Potain delivers custom crane for heavy lifts at Port of Nantes

The custom-built Potain MD 689 M25 features a new type of gantry traveling unit, seaside corrosion proofing and digital connectivity.

The Port of Nantes in France has commissioned a new Potain MD 689 M25 tower crane to handle heavier and taller vessels at its naval maintenance and repair quay. The crane replaces an older unit that had been in use since 1960 and began operating in March.

Developed in collaboration with Potain Lift Solutions, the MD 689 M25 was customized to meet the specific needs of the port. It was installed on a 170-metre traveling gantry equipped with frequency inverter drives, a first for a Potain crane. The drives are integrated with the Potain Crane Control System (CCS), enabling smooth movement along the quay’s dry docks and improved lifting control.

“Lifting operations in ports have always been dynamic and demanding, with very high economic stakes,” said Sylvain Brunet, business project manager, Lift Solutions. “For Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port, the requirements of the industry and the needs of our customers led us to develop an even more robust and innovative solution.”

The crane operates in double-reeving mode, offering a maximum capacity of 25 tonnes at a 26-metre jib and 7.6 tonnes at its full 75-metre extension. It has been coated to withstand corrosion in the marine environment and includes custom lighting, onboard cameras and an encrypted communication system. The installation is also connected to the Potain CONNECT platform for remote monitoring and diagnostics.

“All that remains is to wish this machine a long life, just like its predecessor,” Brunet added.