Two Grove cranes power construction of new arena for the Mediterranean Games 2026

• A GMK4100L-2 and GMK3060L-1 deliver precise, coordinated lifting in challenging ground conditions and to a tight schedule in Taranto, Italy.
• Italian crane specialists Servidea Sollevamenti and Gamit are leading construction of the complex steel roof.
• The cranes' reliable performance and compact designs enable efficient operations on a constrained jobsite.

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 August 21 to September 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.