Manitowoc Tower Cranes Support French Eco-District Construction

A multi-crane deployment in southern France combines dense-site lifting coordination with digital construction monitoring for a large mixed-use sustainable development.  www.manitowoc.com Urban construction projects with constrained footprints increasingly require coordinated lifting systems that can maintain productivity without expanding site complexity. In this context, Manitowoc’s Potain tower cranes have been deployed for the Canebiers-Villette eco-district development in Cagnes-sur-Mer, southern France. Coordinating multiple cranes in a constrained build zone The Canebiers-Villette project, which began last year, is being developed as a mixed-use sustainable urban district combining residential, commercial, and community infrastructure. To meet schedule requirements and operate within limited site space, Potain distributor Grues et Matériels Côte d'Azur (GMCA) deployed five topless tower cranes from the MDT series. The current fleet includes two MDT 269 units, one MDT 319, one MDT 219, and an MDT 109 scheduled to join the project. The crane configuration reflects a common challenge in dense construction environments, where multiple lifting systems must operate simultaneously without excessive interference or complex mast arrangements. Topless crane architecture for tighter site management The cranes were selected in part for their topless design, which allows overlapping operations where vertical clearance is limited. For structural contractor Da Mota Construction, this configuration enables optimisation of hook heights while reducing the number of mast sections required, simplifying both transport logistics and installation. The deployed configurations include one MDT 269 operating with a 31 m hook height and 65 m jib, alongside an MDT 219 positioned above it at 36 m hook height with a 55 m jib. A second MDT 269 operates at 46 m with a 55 m jib, while the MDT 319 is configured at 56 m hook height with a 65 m jib. This arrangement supports simultaneous lifting activity while maintaining clearance across a compact construction footprint. Digital crane management on active construction sites All deployed cranes are equipped with Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS), which supports commissioning, configuration, and coordinated crane operation. The fleet also uses Potain CONNECT™ telematics for real-time equipment monitoring and remote diagnostics, aligning with broader digital construction trends focused on uptime management and operational visibility. Operator access has also been addressed through lift integration. The MDT 319 includes a Potain Cab-IN operator lift, while the other cranes are also equipped with operator lift systems to reduce access time and improve site efficiency. For construction equipment deployment, the project illustrates how lifting strategy, crane coordination, and connected equipment management are increasingly tied to delivery schedules in dense sustainable urban developments. Edited by Aishwarya Mambet, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance. www.manitowoc.com Powered by Induportals Media Publishing