NFT Group, a leading tower crane company, has recently acquired two landmark Potain tower cranes and has shipped them to a high-profile tourist destination in Saudi Arabia. These cranes will be used for construction purposes as part of the NEOM development, a massive project in the country.
The two cranes purchased by NFT Group are the MCT 1105, the largest topless tower crane from Potain, and the MCT 1005, one of the previous largest models. NFT Group has a long-standing partnership with Potain and already has several giant MD 1100 cranes in its fleet. The positive experience with the MD 1100 led NFT Group to express its interest in the MCT 1105 and MCT 1005.
Nawar Al Zahlawi, the business development manager at NFT Group, stated that the new cranes have exceeded their expectations. The load charts are better than expected, and the topless design allows the cranes to work seamlessly alongside other cranes. Additionally, the cranes have monobloc mast sections, making them quicker to erect.
The cranes will be used on the Sindalah project, a luxury Red Sea Island resort and part of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project. Due to limited space and the absence of accessible routes for mobile or crawler cranes on the island, large capacity tower cranes were the only option. The construction timeline is tight, so a precast design is being employed to speed up the build time. The two Potain cranes, with their impressive lifting capacities, were deemed perfect for the job.
Both cranes have been configured with 50m jibs for the project, although they can accommodate up to 80m. The MCT 1005 has a 43.1m height under hook, while the MCT 1105 has a 63.1m height under hook. Both cranes can lift a maximum of 50 tons, with the MCT 1005 lifting 8 tons at its 80m jib radius and the MCT 1105 lifting an impressive 11 tons at the same radius.
According to Al Zahlawi, the installation process of these new cranes was seamless and a delight to witness. The enthusiasm shown by the erectors and the new design developments by Potain brings great satisfaction to NFT Group.
In conclusion, the acquisition of these landmark Potain tower cranes by NFT Group and their subsequent deployment to the NEOM project in Saudi Arabia is a significant development. The capabilities of these cranes and their suitability for the Sindalah project highlight the importance of advanced machinery in the field of construction. The use of these cranes will undoubtedly contribute to the successful completion of this high-profile tourist destination.
