2025 Egypt Overhead Crane Buying Guide: Price, Suppliers and Selection Tips
As Egypt keeps investing in industry and infrastructure in 2025, demand for overhead cranes in steel plants, oil & gas, fabrication workshops, logistics warehouses and ports continues to grow.
For owners, EPC contractors and purchasing managers, an overhead crane is not a “one-time consumable”. It usually works in the plant for 10 years or more. Choosing the right crane type and supplier will not only affect the purchase price today, but also your safety, efficiency and maintenance costs in the coming decade.
Typical questions we hear from Egyptian buyers:
Why can quotations for “the same overhead crane” differ by 20–40%?
From 1 ton to 50 tons, how should I choose between single girder, double girder and European type?
Should I buy from a local crane supplier in Egypt, or import from China?
What data do I need to prepare before asking for a quote, so that suppliers do not simply “guess a price”?
This 2025 Egypt Overhead Crane Buying Guide focuses on six core topics:
Selection – Price – Supplier choice – RFQ parameters – Total cost control – FAQ & marketing tips
so you can make a clear, professional decision before you invest.
1. Selection principles: “matched to your duty”, not “the bigger the better”
An overhead crane is safe and economical only when it matches your real working conditions. A well-matched crane:
works safely with enough margin,
avoids structural over-design,
reduces building and steel structure cost,
and is easier to maintain in the long run.
1.1 Capacity & structure: 1–20 t single girder, 10 t+ heavy duty prefer double girder
For light and medium duty (1–20 t)
For general machining workshops, small warehouses and assembly lines, a single girder overhead crane is usually enough:
simple structure,
lighter self-weight,
lower procurement cost,
fully capable for everyday lifting and shifting.
For heavy duty or high-frequency use (10 t and above)
For steel service centres, coil warehouses, mould shops, steel mills and casting plants, a double girder overhead crane is normally the better choice:
two main girders = higher stiffness and less deflection,
easier to achieve larger lifting height,
better suited for grabs, lifting beams, magnets, rotating hooks and other heavy-duty attachments,
more safety margin for continuous operation.
、
👉 Simple rule of thumb:
Daily handling → single girder
Heavy load + high frequency + strict safety → double girder
This avoids wasting money on an unnecessarily heavy structure for light-duty work.
1.2 Building and space: suspension for low space, top-running for wider spans
Your building structure and clear height are often the first constraints.
Suspension overhead crane (underslung) – for limited space & existing beams
The crane runs under existing concrete or steel beams.
Good for 1–10 t, small to medium spans.
Saves the cost of new runway beams and columns.
Top-running overhead crane – for medium & large spans
Crane runs on rails fixed on steel columns or runway beams.
Suitable for spans like 18 m, 22 m, 30 m and above.
Capacity can range from a few tons up to hundreds of tons.
Best choice for new steel buildings, logistics warehouses, heavy workshops.
If you are still designing the building, it is smart to involve the crane supplier early so that runway beam size, column spacing and roof height are coordinated from the beginning.
1.3 Prefer low energy & low maintenance? Consider European / FEM standard cranes
For plants that run long hours every day and require high stability, a European type / FEM standard overhead crane is usually more economical over its full life:
more compact main girder and end carriage design,
lower self-weight and wheel loads,
most motions driven by frequency inverters,
smoother start / stop, less impact on runway and structure,
higher-grade motors, gearboxes and electrical components,
longer service life and longer maintenance intervals.
Although a European overhead crane may have a slightly higher purchase price, it often saves more in:
energy consumption,
maintenance labour and spare parts,
and reduced downtime.
1.4 Special environments: explosion proof, high temperature, anti corrosion
In Egypt, the following conditions are very common. Using a standard crane here is a big risk:
Explosion proof zones
Petrochemical plants, gas stations, chemical factories, where flammable gas or dust is present.
You must use a certified explosion proof overhead crane, with explosion-proof motors, panels and control devices.
High temperature applications
Ladle handling, casting bays, hot metal transport, hot slab or billet handling.
Require special design such as heat shielding, high-temperature cables, double brakes, redundant safety protections.
Corrosive / sea side / chemical atmosphere
Port warehouses, coastal yards, salt plants, chemical stores.
Need enhanced anti-corrosion painting, better protection for electrical enclosures, and possibly stainless or galvanised components.
Key idea:
In special environments, you must use a special crane design.
Otherwise you are gambling with safety and crane life.
2. Overhead crane price in Egypt: what really drives the cost?
Many buyers first ask: “How much does an overhead crane cost in Egypt?”
In reality, there is no fixed price list. The overhead crane price in Egypt is driven by several technical and commercial factors, not only by the tonnage.
2.1 Main factors that affect overhead crane price
Typical cost drivers include:
Capacity (tonnage)
Span and lifting height
Duty class / working hours (A3, A5, A6, etc.)
Design standard (Chinese standard vs European / FEM / DIN)
Hoisting mechanism type (electric hoist vs open-winch trolley)
Control method (pendant, radio remote, cabin, or combinations)
Frequency control (VFD for hoisting and travelling, or not)
Special design (explosion-proof, high-temperature, anti-corrosion, outdoor with storm-clamps, etc.)
Whether the quotation includes rails, power supply, runway beams
Whether it includes installation, commissioning, training and inspection
In general:
For the same capacity, longer span and higher lifting height cost more.
Higher duty class and full-VFD drives increase initial price but improve performance and life.
Explosion-proof, high-temperature and anti-corrosion designs add cost, but they are essential for safety and compliance.
2.2 Typical capacity & span bands (1–50 t) – how buyers often group budgets
Instead of giving hard numbers, it is more useful to think in budget bands:
(1) Entry level: 3–5 t single girder, 12–18 m span
Light duty single girder overhead crane.
Used in small machine shops, packing areas, small warehouses.
Simple configuration, basic but reliable, no complex options.
Suitable as an “entry-level investment” for smaller factories.
(2) Mid range: 10–20 t double girder, 18–28 m span
For medium-heavy workshops, steel structure fabrication, mould shops, coil handling.
The crane is often part of the core production process, not just occasional lifting.
Requirements for smooth running, accurate positioning, braking performance, lifting height and duty class are much higher.
Often equipped with variable frequency drives and better electrical components.
(3) Heavy range: 20–50 t double girder, 20–32 m span
For steel mills, foundries, heavy equipment manufacturing, heavy storage yards.
Designed for heavy load + continuous duty, with more safety redundancy.
Uses higher-grade motors, gearboxes, brakes and control systems.
Requires stronger runway beams, columns and foundations – total project cost is higher.
Even within the same capacity band, a European-type double girder crane with full VFD, anti-sway and remote monitoring will naturally be more expensive than a basic traditional model – but its life-cycle performance is also on a different level.
3. Local Egypt suppliers vs Chinese overhead crane manufacturers: how to choose?
For buyers in Egypt, there are usually two routes:
Buy from a local overhead crane supplier in Egypt, or
Import from Chinese manufacturers with export experience.
Both routes can work well. The key is to match them to your project type, schedule and budget.
3.1 Local suppliers: easy communication & fast on-site service
Advantages:
Same language and time zone → easy daily communication.
Familiar with local regulations, inspection routines and some project rules.
Faster response for on-site maintenance and annual inspection.
Potential limitations:
Product range for special cranes (explosion-proof, high-temperature, low-headroom, European type) may be limited.
Manufacturing scale may be smaller, so cost control is not always optimal.
For large or complex cranes, critical components may still be imported.
Best for:
Projects where service convenience is the top priority, tonnage is not very high, and configuration is relatively standard.
3.2 Chinese manufacturers: strong cost advantage and complete product range
Chinese overhead crane manufacturers have clear strengths in product variety, cost control and export experience:
Full range from 1 t electric hoist cranes up to 300 t+ ladle cranes.
Mature solutions for European cranes, low headroom cranes, explosion-proof cranes, steel mill cranes, magnetic / grab cranes, etc.
Rich export experience to Egypt and the Middle East, understanding of 380–415 V / 50 Hz power, documents for customs clearance and 3rd-party inspection.
By working with an experienced Chinese supplier, you can often:
Get a more competitive overhead crane price in Egypt for the same configuration.
Have more choices for special environments and customised designs.
Combine remote technical support with local installation partners to solve service issues.
3.3 Practical model: Chinese complete crane + local Egyptian installation / inspection
In many real projects, a very balanced and popular solution is:
Purchase the complete crane from China (mechanical + electrical),
then use Egyptian teams for installation, commissioning and inspection.
This way you can:
enjoy competitive pricing and full product range from China,
use local teams who know Egyptian regulations, safety rules and inspection routines,
and still receive remote support, drawings and online guidance from the manufacturer.
For very large or complex projects, you can also invite a Chinese engineer to assist on-site at key stages, working together with the local erection team.
4. RFQ checklist: information you must include in your enquiry
The more complete your enquiry, the faster and more accurate the supplier’s proposal and quotation will be. For an overhead crane project in Egypt, you should prepare at least the following data.
4.1 Basic project information
Project city / location (Cairo, Alexandria, etc.)
Industry and application (steel structure, coil warehouse, fabrication shop, steel mill, petrochemical, etc.)
New building or existing plant / renovation project
4.2 Core technical parameters
Lifting capacity (max working load), and whether you plan for future expansion
Span (distance between runway rails / columns)
Lifting height (from floor to hook highest position; indicate any pit if applicable)
Runway length (effective travelling length of the crane)
Duty class / working hours (hours per day, approximate cycles per hour)
4.3 Load type and working conditions
Type of load: steel coils, plates, profiles, machinery, moulds, ladles, etc.
Indoor or outdoor; temperature range; dust level; humidity; salty or corrosive atmosphere.
Any need for explosion-proof, high-temperature or anti-corrosion design.
4.4 Power supply and control method
Power supply: e.g. 380–415 V / 50 Hz, 3-phase
Control: pendant, radio remote, cabin, or combined control
Need for VFD control, anti-sway, synchronised control, remote monitoring, etc.
4.5 Standards and other requirements
Preferred design standard: Chinese standard, European / FEM / DIN, etc.
Whether you need the supplier to provide rails, power supply system, runway beams.
Whether third-party inspection (BV, SGS, etc.) is required.
If you send this checklist to 2–3 experienced suppliers, you can usually receive solid technical proposals and quotations within 1–2 rounds of communication, and compare them effectively.
5. How to reduce your 5–10 year total cost, not just the purchase price
A smart buyer does not only push for a low initial price. The real goal is to minimise the total cost over 5–10 years.
5.1 Avoid “over-sizing”: choose capacity and duty class based on real needs
Some projects like to “play too safe” and double the capacity:
for example, working load is 10 t, but they insist on a 20 t crane.
However:
When capacity goes up, everything becomes heavier: main girders, end carriages, motors, brakes, runway beams and foundations.
Steel structure and energy consumption both increase significantly.
It is better to:
Define your real maximum load, add a reasonable safety margin,
and choose capacity and duty class together with a professional engineer.
This is much more economical than blindly going “two sizes up”.
5.2 Use low-headroom design to cut building modification cost
For existing plants or buildings with limited height, instead of raising the roof or digging pits, you can:
choose a low-headroom single girder or double girder design,
optimise the position of the hoist and trolley,
significantly increase available hook height without changing the building.
In many projects, the money saved in civil works and steel structure is greater than the extra design cost of a low-headroom crane.
5.3 Fix technical details early to avoid rework
Clearly describe your working environment, load type and future expansion plans.
Confirm control methods, safety functions, power supply and standards before signing.
Avoid modifying structures or electrical systems after the crane arrives on site.
One round of clear technical communication at the beginning is much cheaper than on-site “cut and repair” later.
5.4 Prepare spare parts in advance to reduce downtime
The crane structure itself rarely fails. Most issues come from:
brake linings and coils,
wire ropes and pulleys,
limit switches and contactors,
inverters and small control components.
It is strongly recommended to:
ask the manufacturer to provide a 1–2 year spare parts list,
purchase at least the key wear parts together with the crane or soon after installation.
Then your local maintenance team can fix issues quickly, without waiting weeks for international shipments.
6. Why work with experienced Chinese overhead crane suppliers for Egypt?
You can keep this section slightly branded later (add your company name and contact), but the logic stays the same.
6.1 Not only a cheaper crane – a better total project “equation”
From real projects with Egyptian customers, choosing an experienced Chinese overhead crane manufacturer often helps you save money and trouble in three areas:
More competitive crane price for the same configuration
Same capacity, same duty class and similar components, but more competitive price.
Full product range: single girder, double girder, European type, explosion-proof, high-temperature, anti-corrosion, steel mill cranes, etc.
More controllable building and steel structure cost
Lighter self-weight and lower wheel loads with European / low-headroom designs.
Early participation in building layout can help optimise runway beams and foundations, saving steel and civil work.
More stable long-term operation with less downtime
Unified selection of key components makes spares easier to manage.
Combination of remote diagnostics and local partners gives faster problem solving.
In short, a good supplier is not just selling you “one crane”,
but helping you optimise the whole lifting system + building + maintenance economics.
6.2 Five points to check when choosing a Chinese partner
When you are comparing several suppliers, use these 5 checks:
Proven references in Egypt or the Middle East
Can they show real projects in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc., with photos and technical data?
Free selection and layout suggestions
Are they willing to help you with crane layout, hook coverage, runway arrangement based on your drawings?
Professional and transparent technical proposal
Does the quotation clearly state capacity, span, lifting height, duty class, design standard, and brands of key parts?
1–2 year spare parts strategy
Do they provide a recommended spare parts list and stock quantity for 1–2 years of operation?
Clear after-sales response commitment
Do they give written response times (e.g. 24-hour remote response) and clarify how on-site service would be arranged and charged?
If a supplier meets these points, they are likely to be a long-term partner, not just a one-time seller.
6.3 Clear next step – what you can send to start a professional discussion
If you are planning an overhead crane for your project in Egypt, you can start simply by preparing:
project location and industry,
required capacity, span and lifting height,
building drawings or a simple sketch with main dimensions,
load type (coils, plates, equipment, ladles, etc.) and daily working hours.
Send this information to the supplier you trust, and ask for:
1–2 alternative technical proposals for comparison,
estimated overhead crane price in Egypt and delivery time,
optimisation suggestions for high temperature, dust and possible corrosion in your site.
Then you can use these proposals as a benchmark when talking to other suppliers.
It will be much easier to judge who is more professional and whose quotation is more reasonable.
7. Conclusion: in Egypt, choose the right crane first, then the cheapest one
For owners and buyers in Egypt, the overhead crane decision can be summarised in two sentences:
Clarify your working conditions, building and usage needs before talking about brand and price.
Choose the right crane type and supplier first, then compare who really gives you better value.
If you:
avoid over-sizing and mis-matching,
understand design standards and configurations behind the price,
balance local service and Chinese manufacturing advantages,
and send a complete RFQ with key parameters,
then whether you need a 5 t crane for a small workshop or a 50 t crane for a steel plant, you can find the best balance between cost, safety and efficiency for your project in Egypt.
Expert in Overhead Crane/Gantry Crane/Jib Crane/Crane Parts Solutions
Eileen
With 20+ years of experience in the Crane Overseas Export Industry, helped 10,000+ customers with their pre-sales questions and concerns, if you have any related needs, please feel free to contact me!
FAQ – common questions from overhead crane buyers in Egypt
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