A Potain MDT 389 L16 tower crane is now in operation on the construction of the new Gaslini Hospital in Genoa, Italy.
The crane is helping deliver a major healthcare project that will bring specialist treatment and research for children, adolescents, and expectant mothers into a single, modern facility. The hospital is due to be completed in 2030.
Construction company CMB, a long-term Potain partner, is leading the work. The project will include eleven floors for diagnostics and intensive care, four floors for inpatient care, and the refurbishment of existing pavilions to boost capacity and improve services.
“The initial phase involved demolishing two existing pavilions to make way for the new Padiglione Zero, which will house a significant portion of the hospital’s core activities,” said Andrea Montorio, jobsite Technical Director at CMB. “Next, we will build the new Technological Hub behind the existing buildings. In Phase 2, we will restore the original hospital structure, including seismic upgrades.”
The MDT 389 L16 has been installed with a hook height of 63 metres and a 65-metre jib, and it can lift up to 16 tonnes.
“Installing the MDT 389 L16 required meticulous logistical planning,” said Sabino Riefoli, Potain Key Account Manager. “With 80% of the site occupied by the building under construction, only 20% remains available for operations, including machinery and material storage.”
The crane was originally planned to sit on a 10 x 10 metre, 2-metre-high ballast foundation. Instead, close work between structural engineers and Potain allowed the team to reduce the footprint by half and install the crane in an underground configuration.
The MDT 389 L16 is working alongside a Potain MD 125, which CMB has used on the site since February 2025. A Potain MDT 178 will also be added inside the building as work continues.
Potain’s involvement highlights its role in supporting complex and high-impact healthcare infrastructure projects.