Quayside container cranes (QCCs), essential for cargo handling in seaport operations, are particularly vulnerable to damage under strong wind conditions. This study investigates the wind-induced dynamic behavior of QCCs equipped with active anti-wind systems, focusing on the mechanisms that govern cable stress and sliding instability. A five-degree-of-freedom mathematical model is established, incorporating nonlinear cable stiffness, restricted sliding through a Kelvin-Voigt collision model, and a combined Stribeck-Coulomb friction model for the wheel-rail interface. Parametric studies are conducted to evaluate the influence of three key factors, the anti-wind cable diameter, the sliding displacement of the QCC wheel, and the wheel-rail friction coefficient, on cable stress responses. The results show that increasing the cable diameter and friction coefficient significantly reduces peak cable stress, whereas greater sliding displacement increases stress accumulation and structural vulnerability. Sensitivity analysis reveals that cable diameter has the most dominant effect on cable stress, followed by sliding displacement and friction coefficient. This work might provide theoretical foundations for the design and optimisation of wind-resistant QCC structures, as well as for the development of more reliable anti-wind protection systems in extreme conditions.