repairs at sea are difficult and port stays are short. Good access to the climate unit, replaceable wiper parts and glass, and a clear set of documents let the crew keep the cabin running. Tell us how maintenance is organised on board, and we plan the access and the spare parts with you.
KRANHAUSS cabins for ship cranes
We build our marine cabins to order for shipyard, port and ship cranes: Marine Type 3 for side-hung positions, Marine Type 2 where the glass and the roof need guards, and Marine Type 1 where the cabin has its own ladder and platform. Dimensions, glass, insulation, coating system, climate unit and control station follow your crane.
What to send us
- Crane maker and model, and the ship type.
- Classification society and the crane maker's cabin specification.
- Drawings of the cabin position and its connection to the crane.
- What the operator must see: hold, quay, barge.
- The ship's trading area and climate range.
- The ship's electrical supply: voltage and frequency.
- Coating specification and colour.
- Number of cabins; a new build or a cabin replacement.
Frequently asked questions
What is a deck crane cabin?
The operator cabin of a ship's deck crane. It usually sits on the crane house beside the jib and slews with the crane, so the operator can look down into the hold and to the quay.
Does a ship crane cabin need class approval?
The ship's crane is usually approved by the classification society, and the crane maker tells you what the cabin must meet as part of it. Give us the society and the specification at enquiry; we tell you clearly what we can supply against them.
Can the climate unit run on the ship's power supply?
It has to be selected for that supply. Give us the ship's voltage and frequency at enquiry; we select the climate unit and the cabin electrics for it, and tell you clearly if a unit is not available for that supply.
Which cabin suits a deck crane?
Usually a compact cabin hung from the crane house, such as our Marine Type 3, with guard bars where the grab or the cargo passes close. The exact shape follows your crane.
Related guides
Ship crane cabin enquiry
Send us the crane maker and model, the ship type and its classification society, and we propose a cabin built for your crane.