Rough-terrain cranes support petrochemical plant construction

Sarens selected Grove rough-terrain cranes to support heavy lifting and modular construction at the INEOS Project ONE site in Antwerp, Belgium.  www.manitowoc.com Application area: Heavy lifting operations, petrochemical plant construction Industry sector: Construction equipment, petrochemical industry Sarens, a specialist in heavy lifting and engineered transport, deployed four 100 t rough-terrain cranes and one 80 t model to support construction activities at INEOS Project ONE in Antwerp, Belgium. The project involves the construction of a new ethane cracker and associated industrial infrastructure, representing one of Europe's largest petrochemical investments. The cranes were manufactured at Manitowoc's production facility in Niella Tanaro, Italy. Manitowoc also provides parts, maintenance, and technical service support from its Breda facility in the Netherlands throughout the project. Supporting modular construction Project ONE is based on modular construction methods, where large process modules are fabricated offsite and transported by ship for final assembly. Some modules weigh up to 6,000 t and measure up to 50 m in length, requiring reliable lifting equipment capable of handling heavy loads in confined construction areas. Besides assembling the ethane cracker, the project includes the installation of storage tanks, pumping systems, pipe racks, electrical distribution systems, underground utilities, roads, and other site infrastructure. Sarens is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the project's transport and lifting operations, including road and marine transport, module positioning, and precision installation work. Crane selection for operational flexibility To meet the project's lifting requirements, Sarens selected four Grove GRT8100-1 rough-terrain cranes and one Grove GRT780. The GRT8100-1 provides a 47 m main boom with a bi-fold swingaway jib extending from 10.1 m to 17.1 m, allowing the crane to reach multiple lifting positions across the construction site. The operator cab can tilt up to 20°, improving visibility during elevated lifting operations, while onboard cameras provide additional views of the crane, hoist drum, and suspended load. The GRT780 complements the fleet with comparable boom and jib configurations and can travel with loads of up to 15.2 t suspended on the hook, reducing the need for repeated load handling during site operations. Both crane models are equipped with Manitowoc's Crane Control System (CCS), providing a consistent operating interface for crane operators. Digital monitoring and lifting optimisation Sarens configured the cranes with the MAXbase variable outrigger positioning system, allowing asymmetrical outrigger configurations when space restrictions require alternative crane setups. This helps optimise lifting performance at both the front and rear of the crane. The fleet also incorporates the Grove CONNECT telematics platform, enabling remote diagnostics, maintenance scheduling, and operational monitoring. The system supports maintenance teams in identifying potential issues and planning service activities to maximise equipment availability throughout the project. Technical support during deployment Following delivery from Italy, Manitowoc provides ongoing customer support through its service organisation, including spare parts supply, maintenance, and technical assistance from local teams in the Netherlands together with its global support network. Commenting on the cooperation, Rolf Klooster, Regional Director for Belgium and the Netherlands at Manitowoc, said the company's support teams in Italy and the Netherlands are providing the equipment, service, and technical expertise required to maintain crane performance throughout the Project ONE construction. Edited by Sucithra Mani, Induportals editor – adapted by AI. www.manitowoc.com Powered by Induportals Media Publishing