Somalev Deploys Two Crawler Cranes for OCP Sulfur Storage Projects

Moroccan heavy-lift specialist Somalev has completed the lifting and assembly of precast concrete structures for two OCP Group sulfur storage projects at Mzinda and Safi, deploying two dedicated teams and two high-capacity crawler cranes simultaneously.

SOGEA Maroc carried out the construction works, while Somalev was responsible for the lifting methodology, handling studies, equipment selection and execution of the lifting and assembly operations.

At Mzinda, the new sulfur storage facility has a capacity of 100,000 tonnes and incorporates 22 concrete vaults, each with an internal radius of 37 metres. The Safi project involved construction of a separate 20,000-tonne sulfur storage hall.

Somalev mobilised a Liebherr LR 1750/2 SX and a Terex-Demag CC2800 for the two projects. Precast concrete elements were positioned at heights approaching 30 metres, while one of the completed structures incorporated nearly 20,000 tonnes of precast concrete.

At peak production, the teams installed close to 1,800 tonnes of precast elements per week.

The lifting scope required detailed engineering before mobilisation, including analysis of the structures, installation constraints, crane selection and development of lifting methods capable of maintaining precision and productivity across both sites.

“Our ambition is not simply to operate some of the largest cranes in Morocco. It is to build a Moroccan centre of excellence in heavy-lift engineering, where our engineers, technicians and field teams develop and execute solutions for the most demanding industrial projects,” said Mohamed Moufid, CEO of Somalev.

The simultaneous operations at Mzinda and Safi involved engineers, project managers, crane operators, riggers, lifting supervisors and safety teams, with the complete lifting scope engineered and executed by Moroccan personnel.

The projects highlight Somalev’s growing role in large-scale industrial construction in Morocco, combining heavy-lift engineering with high-capacity crawler crane operations on major infrastructure developments.