Global Cranes Rental Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)

• In January 2025, United Rentals announced a 4.8 billion all-cash acquisition of H&E Equipment Services, increasing its fleet by almost 64,000 units and aiming for 130 million in annual synergies.

• In February 2025, Herc Rentals outbid with a 5.3 billion cash-and-stock offer for H&E Equipment Services, adding 160 branches, 64,000 machines and 2,900 employees to bolster its market position.

In this report, the Cranes Rental Market has been segmented by Type, Weight Lifting Capacity, Rental Duration, End-Use Industry and Geography.

Cranes Rental Market, Segmentation by Type

The Cranes Rental Market has been segmented by Type into Mobile Cranes and Fixed Cranes.

Mobile Cranes

Mobile cranes dominate the cranes rental market with a share exceeding 65%, owing to their flexibility, ease of transport, and quick setup. These cranes are widely used in urban construction, infrastructure development, and maintenance projects where space and time are constrained.

Fixed Cranes

Fixed cranes hold nearly 35% of the market and are favored for their load-bearing capacity and stability in long-term construction projects. They are essential in applications like high-rise buildings, bridges, and industrial plants, where consistent performance and height advantage are critical.

Cranes Rental Market, Segmentation by Weight Lifting Capacity

The Cranes Rental Market has been segmented by Weight Lifting Capacity into Low Weight Lifting Capacity, LowMedium Weight Lifting Capacity, Heavy Weight Lifting Capacity, and Extreme Heavy Weight Lifting Capacity.

Low Weight Lifting Capacity

Low weight lifting capacity cranes (up to 10 tons) account for around 27% of the rental market. These cranes are ideal for light-duty tasks such as residential construction, warehouse loading, and equipment installation where agility and cost-efficiency are priorities.

Low-Medium Weight Lifting Capacity

Cranes with low-medium lifting capacity (11–50 tons) hold nearly 31% of the market. Their versatility makes them popular in urban infrastructure projects, mid-rise buildings, and maintenance operations, offering a balance between mobility and performance.

Heavy Weight Lifting Capacity

Heavy weight lifting cranes (51–150 tons) constitute approximately 25% of the market. They are widely used in industrial settings, bridge construction, and structural steel placement, where both precision and strength are required.

Extreme Heavy Weight Lifting Capacity

Extreme heavy weight cranes (above 150 tons) make up around 17% of the rental market. These cranes are essential in mega construction projects, offshore operations, and large-scale industrial installations requiring high-lift capacity and structural stability.

Cranes Rental Market, Segmentation by Rental Duration

The Cranes Rental Market has been segmented by Rental Duration into Short-Term Rentals and Long-Term Rentals.

Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals dominate the crane rental market, comprising nearly 62% of the total share. These rentals are preferred for temporary construction projects, emergency repairs, and event setups where flexibility and cost-effectiveness are critical.

Long-Term Rentals

Long-term rentals account for about 38% of the market, catering to projects with extended timelines such as infrastructure development, industrial plant construction, and urban redevelopment. These agreements often come with maintenance packages and bulk pricing benefits.

Cranes Rental Market, Segmentation by End-Use Industry

The Cranes Rental Market has been segmented by End-Use Industry into Building & Construction, Oil & Gas, Marine & Offshore, Mining & Excavation, Transportation, and Others.

Building & Construction

The building & construction sector holds the largest share of over 40% in the cranes rental market. The demand is fueled by rising urban infrastructure projects, commercial real estate development, and residential construction activities across both developed and developing regions.

Oil & Gas

The oil & gas industry accounts for nearly 18% of the market, with cranes being used for rig installation, equipment handling, and maintenance in offshore and onshore drilling operations. The segment benefits from the sector's cyclical investment in exploration and production.

Marine & Offshore

Marine & offshore applications represent approximately 12% of the cranes rental market. These cranes are critical for port operations, shipbuilding, and logistics loading/unloading in coastal infrastructure and offshore platforms.

Mining & Excavation

The mining & excavation segment captures around 15% of the market, driven by the use of heavy-duty cranes in ore extraction, equipment relocation, and mining pit development. The sector demands robust lifting solutions for extreme terrains.

Transportation

Transportation accounts for about 9% of crane rental usage, especially in railway construction, bridge assembly, and cargo handling. The sector relies on cranes to support the development of logistics corridors and multimodal hubs.

Others

The others segment includes sectors such as utilities, entertainment, and government projects, making up the remaining 6% of the market. These applications are characterized by specialized lifting needs and project-based crane deployment.

Cranes Rental Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Cranes Rental Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Cranes Rental Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America

North America holds a market share of around 28%, driven by high demand from the construction, oil & gas, and infrastructure development sectors. The U.S. dominates this region due to substantial investments in urban redevelopment and energy infrastructure.

Europe

Europe accounts for nearly 22% of the cranes rental market. The region's growth is supported by ongoing infrastructure modernization, transportation upgrades, and a strong presence of rental service providers in countries such as Germany, France, and the UK.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific leads the global market with a share exceeding 35%, fueled by rapid urbanization, extensive infrastructure development, and growing industrial activities in China, India, and Southeast Asia. The surge in smart city projects further accelerates demand.

Middle East and Africa

This region captures approximately 9% of the global market, supported by investments in oil & gas exploration, commercial construction, and mega infrastructure projects in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Rental services benefit from cost-effective deployment.

Latin America

Latin America contributes around 6% to the overall market. Growth in this region is led by public infrastructure projects and residential developments in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, with increased preference for cost-efficient crane rentals.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Cranes Rental Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Increasing infrastructure and urbanization activities
• Growing demand from oil and gas sector
• Rising cost-efficiency of renting over buying

• Adoption of technologically advanced rental fleets - The reshaping the cranes rental market by enhancing efficiency, safety, and operational control. Rental companies are investing in digitally enabled cranes equipped with telematics, real-time tracking, and remote diagnostics, allowing users to monitor equipment performance and usage with greater precision.

  These innovations improve fleet utilization and reduce downtime by enabling predictive maintenance and timely repairs. Advanced cranes also feature automated load management systems, collision avoidance technology, and ergonomically enhanced operator cabins, which collectively boost worker safety and jobsite productivity. The integration of GPS and IOT-based control systems provides actionable data for fleet optimization.

  For project owners, renting such advanced equipment offers access to state-of-the-art machinery without the burden of ownership costs. It also ensures compliance with modern safety standards and supports environmental goals through fuel-efficient models. As demand grows for data-driven construction practices, the appeal of advanced rental options continues to rise.

  Rental providers that focus on tech-centric upgrades and smart fleet management are better positioned to meet client expectations and gain a competitive edge. The trend is expected to drive long-term growth as digital transformation becomes central to construction equipment operations.

Restraints

• High maintenance and operational complexities
• Shortage of skilled crane operators
• Fluctuations in raw material and fuel prices

• Regulatory challenges in heavy equipment handling - A persistent barrier in the cranes rental industry. Different regions impose varying safety regulations, operator licensing laws, and transportation guidelines, creating complexity for rental companies operating across multiple jurisdictions.

  Stringent compliance requirements often demand frequent inspections, updated certifications, and adherence to load-bearing limits. Failure to meet these standards can result in fines, project delays, or legal liability. This regulatory burden increases administrative costs and affects the ease of business expansion.

  Operators must be thoroughly trained to meet OSHA, ISO, and regional safety benchmarks, but training programs and license renewals often vary widely. Navigating these inconsistencies complicates workforce management and raises operational risk, especially in fast-paced or cross-border projects.

  To remain competitive, rental firms must invest in compliance monitoring systems, build region-specific safety protocols, and collaborate with regulatory bodies to ensure smooth operations. While these efforts improve credibility and risk mitigation, they also increase the cost and complexity of doing business in this sector.

Opportunities

• Emergence of rental-based smart cranes
• Expansion in renewable energy construction sites
• Growing focus on fleet digitization solutions

• Public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects - Unlocking significant opportunities for the cranes rental market. Governments worldwide are collaborating with private firms to accelerate the development of transport networks, urban housing, energy plants, and smart cities, all of which require large-scale crane operations.

  These partnerships enable faster project execution by leveraging private-sector efficiency and public funding. Cranes rental companies benefit from long-term contracts that ensure consistent demand and revenue visibility. They also play a key role in supporting mega infrastructure projects where heavy-lifting and site mobility are critical.

  Governments are increasingly issuing tender-based contracts that favor vendors with fleet flexibility, safety records, and technology-backed services. Rental providers that meet these criteria can build strategic partnerships and gain access to high-value projects spanning several years. This trend enhances market penetration and supports scalability.

  To capitalize on these partnerships, companies must align with sustainability mandates, offer modernized fleets, and build cross-sector alliances. The growing reliance on private-sector participation in infrastructure development is expected to further drive demand for rental-based crane services globally.

Key players in Cranes Rental Market include:

• Liebherr Group
• United Rentals, Inc
• H&E Equipment Services, Inc
• Terex Corporation
• Faymonville Group
• Cargotec Corporation
• Manitowoc Company, Inc
• Kato Works Co., Ltd
• SANY Group
• Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Market Share Analysis
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis