Abstract: A freight loading/unloading crane (10) comprises a crane bridge (16) with two lifting units (26, 28) displaceable in their longitudinal direction with a lifting system (26b, 28b) and associated load receiving device (26c, 28c) and a transfer unit (32) with at least one load receiving region (32o, 32u). To prepare for a load exchange with one of the lifting units (26, 28), the transfer unit (32) is stopped adjacent to the lifting unit in question, so that this can continue to raise or lower its lifting system (26b or 28b) independently of the position of the transfer unit (32). The actual load exchange takes place by means of an operating device (36o, 36u), without further movement of the transfer unit (32).