Russia’s Premier Exhibition for Special Machinery and Lifting Equipment
Cranes, hoists, aerial work platforms, and port loaders are the backbone of modern construction, industry, and logistics. In Russia, the specialised event for this critical sector is SPTO.Cranes. Officially titled the Exhibition of Special Machinery and Lifting-Transport Equipment, SPTO.Cranes is the country’s largest and most important annual gathering for manufacturers, suppliers, and users of cranes, lifting mechanisms, and high-altitude access equipment. Held in Moscow, the exhibition serves as the central hub for the lifting industry across Russia and the entire CIS region.
Exhibition Overview
SPTO.Cranes, which originated from the earlier CraneExpo event, has established itself as the only professional exhibition in Russia and the CIS dedicated exclusively to cranes, lifting equipment, and high-altitude access machinery. The exhibition covers the complete spectrum of the industry, from heavy-duty construction cranes and port loaders to delicate warehouse lifting mechanisms, industrial elevators, and advanced automation systems.
The exhibition is organised by Expodesign, a Russian exhibition company, and receives strong support from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, construction associations, and the heavy machinery union. The 2026 edition marks the 17th iteration of this annual event, which has grown steadily in both scale and influence.
Venue and Schedule
For 2026, SPTO.Cranes returns to the historic VDNH Exhibition Center in Moscow. The exhibition will take place in Pavilion 57 at VDNH from 17 to 19 June 2026.
VDNH, which stands for the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy, is one of Moscow’s largest and most iconic exhibition complexes. The venue is located on Prospekt Mira and is easily accessible via the VDNH metro station. The return to VDNH represents a return to the exhibition’s roots, as the original CraneExpo was held at this venue before moving to the Expocentre between 2022 and 2025.
A Brief History
SPTO.Cranes has a history spanning nearly two decades. The exhibition was first held in Moscow in 2007. For many years, it operated under the name CraneExpo, focusing specifically on crane technology. As the event grew and the range of exhibited products expanded to include aerial work platforms, industrial elevators, and comprehensive transport equipment, the exhibition was rebranded as SPTO.Cranes.
From 2022 to 2025, the exhibition was held at the Expocentre Fairgrounds, located near the Delovoy Tsentr metro station. The 2026 edition marks a return to VDNH, with organisers promising an updated, expanded format covering a broader range of topics than in previous years.
Product Categories
SPTO.Cranes covers an extensive range of product and service categories relevant to the lifting and transport industry:
Construction and Engineering Cranes: Truck-mounted cranes, crawler cranes, tower cranes, tyre cranes, loader cranes, and winches. These form the core of the exhibition and attract significant attention from construction companies and infrastructure developers.
Industrial Cranes: Overhead travelling cranes, gantry cranes, metallurgical cranes, and various specialised cranes for factory and warehouse applications.
Port and Marine Equipment: Ship-to-shore container cranes, yard container cranes, portal cranes, high-platform tyre cranes, container reach stackers, straddle carriers, and bulk material handling equipment. This category is of particular interest to Russia’s port operators as the country develops its Far Eastern and Arctic shipping routes.
Aerial Work Platforms: Scissor lifts, articulating boom lifts, telescopic boom lifts, spider lifts, truck-mounted aerial platforms, and fire-fighting aerial ladders. With Russia’s construction safety modernisation programme requiring the replacement of outdated scaffolding with mechanised solutions, this category has grown significantly in importance.
Industrial Vehicles: Electric forklifts, internal combustion forklifts, stackers, automated guided vehicles, and off-road dump trucks.
Elevators and Escalators: Passenger elevators, freight elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and lifts for disabled persons. This section attracts manufacturers and installers serving Russia’s commercial and residential building sectors.
Warehouse Equipment and Lifting Mechanisms: Hoists, chain blocks, lever hoists, jacks, hydraulic lifting tables, pallet trucks, and other material handling equipment for logistics and storage operations.
Control and Automation Systems: Crane control systems, anti-collision devices, load moment indicators, remote operation systems, safety monitoring platforms, and automation solutions for lifting equipment.
Components and Spare Parts: Slewing bearings, wire ropes, hydraulic systems, gearboxes, brakes, couplings, electric motors,减速器, and other essential components for crane manufacturing and maintenance.
Services and Rental: Equipment leasing and rental services, insurance companies, training and certification centres, and industrial safety consulting.
Scale and Participation
The scale of SPTO.Cranes has grown substantially over its history. At its most recent editions, the exhibition has welcomed over 200 exhibitors from more than 15 countries, including Russia, China, Germany, Turkey, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Italy. Professional attendance has exceeded 8,000 visitors, including equipment procurement managers, safety supervisors, and project engineers from major Russian enterprises.
Major attendees include representatives from Rosatom (nuclear energy), Gazprom (natural gas), LSR Group (construction materials), PIK (residential development), Mosinzhproekt (infrastructure design and construction), and numerous port operators, mining companies, and metallurgical plants.
The 2026 edition is expected to feature expanded exhibition space in VDNH’s Pavilion 57, with expectations of increased exhibitor and visitor numbers.
Visitor Profile
SPTO.Cranes attracts a highly professional and decision-making audience. Typical visitors include:
Equipment Procurement Managers from construction companies, industrial enterprises, port authorities, and logistics firms.
Safety Supervisors and Chief Engineers seeking compliant and reliable lifting solutions for hazardous or demanding environments.
Project Managers from infrastructure, energy, and residential development projects requiring large cranes and aerial platforms.
Facility Managers responsible for warehouse and factory material handling equipment.
Equipment Rental Company Representatives looking to expand their fleets with new cranes and access machinery.
Maintenance and Service Specialists seeking components, spare parts, and repair solutions.
Business Programme and Industry Focus
SPTO.Cranes features a comprehensive business programme alongside the exhibition floor. Conferences, roundtable discussions, and technical seminars address both strategic industry trends and practical operational topics:
Market Analysis Sessions covering Russia’s crane and lifting equipment market, import substitution trends, and forecasts for different equipment categories.
Technical Presentations on new crane designs, high-altitude access technology, automation and remote control systems, and safety innovations.
Regulatory and Safety Forums discussing GOST R compliance requirements, industrial safety certification, and the government’s “Construction Site Safety Modernisation” policy, which mandates the use of mechanised access equipment on large projects.
Import Substitution Roundtables addressing how Russian manufacturers can fill gaps left by departing Western suppliers and how buyers can source reliable domestic alternatives.
Networking Events bringing together equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and major end users.
Import Substitution and the Russian Market
Import substitution has become a central theme at SPTO.Cranes. Following the imposition of international sanctions, Russian crane and lifting equipment users have faced challenges in sourcing new equipment and spare parts from traditional Western suppliers. This has created both challenges and opportunities.
The Russian government has actively promoted import substitution, encouraging domestic manufacturing and sourcing from countries that maintain trade relations with Russia. According to customs data, Russian imports of lifting machinery exceeded $1.2 billion in 2024, with products from China showing particularly strong growth, exceeding 50 per cent year-on-year in categories such as tower cranes, truck cranes, loader cranes, and aerial work platforms.
Chinese manufacturers have emerged as significant participants at SPTO.Cranes, capitalising on their technological maturity, competitive pricing, shorter delivery times, and responsive after-sales service. Many Chinese companies are now exploring deeper market penetration through local service centres or joint assembly ventures with Russian partners.
Russian manufacturers of cranes and lifting equipment have also expanded their presence at the exhibition, showcasing domestically produced components and complete machines designed to replace previously imported products.
The High-Altitude Work Platform Sector
One of the fastest-growing segments at SPTO.Cranes is aerial work platforms. The Russian government’s “Construction Site Safety Modernisation” policy has accelerated demand for mechanised access equipment. The policy requires that all major new construction projects use equipment compliant with GOST R standards and gradually phase out traditional scaffolding in favour of mechanised, intelligent high-altitude access solutions.
This has created significant opportunities for manufacturers of scissor lifts, boom lifts, truck-mounted platforms, and specialised equipment for hazardous environments. The exhibition features a dedicated section for high-altitude work platforms, with particular attention to electric, low-noise, and high-safety models suited to Russia’s urban construction sites.
Focus on Safety and Compliance
Safety is a recurring theme throughout SPTO.Cranes. The exhibition features a range of products and services related to crane and access equipment safety, including:
Load moment indicators and anti-two-block devices
Wire rope inspection and testing equipment
Operator training and certification programmes
Industrial safety consulting services
Fall protection equipment, including harnesses, lanyards, and safety nets
Anti-collision systems for tower cranes on congested sites
Remote monitoring and telematics systems for fleet management
Technical sessions and seminars address the practical aspects of maintaining safety compliance, training operators, and implementing safety management systems.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 edition of SPTO.Cranes, scheduled for 17 to 19 June at VDNH Pavilion 57, promises to be the largest and most comprehensive yet. The return to VDNH, with its larger exhibition spaces and historical significance as Moscow’s premier exhibition venue, is expected to attract increased participation from both exhibitors and visitors.
Key themes for 2026 include:
- Continued import substitution and the expansion of domestic manufacturing capabilities
- The growth of high-altitude work platforms and mechanised access solutions
- Digitalisation and automation of crane operations, including remote control and telematics
- Safety modernisation and compliance with updated GOST R standards
- Expansion of Russian port and logistics infrastructure, driving demand for port cranes and material handling equipment
Practical Information for Visitors
- Dates: 17–19 June 2026
- Venue: VDNH Exhibition Center, Pavilion 57
- Address: Prospekt Mira, 119, Moscow, Russia, 129223
- Metro Station: VDNH (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya Line)
- Admission: Trade only. Registration or tickets available at the event.
SPTO.Cranes has established itself as the indispensable event for Russia’s crane, lifting equipment, and high-altitude access industry. For manufacturers, it provides access to serious buyers with concrete purchasing plans. For suppliers of components and services, it offers a platform to present products to a knowledgeable, decision-making audience. For end users, it delivers a comprehensive overview of available technologies and solutions in a market undergoing rapid transformation.
The exhibition’s enduring value lies in its focus on the specific needs of the Russian and CIS markets. In a period of import substitution, infrastructure expansion, and safety modernisation, SPTO.Cranes provides the platform where equipment meets demand, where safety standards are discussed and implemented, and where partnerships are forged.
Every June in Moscow, the lifting industry gathers at SPTO.Cranes to demonstrate new equipment, share technical knowledge, and build the relationships that will lift Russia’s construction, industrial, and logistics sectors to new heights. SPTO.Cranes is where heavy lifting meets smart solutions.
