A Genie GTH-4018 in Egypt

As part of Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority’s (SCA) ambitious EUR 6.58 billion (USD 7.3 billion) New Suez Canal Project, after its involvement in the extension of the new Suez Canal that

As part of Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority’s (SCA) ambitious EUR 6.58 billion (USD 7.3 billion) New Suez Canal Project, after its involvement in the extension of the new Suez Canal that opened in record time last year, Petrojet – one of the Middle East’s largest integrated construction companies, is currently contributing to the building of six twin tube tunnels (four for cars and two for trains) beneath the Suez Canal. To support its materials handling needs, Petrojet turned to Cairo-based equipment provider Modern Builders Merchant Co. (MBM), of the Genie brand’s authorised distributors in Egypt, who recommended the use of two high-reach, heavy-lifting Genie® GTH™-4018 telehandlers. The machines were delivered this January with optional air-conditioning and a bespoke customer paint livery.

Constructed under the supervision of the Egyptian Armed Forces Engineering Authority (AFEA), the four 48-m (157.5-ft) deep, 10.8-m (35-ft) wide, 3.19-km (2-mi) long road tunnels will provide access to an estimated 45,000 cars and trucks per day. The rail tunnels are built at the same depth over a distance of 6.7 km (4 mi) and feature five ventilation shafts. Once they are completed, the tunnels will link the eastern and western banks of the Suez Canal from Egypt’s homeland cities of Port Said and Ismailia, to the Sinai Peninsula.  

Working to a 2018 opening schedule in tough desert-like conditions, the project currently involves a wide variety of heavy machinery operating inside the tunnel tubes and around the tunnel entrances. As such, the job mandates sufficiently manoeuvrable, compact machines capable of handling materials efficiently at close quarters with other equipment

Powerful performance, compact dimensions

Offering a maximum lift height of 17.61 m (58 ft), a maximum forward reach of 13.36 m (43 ft 10 in) and a maximum lift capacity of 4,000 kg (8,817 lb), thanks to its unique combination of a class-leading 3.8m (12 ft 5 in) outside turning radius and the narrowest machine width in its category, the Genie GTH-4018 model is designed for tough work in challenging environments – even on busy and confined jobsites where space it tight.  A 75 kW (100 hp) Stage IIIA (Tier 4) compliant turbo diesel Perkins engine delivering a maximum travel speed of 35 km/h (22 mph) provides the power to operate efficiently on challenging terrain.

“MBM has a longstanding relationship with Genie and a very successful track record with Petrojet regarding the provision and operation of Genie machines. With next year’s completion deadline just around the corner, at this stage of the project the stakes are high and the conditions tremendously tough,” says Mr. Abdul Salam Hammad, Director, Modern Builders Merchant Co. Mr. Hammad continues: “Despite the additional challenges caused by the violent desert storms that are common in the area in the early months of the year, followed by rapidly rising high temperatures, both Genie GTH-4018 units having performed reliably without interruption for the past four months. Our customer is satisfied with the results, and work is progressing according to schedule.”

Familiarization training provided at the machines’ handover also provided the opportunity to meet Petrojet’s operators and visit the jobsite. “It’s a well managed site,” says Mr. Ismail Hammad, Genie technical services engineer. “All operations are supervised by the army’s engineers who are sharp on respecting the highest health and safety standards. As far as the Genie GTH-4018 models are concerned, the operators said they found them easy to operate and manoeuvre. They have also found that they are smooth and comfortable to work with on this rough, hot, arid site.”