Johnson Arabia has inducted ten new Grove rough terrain cranes into its fleet to target lifting projects in the oil & gas and other sectors.

The Kanoo Group crane and equipment rental heavyweight said in a statement that it acquired the ten new Grove RT550E cranes after spotting an improving trend in the UAE’s market conditions, especially  in the oil & gas sector, where there are new exploration efforts to unearth resources for the coming years, despite the slump in the first quarter of 2020.

A statement from Johnson Arabia quoted a study from marketresearch.com as saying: “Natural gas has become a key strategic priority, and the UAE is planning a string of new investments to further develop its large sour gas resources and meet rising domestic consumption,” and added that the decision to expand its crane fleet with the new Groves was taken based on such studies.

Martin Kirby, managing director, Johnson Arabia, said: “The Grove RT 550E fits our needs for this market perfectly. Its compact design, higher lifting capabilities and manoeuvrability in tight spaces makes it a versatile crane for the UAE market for oil & gas projects and urban development where space is limited.”

The Grove RT550E can lift loads of up to 45t and measures only 11.7m long and 2.53m wide with a 6m foot print and weights under 29t, lending itself to being well under heavy machinery regulations for a lot of Johnson Arabia’s off-shore projects, said the company.

Mark Bedderson, an expert in the oil & gas market, who manages Johnson Arabia’s Abu Dhabi office, said: “There was a serious need for compact machines for off-shore projects and our recent purchase of these new Grove RT550E units coupled with our Spider cranes gives us an edge over our competitors. We are their one stop solution providers for projects that needs heavy lifts and have space/weight constraints.

Mohammed Fareed, executive manager, Dubai, at Johnson Arabia, adds: “The Grove RT550E is the choice of many industries here and in the Northern Emirates as well. It provides reliable service without compromising on power and security. The all-wheel drive and steering modes give it the ability to navigate on uneven ground, steep grades, muddy terrain and other obstacles, which makes it the preferred choice for quarry, and hydro plant projects. The one cab operation makes it easier and faster when relocating on sites and the 39m main boom is an added value when a higher reach is required.”