Construction of PalaRicciardi, a new multi-purpose sports arena in the Salinella district of Taranto, Italy, is progressing at full speed.
Supplied by Italian crane service specialists Servidea Sollevamenti and Gamit, two Grove all-terrain cranes — a GMK4100L-2 and a GMK3060L-1 — are working to tight deadlines and on challenging ground conditions to install the arena's steel roof structure. The new venue will host events for the Mediterranean Games 2026, which will take place from Aug. 21 to Sept. 3.
The project involves assembling and lifting a large steel tensile roof made of prefabricated, galvanized tubular elements. Installation follows a strictly sequenced plan, carried out in continuous coordination with the general contractor, Ferraro, and the steel structure manufacturer, Stoma Engineering.
To meet the demands of the jobsite, the lifting operations rely on a carefully configured combination of both cranes. The 100 t capacity GMK4100L-2 performs the main lifts, delivering the required power and reach, while the compact 60 t capacity GMK3060L-1 supports intermediate stages, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in confined areas.
Challenging ground conditions add further complexity to the project. Because the site is built on a former lagoon with poor load-bearing capacity, the cranes use custom steel load-spreading plates of up to 3 m wide to ensure stability during lifting operations.
"For a project running 24 hours a day, confidence in the cranes and real-time monitoring are essential," said Ivano Masciantonio, managing director of Servidea Sollevamenti and Gamit. "The reliability of Grove technology and standardized Crane Control System (CCS) across the range are key factors in maintaining productivity on such a demanding, multi-shift site."
The cranes are supported by Grove's Italian dealer FIMI and Manitowoc Italy, whose comprehensive aftermarket support and technical expertise help ensure maximum uptime and reliable performance on this high-profile project.
The four-axle Grove GMK4100L-2 features a 60 m main boom, one of the longest in its class, offering impressive reach without needing a jib. With an overall length of just 13.21 m and width of 2.55 m, its compact design delivers excellent maneuverability while also supporting improved fuel efficiency.
The GMK3060L-1 is a compact three-axle crane with a 48 m main boom and a width of just 2.55 m. This crane sets the benchmark for compactness and performance in its class. With the boom fully extended, it can lift 6.6 t, while its 8.67 m carrier length makes it almost as compact as a two-axle crane
For more information, visit manitowoc.com.
