Plug & play operator cabins for Ship-to-Shore, RTG and RMG cranes, engineered and built in the Netherlands to Dutch Quality standards. You spend less on maintenance and get more years of reliable operation out of every cabin.
Plug & play operator cabins
Built in the Netherlands
40,000+ cabins produced
A terminal manager planning a midlife crane upgrade runs into the same question every time: fix what’s there, or replace it? STS and RTG cranes are built to last 25 to 30 years, but most need that midlife upgrade after just 12 to 15 years, depending on maintenance and environmental conditions. On its own, a cabin typically lasts 15 to 20 years. But a crane upgrade is the natural moment to modernize it too, where comfort, safety and productivity matter most.
By then, many cabins have become ergonomically outdated and technically obsolete, even if they haven’t broken down. They cost more to keep running each year, and no longer meet current safety and comfort standards.
A refurbishment patches the old structure with new components. It looks like the cheaper option at first glance, but the ageing structure keeps deteriorating underneath the repairs, so the real cost tends to show up later, in repeat visits and unplanned maintenance. A full replacement costs more upfront. You get a cabin engineered and built to last, with the latest ergonomic and safety standards designed in from the start.
Instead of patching your existing cabin, our engineers design, build and test a completely new plug & play operator cabin at our factory in the Netherlands, under full quality control, before it ever leaves for your terminal.
Our approach:
On-site: 1. Remove the old cabin. 2. Install the new cabin. 3. Connect, test and commission.
The cabin arrives fully built and factory-tested, so the crew on-site can install it efficiently. That’s a result of doing the engineering right beforehand, not the point of the exercise. The point is a cabin that keeps performing for years, with far less maintenance than a patched-up structure.
A new cabin costs more upfront than a refurbishment. Over the cabin’s working life, terminal operators tend to earn that investment back in fewer repairs and fewer unplanned maintenance calls. Specifically:
A completely new cabin, engineered as a whole rather than an old structure with components bolted onto it. Floor glazing tested to NEN 2023 and BS EN 13557, floor construction tested to DIN 18008-5 and -6, backed by a 5-year coating warranty.
Fewer repairs and less unplanned downtime than an ageing, patched cabin. The higher upfront investment gets offset over the cabin’s working life, not just on day one.
Heating, cooling and fresh air as standard, in a cabin designed around the operator rather than just the equipment. Fatigue drops, and performance stays consistent over long shifts.
Clear sightlines, and your new cabin connects directly with current control systems, HMI and automation.
Want the complete story? Market context, our engineering and quality standards, reference projects and the numbers behind our track record.
From first contact to full handover, our own engineers manage every step.
01
We take in your request, technical specifications and project objectives.
02
Metagro, you, or a third party surveys the existing crane, cabin and interfaces.
03
Our engineers work directly with your technical team to define a fully integrated cabin or seat solution.
04
We engineer the cabin and seat configuration for mechanical and electrical integration.
05
The cabin is produced, assembled and put through a Factory Acceptance Test, with full documentation.
06
We monitor planning, scope and milestones throughout.
07
We deliver the complete solution, including transport coordination if required.
08
The existing cabin or seat comes out, and the new unit goes in on-site.
09
We commission on-site or remote, followed by handover.
10
You receive technical documentation and spare parts information, with ongoing technical support after completion.
DUTCH QUALITY
ENGINEERING
Global crane cabin expertise. Plug & play operator cabins, built to last. More than 60 years of cabin manufacturing experience, with complete cabin design, construction and integration all in-house.
cabins produced
STS cabins installed
RTG cabins installed
Ergoseats supplied
Installed across Europe, Latin America, the US, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa. 150 employees, 105,000 parts delivered annually, under 100 hours worldwide delivery and 25+ partners worldwide.
The sooner we’re involved, the better the result. Early engagement lets our engineers properly assess your existing cabin and crane interface, align the design with your midlife upgrade planning, and secure a production slot in our factory, so every detail is right before we start building.
Don’t wait until the crane is already scheduled for overhaul. Early planning is what separates a cabin that’s built to last from one that’s rushed to fit a deadline.
Contact us, and turn your midlife upgrade into a well-engineered investment that keeps paying off for years.
Paul Michon, Manager Global Business Development
+31 (0)6 13 14 88 15 · [email protected]
Our agents
Wherever your terminal operates, Metagro is close by. We work with a network of 20+ specialist agents across container handling and steel, bulk and mining, covering North and Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. They support sales, installation and after-sales service locally.
Can I replace the cabin without replacing the crane?
Yes, and that’s the whole idea behind our replacement service. A new, custom-engineered cabin mechanically fits your existing crane, so the crane stays in operation while the operator gets a modern, safe and comfortable workspace, at a fraction of the cost of a full crane replacement.
Is cabin replacement more expensive than a refurbishment?
Usually, yes, upfront. A refurbishment reuses the old cabin structure and adds new components to it, which looks cheaper at first. But that structure keeps ageing underneath the repairs, so you tend to pay again later in maintenance and repeat repairs. A new Metagro cabin costs more at the outset, and pays that back over the years in lower maintenance and fewer surprises.
What’s the difference between cabin replacement and refurbishment?
A refurbishment reuses the old cabin structure and adds new components to it, so execution risk stays higher and long-term durability stays uncertain. A Metagro replacement is a completely new cabin, engineered, built and factory-tested in the Netherlands before it ever reaches your site, giving you an asset that costs less to maintain over its working life.
Can I upgrade only the operator seat instead of the full cabin?
Yes. A partial upgrade is possible within the replacement process. We can replace just the operator seat with our ergonomic Ergoseat, for an immediate improvement in comfort and productivity. Read more on why ergonomic seats matter for crane operators. without a full cabin project.
How long does a cabin replacement take on-site?
Our cabins are fully built and factory-tested before they arrive, so on-site work is limited to removing the old cabin, installing the new one, and connecting, testing and commissioning it. That’s shorter than a traditional overhaul, with far fewer surprises, since the engineering was already done properly beforehand.
Are there standards the new cabin has to meet?
Requirements vary by industry and region. Our cabins are engineered to relevant international standards, including NEN 2023 and BS EN 13557 for floor glazing and DIN 18008 for floor construction, and each project is checked against the site-specific specifications that apply to your terminal.
Do you support projects outside the Netherlands?
Yes. We’ve built and installed cabins across Europe, Latin America, the US, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa, supported by our own team and a global network of agents for local installation and after-sales support.
When should I replace a crane cabin, instead of repairing it?
There’s a point where repairs start costing more than they’re worth, and a full cabin replacement becomes the better investment. Rising maintenance costs and outdated ergonomics are the clearest signals that point has arrived. Read the full guide: When to replace a crane cabin.
What are the signs that my crane cabin needs replacing?
Worn seals, fading visibility, frequent small repairs and an ergonomics setup that no longer meets current standards all point the same way. Knowing these signs lets you plan a replacement before a breakdown forces the decision.
How long does a crane cabin last?
Most cabins are built to last well over a decade, but the real number depends on maintenance, environmental conditions and how intensively the crane runs. Once a cabin reaches the end of that life, a decision on replacement can’t be postponed any longer.
Does a crane cabin last as long as the crane itself?
Not always. STS and RTG cranes are built to run for 25 to 30 years, but the cabin often needs attention well before that, typically around the 12 to 15 year mark. That’s why cabin replacement is best planned as part of your midlife crane upgrade.
