Sep 13, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: Europe – Buckets, Shovels, Grabs And Grips For Ships’ Derricks And Cranes – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The European market for buckets, shovels, grabs, and grips for ships’ derricks and cranes is projected to experience modest growth over the next decade, with volume reaching 337 million units and value reaching $4.7 billion by 2035. Despite a significant -13.2% drop in consumption to 310M units in 2024, the market value grew by 10% to $3.9B, indicating higher per-unit prices. Italy, Germany, and Spain are the largest consuming and producing countries, while Austria has shown the most dynamic growth. The trade landscape was radically altered in 2024, with imports and exports plummeting by -71.5% and -86.8% in volume, respectively, but import and export prices surging by 206% and 531%, pointing to a major market correction and a shift towards higher-value goods.
Key Findings
Market is forecast to grow to 337M units ($4.7B) by 2035Consumption volume fell -13% to 310M units in 2024 while market value rose 10% to $3.9BItaly, Germany, and Spain are the top three consuming and producing nationsAustria recorded the fastest growth in both consumption value and per capita terms2024 saw a dramatic trade shift with import/export volumes collapsing but prices surging over 200%Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for ship derrick buckets and shovels in Europe, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 337M units by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $4.7B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionEurope’s Consumption of Buckets, Shovels, Grabs And Grips For Ships’ Derricks And Cranes
In 2024, consumption of buckets, shovels, grabs and grips for ships’ derricks and cranes decreased by -13.2% to 310M units, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs at 382M units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The value of the market for buckets, shovels, grabs and grips for ships’ derricks and cranes in Europe was estimated at $3.9B in 2024, growing by 10% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Italy (39M units), Germany (36M units) and Spain (34M units), together accounting for 35% of total consumption. The UK, Poland, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Austria (with a CAGR of +10.8%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($546M), Spain ($528M) and Italy ($506M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2024, with a combined 41% share of the total market. France, Poland, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, the UK and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.
Austria, with a CAGR of +17.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of ship derrick buckets and shovels per capita consumption in 2024 were Austria (1,693 units per 1000 persons), Sweden (947 units per 1000 persons) and Portugal (946 units per 1000 persons).
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Austria (with a CAGR of +10.2%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ProductionEurope’s Production of Buckets, Shovels, Grabs And Grips For Ships’ Derricks And Cranes
After three years of growth, production of buckets, shovels, grabs and grips for ships’ derricks and cranes decreased by -30.8% to 291M units in 2024. Overall, production recorded a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 12%. The volume of production peaked at 421M units in 2023, and then shrank sharply in the following year.
In value terms, ship derrick buckets and shovels production totaled $4.2B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Italy (40M units), Germany (37M units) and Spain (36M units), together accounting for 39% of total production. Poland, the UK, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Austria (with a CAGR of +10.0%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.
ImportsEurope’s Imports of Buckets, Shovels, Grabs And Grips For Ships’ Derricks And Cranes
In 2024, purchases abroad of buckets, shovels, grabs and grips for ships’ derricks and cranes decreased by -71.5% to 50M units, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at 196M units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, ship derrick buckets and shovels imports contracted to $1.1B in 2024. Total imports indicated tangible growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -18.0% against 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 42%. The level of import peaked at $1.4B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
Imports By Country
The UK was the main importer of buckets, shovels, grabs and grips for ships’ derricks and cranes in Europe, with the volume of imports reaching 25M units, which was near 50% of total imports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Norway (7.1M units), Switzerland (4.9M units) and Russia (4.8M units), together committing a 33% share of total imports. The following importers – Belgium (1.9M units), Ukraine (0.8M units) and Serbia (0.8M units) – together made up 7.1% of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to ship derrick buckets and shovels imports into the UK stood at +4.4%. At the same time, Serbia (+8.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Serbia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +8.5% from 2013-2024. Switzerland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Norway (-3.1%), Ukraine (-5.0%), Russia (-5.7%) and Belgium (-18.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The UK (+39 p.p.), Norway (+6.7 p.p.), Switzerland (+6.2 p.p.) and Russia (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Belgium saw its share reduced by -8.8% from 2013 to 2024, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, the UK ($113M), Belgium ($81M) and Norway ($53M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 22% share of total imports. Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine and Serbia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 7.5%.
Serbia, with a CAGR of +3.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The import price in Europe stood at $22 per unit in 2024, picking up by 206% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a strong increase. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($42 per unit), while the UK ($4.5 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+19.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.
ExportsEurope’s Exports of Buckets, Shovels, Grabs And Grips For Ships’ Derricks And Cranes
In 2024, shipments abroad of buckets, shovels, grabs and grips for ships’ derricks and cranes decreased by -86.8% to 32M units for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports faced a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 34% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at 241M units in 2023, and then contracted sharply in the following year.
In value terms, ship derrick buckets and shovels exports contracted markedly to $1.4B in 2024. Total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $1.7B in 2023, and then shrank notably in the following year.
Exports By Country
In 2024, the UK (13M units) represented the key exporter of buckets, shovels, grabs and grips for ships’ derricks and cranes, constituting 42% of total exports. Serbia (2.3M units) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Spain (1.8M units), Russia (1.8M units), Albania (1.7M units), Poland (1.7M units) and Italy (1.5M units). All these countries together took near 34% share of total exports. Norway (1.2M units), Switzerland (0.9M units) and France (0.9M units) took a little share of total exports.
Exports from the UK increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Albania (+42.7%), Serbia (+41.1%) and Switzerland (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Albania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +42.7% from 2013-2024. Russia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Spain (-8.6%), Norway (-9.3%), Poland (-14.8%), France (-18.9%) and Italy (-19.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the UK (+37 p.p.), Serbia (+7.2 p.p.), Albania (+5.4 p.p.), Russia (+4.4 p.p.), Spain (+2.7 p.p.), Switzerland (+2.5 p.p.) and Norway (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2013-2024, the share of France (-2.6 p.p.) and Italy (-4.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, the largest ship derrick buckets and shovels supplying countries in Europe were Italy ($188M), Poland ($100M) and the UK ($68M), with a combined 26% share of total exports. Spain, France, Norway, Serbia, Russia, Switzerland and Albania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 11%.
Among the main exporting countries, Albania, with a CAGR of +46.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
The export price in Europe stood at $43 per unit in 2024, surging by 531% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a resilient expansion. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($124 per unit), while Albania ($2.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+29.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.