September 25th, 2025 – Mediterranean Shipping Co.’s terminal division is backing the U.S. effort to reshore maritime equipment manufacturing away from China, committing to new ship-to-shore cranes that will incorporate American-made parts. The order comes through Paceco, a crane manufacturer supplying Total Terminals International (TTI) at the Port of Long Beach, which is operated by MSC’s Terminal Investment Limited and is the largest container facility at the port.
The two new cranes, designed to handle ultra-large containerships, are scheduled to begin operations in 2027. While the cranes themselves will be built in Japan, Paceco confirmed that key components will be sourced from U.S. companies. The move demonstrates the availability of reliable alternatives that not only serve port operational needs but also advance broader goals of national security and supply chain resilience.
Paceco, a subsidiary of Japan’s Mitsui E&S, was identified by the U.S. government as one of the beneficiaries of nearly $20 billion in Infrastructure Act grants aimed at boosting domestic ship-to-shore crane production. Those grants were part of a broader response to concerns about the dominance of Chinese manufacturer ZPMC in the global crane market.
Despite this support, U.S. crane manufacturers are still facing competitive headwinds. The Trump administration has floated a 100% tariff on Chinese cranes and components, but until that takes effect, imports remain subject to a 30% reciprocal tariff. By contrast, cranes sourced from Japan, like those destined for Long Beach, fall under a 15% tariff.
The higher costs tied to tariffs are already reshaping port budgets. The South Carolina Ports Authority, for example, had originally set aside $25 million for new cranes from ZPMC but was forced to revise its plans when turning to non-Chinese suppliers, raising the projected cost to $34 million. For ports nationwide, balancing cost pressures with long-term security and supply chain considerations is becoming a central factor in procurement decisions.
