IDP erects Egypt’s first Potain MCR 295 cranes

IDP erects Egypt’s first Potain MCR 295 cranes for prestigious Maspero Triangle project.

In July, Egyptian Potain dealer IDP successfully erected and commissioned the country’s first two Potain MCR 295 luffing jib tower cranes to help contactor Orascom Construction develop the Maspero Triangle district in downtown Cairo. 

“The Potain brand’s reputation for quality and innovative technology gave us the trust and confidence to expand our fleet with the new MCR 295 cranes. We are proud to have the first units in Egypt working on this prestigious project,” said Hossam Mounir, equipment deputy director at Orascom Construction.

The 75-acre area by the River Nile is already home to many important buildings, including the Radio and Television Union Maspero building, the Foreign Ministry building, the Dar al-Maarif building, the Italian Consulate, and the Ramses Hilton Hotel. As such, given the limited space, Orascom Construction needed cranes that were not only reliable, consistent, and high performing, but which could also work efficiently on a confined jobsite, helping to meet delivery deadlines. With a 60 m jib length and load capacity of up to 16 t, the two Potain MCR 295 luffing jib cranes were ideal for the job. The compact and versatile design with near-vertical luffing capability 

enables multiple cranes to be positioned on site and avoids oversailing existing buildings.

“We were impressed by the speed and professionalism with which the IDP field service team and Potain technicians erected the cranes on site, and they have since been proving their worth on this upscale project as world-class machines,” Mounir said.

IDP and Potain erected the cranes with an initial 37 m height under hook and they will reach a final height under hook of 150 m. The cranes will remain on site for approximately three years. Orascom Construction’s history dates back to 1950. Today the company employs around 65,000 people and is currently working on more than 200 projects across Africa, the Middle East, and the U.S. The core values of Orascom Construction are market leadership and sustainable growth, and the company is focused on megaprojects that have a direct impact on the economy and help guide the country towards sustainability.  The Maspero Triangle project showcases Orascom’s capabilities.

The project, estimated at LE10 billion (US$400 million), is part of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's development plan and aims to transform the area into a thriving hub for living, working, and relaxing. The western side of the project has been allocated for administrative and commercial purposes, while the center will be an entertainment area. There will also be hotels and tourist attractions facing the River Nile.