TEN Liebherr 130 EC-B 6 Flat-Top cranes – purpose-ordered by main contractor Aldar-Besix Construct JV – are playing a key craneage role on Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari Experience project, construction of which is well in progress.

The domed Y-shaped Ferrari Experience, clad in Ferrari red and featuring the renowned yellow and black logo of Ferrari’s horse, is set to become an iconic landmark for passengers flying into Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Covering an area of 200,000 sq m, it is designed to be the world’s largest indoor theme park featuring a motor museum and theatre, plus attractions including a kart track, dune buggies and the Ferrari driving school experience.
Ferrari Experience is located on Yas Island, a natural island close to the city of Abu Dhabi, which is being developed as a leisure and entertainment destination. It will also include a F1 race circuit – with the first Grand Prix race set for November 1 – a Warner Bros theme park, three golf courses, equestrian centre and polo field, yacht marina’s seven hotels, Yas Mall shopping centre with 700 shops, restaurants and gardens plus a water park and other entertainment venues.
With much of the steel matrix and supports for the tiled roof already installed, work is continuing on erecting the steelwork for two coaster rides and other attractions.
The Liebherr cranes, lifting typical loads of five to six tonnes, all feature 58 m or 60 m jibs and are all rail-mounted on tracks ranging between 6 to 120 m, allowing lifting access to virtually anywhere on the complex.
The cranes also feature hook heights of between 28 to 48 m. The cranes were purpose-ordered due to meet the requirements set by the proximity of the airport.
Meanwhile, another Liebherr crane – an LTM 1500-8.1 500-tonne mobile crane – is engaged on the Yas Marina hotel, which is the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina F1 Grand Prix circuit. The five-star hotel will ‘straddle’ the track, making it the only hotel in the world to have a Formula 1 track running through it. The LTM 1500 is playing a key role in the construction of the bridge spanning the 5.5-km-long race circuit, lifting and positioning the 72-tonne steel shrouds and 24-tonne aesthetic ‘shroud’ cladding.
The 500-tonner is part of the UAE rental specialist Al Faris’ Liebherr fleet, which comprises more than 130 models, including four 500-tonne models and a new LTM11200-9.1 1,200-tonne crane. Al Faris has one of the largest crane rental fleets in the Middle East with more than 320 mobile cranes.
The LTM 1500 has a maximum lift capacity of 500 tonnes at a 3 m radius. Its seven-section, 84-m telescopic boom is the world’s longest telescopic boom in its class. Lifting capacities are increased due to the jib suspension. The lattice jib, reaching heights of up to 91 m, extends the operating range of the unit to 145 m hoisting height and 108 m reach.
Work started on the Yas Marina hotel in February and main contractor Al Futtaim Carillion is due to complete it shortly.
Meanwhile, eight Atlas Copco XA 186 portable air compressors are providing portable air power for breakers and other air tools on Aldar-Besix Construction JV’s steel structure. Rated at 185 litres per second at bar 7, the compressor is proving ideal for the region’s high temperatures and frequent sandstorms, requiring just regular ‘blowing’ of the radiator and filters to keep clean, according to their manufacturer.