31.10.2012

14 tower cranes for the Panama Canal

Canal contractor Grupo Unida Por El Canal (GUPC) has purchased 14 new Potain tower cranes for the expansion of the Panama Canal.

The 10 tonne MC205 tower cranes have a 50 metre hook height and can lift three tonnes at the 50 metre jib tip. Additional features include air conditioning in the cab and an LVF Optima winch which automatically adapts and optimises hoist speed, offering faster cycle times. The cranes are positioned on both the Atlantic and Pacific side of the canal and will be used to install rebar, formwork and other machinery.

GUPC also rented a 220 tonne Grove GMK5220 and 130 tonne GMK5130-2 All Terrain crane as well as a 90 tonne TMS9000E truck crane and an 80 tonne RT890E Rough Terrain crane from the Grove dealer for Panama – Corpinsa, which also installed the Potain cranes, established their configurations and set the foundations for the fixed base units trained staff in the maintenance and operation of the cranes.
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The Manitowoc tower and mobile cranes working on the Panama Canal

Alvaro Alanis, tower crane sales manager for Manitowoc, Latin America, said: “It took us several months and multiple visits to Corpinsa and GUPC to form this partnership. We recommended Potain tower cranes because of their heavy-lift capability and ability to move laterally on jobsite railways. This saves the workers from having to constantly assemble and disassemble the cranes as they move up and down the canal.”

Raymond Mizrachi, general manager of Corpinsa, added: “Our work with GUPC is ongoing for the duration of the canal’s expansion, which is scheduled for completion in 2014. Along with support from Manitowoc Crane Care, we are providing crane maintenance and technical support, and we have set up a spare parts yard on the jobsite to ensure the cranes can continue to work around the clock.”

“The biggest challenge of this project is the limited time frame. Because everything has to be done quickly the cranes can never stop working, so a responsive and effective support system must be in place. We have been successful in all phases of our involvement and GUPC reports that it is very pleased with the Potain and Grove cranes.”

Once completed, the canal will have the capacity to accommodate larger ships including supertankers and larger container ships. The GUPC consortium includes Sacyr Vallehermoso of Spain, Impregilo of Italy, Jan De Nul of Belgium and Constructura Urbana, SA (CUSA) of Panama.