TADANO TEAMWORK: Vernazza Autogru Uses Tadano Crawler Cranes for 500-Tonne Bridge Lifts at Porto di Prà

30-Second Takeaway

Italian crane specialist Vernazza Autogru has successfully completed two extremely demanding heavy lifts at the Porto di Prà shipyard, installing bridge sections weighing 500 and 290 tonnes using Tadano lattice boom crawler cranes. Operating in a highly congested port environment above active road and rail corridors, the project relied on precise planning, tandem lifting techniques, and the exceptional reliability and maneuverability of Tadano CC crawler cranes—demonstrating the critical role of high-capacity lifting solutions in modern port and shipyard infrastructure.

When it comes to lifting and moving particularly heavy loads, the team at Italian crane service provider Vernazza Autogru is especially fond of the powerful lattice boom crawler cranes made by Tadano, no surprise then that this included lifting two bridge sections with a weight of 500 and 290 tonnes for a bridge structure at the Porto di Prà shipyard on behalf of shipbuilding company Fincantieri.

The loads consisted of bridge sections built with a composite construction made of steel girders and a concrete deck on top. These sections had to be lifted onto pillars with utmost precision.

“These demanding lifts needed cranes that would not just be able to lift extremely heavy loads, but also to move them while suspended in the air. And to tell you the truth, the only candidates qualified for the job were our two Tadano lattice boom crawler cranes,” explains Marco Galli, who was responsible for the project.

Before the actual job could be carried out, however, the two cranes had to be transported from Vernazza’s headquarters in Vado Ligure to the work site in Porto di Prà and set up there. Once the machines were at their destination, the crane experts at Vernazza took a mere eight days to set up the CC 68.1250-1 and five to set up the CC 38.650-1.

“However, we had to relocate the large CC 68.1250-1 during the work and completely dismantle it in order to rebuild it elsewhere. The assembly-friendly design of the Tadano CC cranes was very helpful, so we were able to master that particular challenge without issue,” reports Marco Galli, who also finds the tremendous reliability and extremely sensitivemaneuverability of Tadano CC lattice boom crawler cranes to be invaluable.

Both the reliability and maneuverability proved to be crucial for the job. After all, the lifting work had to be completed within set timeframes at the port’s access area, and this without having any impact on the heavy traffic there other than where absolutely necessary. Specifically, Vernazza had to carry out the lifts at this traffic junction over existing bridges, the Genoa-Ventimiglia railway line and the busy Aurelia state road. The traffic routes were of course to be closed for as short a time as possible - so delays of any kind had to be avoided at all costs.

The team planned out every single step in excruciating detail: A tandem lift would be used for the 500-tonne bridge section, while the CC 68.1250-1 would take care of the 290-tonne section all alone. The CC 68.1250-1 was set up with an SSL configuration, a 72-meter boom, and 450 tonnes of Superlift counterweight, while the CC 38.650-1 was also set up with an SSL configuration and a boom of the same length, but 325 tonnes of Superlift counterweight. The two cranes lifted and moved the 500-tonne section together at a radius of 50 meters and a height of seven meters, while the CC 68.1250-1 put the 290-tonne section in place at a radius of 41 meters and a height of nine meters.

“We used an eight-person team, consisting of two crane operators and six supervisors and signalpeople, to lift the 500-tonne platform and put it in place with our two cranes. Meanwhile, the team we used to handle the smaller load with the CC 68.1250-1 alone had five people only,” says Marco Galli while explaining how his company’s personnel was deployed for the job.

About Vernazza Autogru

Vernazza Autogru is a well-established Italian crane and heavy lifting service provider with deep expertise in complex infrastructure, port, shipyard, and industrial lifting operations. Headquartered in Vado Ligure, near one of Italy’s most active port regions, the company operates in environments where precision, coordination, and minimal disruption are critical.

Vernazza Autogru specializes in high-capacity crawler and mobile crane operations, including tandem lifts, heavy module installation, bridge construction, and shipyard infrastructure works. The company is known for its detailed lift planning, experienced operators, and strong safety culture, allowing it to perform demanding lifts over live railways, roadways, and port facilities.

By maintaining a fleet that includes advanced lattice boom crawler cranes and investing continuously in technical expertise, Vernazza Autogru supports major contractors and industrial clients with tailored lifting solutions that meet strict schedule, safety, and operational constraints, particularly in maritime and coastal environments.

Learn More: https://vernazzautogru.com/en/

About Tadano Europe

Tadano Europe is the European headquarters and regional operating arm of Tadano Ltd., a global manufacturer of cranes and lifting solutions. Based in Zweibrücken, Germany, Tadano Europe is responsible for manufacturing, sales, service, engineering support, and parts distribution for Tadano cranes across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The company is best known for its lattice boom crawler cranes (CC Series), as well as all-terrain and rough-terrain cranes engineered for heavy lift, infrastructure, industrial, energy, and maritime applications. Tadano Europe’s crawler cranes are widely deployed in ports, shipyards, power plants, offshore support operations, and major civil engineering projects, where reliability, precision, and uptime are critical.

Tadano Europe places strong emphasis on engineering support and lifecycle services, providing customers with technical planning assistance, crane configuration expertise, operator training, and long-term parts availability. This comprehensive approach ensures Tadano cranes perform efficiently throughout their service life, even in the most demanding heavy lift environments.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.tadano.com/europe

Frequently Asked Questions

What was lifted at the Porto di Prà shipyard?

Two bridge sections weighing 500 tonnes and 290 tonnes, constructed from steel girders with a concrete deck, were lifted and positioned onto bridge pillars.

Who was the end client for the project?

The lifting operations were carried out on behalf of Fincantieri, a global shipbuilding company.

Which cranes were used for the lifts?

Vernazza Autogru used two Tadano lattice boom crawler cranes: a CC 68.1250-1 and a CC 38.650-1.

How were the lifts executed?

A tandem lift was used for the 500-tonne bridge section, while the 290-tonne section was lifted by the CC 68.1250-1 alone. Both cranes were equipped with Superlift configurations.

Why was this project particularly challenging?

The lifts took place above existing bridges, the Genoa–Ventimiglia railway line, and the Aurelia state road, requiring extremely precise execution and minimal disruption to heavy traffic flows.

How long did crane assembly take?

The CC 68.1250-1 was assembled in eight days, while the CC 38.650-1 took five days. The larger crane was also fully dismantled and rebuilt at another location during the project.

What made Tadano crawler cranes suitable for this job?

Their high lifting capacity, precision maneuverability, reliability, and assembly-friendly design made them the only viable option for moving extremely heavy loads while suspended.