Abstract: The crane comprises a generally horizontal boom or other supporting structure having at least one rail thereon, a trolley having a reversible drive for moving the trolley in either direction along the rail, a wire rope hoist suspended from the trolley, and a load carrying device suspended from the hoist for selectively grasping and releasing a freight container or some other load. The crane has a control system which causes the trolley drive to stop the trolley momentarily at a first stopping position. Due to the control system, the drive then restarts the trolley and stops it at a second stopping position directly over a transfer position where the load is to be delivered and released. If the load is a freight container, the transfer position may be directly over a cell of a container ship. The control system includes an encoder for determining the length of the pendulum comprising the trolley, the hoist, the load carrying device and the load.