Work is advancing on the construction of the PalaRicciardi arena in the Salinella district of Taranto, Italy, where two Grove all-terrain cranes are being used to assemble the venue’s steel roof structure.
The arena is scheduled to host events for the Mediterranean Games 2026, which are set to take place from 21 August to 3 September.
The GMK4100L-2 and GMK3060L-1 cranes have been supplied by Servidea Sollevamenti and Gamit, companies specialising in crane services.
Technical and aftersales support is being provided by Grove’s Italian dealer FIMI and Manitowoc Italy.
The equipment is being used to lift a large steel tensile roof composed of prefabricated, galvanised tubular components.
Work on site follows a strict sequencing plan in coordination with the main contractor, Ferraro, and steel fabricator, Stoma Engineering.
The 100t capacity GMK4100L-2 is responsible for the primary lifts, providing significant reach and power.
The smaller, 60t capacity GMK3060L-1 is assigned to support roles, assisting with intermediate tasks and operating in confined spaces where manoeuvrability is critical.
This combination is intended to maintain workflow and efficiency under a tight project schedule.
Difficult ground conditions have required tailored solutions, as the arena is being built on the site of a former lagoon known for its weak load-bearing properties.
To address this, both cranes are set up on custom-made steel load-spreading plates, up to three metres wide, to ensure stability during lifting activities.
Servidea Sollevamenti and Gamit managing director Ivano Masciantonio said: “For a project running 24 hours a day, confidence in the cranes and real-time monitoring are essential.
“The reliability of Grove technology and standardised Crane Control System (CCS) across the range are key factors in maintaining productivity on such a demanding, multi-shift site.”
The GMK4100L-2 is a four-axle crane with a 60m main boom and an overall length of 13.21m, making it suitable for jobs requiring both reach and compact movement.
The GMK3060L-1, a three-axle crane with a 48m main boom, is noted for its compact design and ability to lift up to 6.6t when fully extended.
Recently, Sarens introduced newly purchased Grove rough-terrain cranes to support construction activities at the INEOS Project ONE site in Antwerp, Belgium.
