Potains in Oslo regeneration

Six Potain tower cranes are working on the construction of a corporate and residential district in Oslo, Norway. The project is part of a regeneration of the city's historic waterfront area that will eventually cover 450,000 square metres.

Known locally as The Fjord City, the multi-billion US dollar project is in the Bjørvika area of Oslo. It will be a mix of office space for more than 10,000 workers and 3,000 apartments. The ground floor levels are reserved for retail and other attractions.

Manitowoc dealer in Norway, Kranor A/S, has six Potain cranes working on the project. Kranor, part of Lambertsson, has a rental fleet of 150 tower cranes, all of which are Potains.

Kranor is renting two Potain MD 485 B and four Potain MD 365 B cranes to main contractor Vedal Prosjekt, which is working for property developer Oslo S Utvikling.

Tor Gunnar Stabaek, Kranor managing director, said the project set a new record for his company. "In terms of monthly turnover, it's the largest rental project in our company's history."

The 20 tonne capacity Manitowoc Potian MD 485 B are erected with 55 m jibs. Height under hook will increase from 87.2 to 100 m during construction. The lifts will include some heavy loads. For example, lift shaft sections, that can weigh up to 15 tonnes, must be raised at 30 m radius.

A second contractor, prefabricated concrete and steel solutions specialist Contiga, is using the Potain MD 365 Bs which are on a V 60 base. The 16 tonne capacity cranes are working with 45 m jib and lifting lighter, pre-cast elements, including stair and floor sections weighing 10 to 12 tonnes. Height under hook will increase from 69 to 85 m.

Stabaek said capacity is more important than reach. "Because we have so many cranes on this site we are using Potain's Top Tracing technology to limit where the cranes can go. For example, there is a rail yard behind the construction site which we can overfly but not when we are carrying a load. Top Tracing is perfect for controlling site conditions such as this."