Italy Tower Crane Rental Market Overview, 2030

Italy’s tower crane rental market is deeply shaped by its blend of old-world architecture and modern urban expansion, particularly in cities like Milan, Rome, and Turin. The market has gradually evolved from fragmented regional ownership to more professionalized rental networks, with contractors increasingly choosing to rent instead of own, especially for short- to mid-duration commercial and infrastructure projects. In northern Italy, where high-rise districts like Porta Nuova and CityLife in Milan are transforming skylines, demand for luffing jib and flat-top tower cranes has surged. These dense projects often rely on large rental players such as Lonato Gru, Scaligera Service, and Italgru, which offer turnkey packages including operator, maintenance, insurance, and safety documentation. In the south and central regions, smaller regional firms still operate but are gradually upgrading fleets to meet stricter safety and noise standards. The rental supply chain is largely OEM-led Potain (a long-established favorite), Liebherr, Raimondi, and Terex dominate the market, supported by a strong dealer and service network. Most rental contracts in Italy are wet hire (with operator), and customers prefer the full-service model due to Italy’s strict construction compliance environment and time-sensitive municipal permissions. Major public projects such as railway station redevelopments under Italy’s PNRR (National Recovery Plan) and ongoing metro expansions in Rome and Naples have boosted the market for temporary crane use. The rental process typically includes technical site inspection, delivery, rigging, safety clearance, and periodic servicing all handled by the rental firm. Though traditional, the market is slowly embracing online tools some firms now offer digital fleet listings and mobile-enabled service requests.

According to the research report ""Italy Tower Crane Rental Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Italy Tower Crane Rental market is anticipated to add to more than USD 50 Million by 2025–30.Italy’s tower crane rental market is influenced by geography, aging urban infrastructure, seismic building codes, and the mix of historic renovation and new high-rise construction. Site logistics play a central role in cities like Milan, Rome, and Naples, where narrow roads, hill terrains, and dense urban layouts complicate crane transport and positioning. Deliveries are often restricted to early morning or night hours, and setup frequently requires compact mobile cranes and phased rigging due to tight laydown areas. Tower crane setup and dismantling challenges intensify in projects involving historic buildings or public transport infrastructure, where structural constraints and heritage preservation laws limit space and duration. Potain and Liebherr are the leading brands in Italian crane rentals, followed by Raimondi (Italian origin) and Terex. Many mid- to large-scale rental companies such as Lonato Gru and Scaligera Service operate fleets that are well-maintained but often 7–12 years old, especially in southern regions. Northern Italy sees higher usage of newer models, particularly in Milan’s Porta Nuova and CityLife districts. Maintenance is generally the full responsibility of rental providers, who also handle documentation, inspections, and technical support. Italian law mandates CE certification, compliance with EU Directive 2006/42/EC, and regular inspections under ISPESL/INAIL regulations, especially for cranes used in seismic zones. Safety documentation like POS (Operational Safety Plan) is required before crane operations commence. Supporting technologies such as load monitoring systems, anti-collision software, and wind control sensors are being adopted steadily, particularly in high-density, multi-crane urban projects. BIM integration remains limited to large EPC contractors but is expected to grow. Rental firms are slowly shifting toward digital fleet management tools, although most bookings still happen through direct contractor relationships.

In the Italian tower crane rental market, Self-Erecting Cranes are by far the most dominant type, reflecting Italy’s construction landscape, which is characterized by a large volume of small to medium-sized residential and commercial projects, especially in rural and historic areas. Italian regions such as Tuscany, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy widely utilize Potain Igo and Liebherr K series self-erecting cranes due to their compact size, ease of transport, and fast hydraulic setup often completed in less than 2 hours. These cranes are especially valued for work on villas, farm buildings, schools, and renovation projects where access is restricted and labor efficiency is essential. The country's strong tradition in masonry and restoration also makes self-erecting cranes a go-to solution for town centers and heritage zones where large cranes would be infeasible. In major cities like Milan, Rome, and Naples, Flat Top (Hammerhead) cranes such as the Comansa 16LC185 or Liebherr EC-B series are more common on mid- to high-rise construction sites, including apartment complexes, commercial towers, and public infrastructure. Their modular design and reduced crane head height make them suitable for urban development where multiple cranes may need to operate concurrently. Luffing Jib Cranes are used more selectively, mainly in dense zones of Milan or Genoa where space is tight, or where overhead obstructions like rail lines or adjacent structures prevent conventional jib swing. Rental costs in Italy often include installation, maintenance, and basic operator support. Many Italian crane rental companies are small-to-medium family-run businesses offering regional expertise, but larger players provide nationwide coverage with fleets integrated into BIM planning and equipped for remote diagnostics.

Low-capacity tower cranes are primarily used in Italy’s dense urban centers and historic districts such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, where space is limited and construction must adapt to architectural preservation regulations. These cranes are favored for residential renovations, small-scale buildings, and interior lifting tasks, as they offer easier mobility, faster setup, and less structural impact on surrounding environments. Medium-capacity tower cranes form the core of the Italian rental market, widely used in mid-rise housing developments, commercial buildings, and infrastructure projects such as urban roads, rail systems, and public spaces. These cranes provide an effective balance of lifting power, reach, and versatility, making them suitable for contractors seeking reliability without the complexity or cost of high-capacity models. Medium-capacity cranes also support Italy’s growing use of prefabricated and modular construction elements, where consistent, repetitive lifting is required. High-capacity tower cranes, though less common in volume, are essential for Italy’s largest and most demanding projects, including energy infrastructure, large-scale public works, and heavy industrial construction. These cranes are capable of lifting heavy structural components, machinery, and pre-cast materials over long distances and heights, and are often deployed on long-duration projects with advanced lift planning and certified operators. Due to their size and operational needs, high-capacity cranes are more likely to be used in open or suburban areas where large staging zones are available. Rental companies in Italy maintain diversified fleets to meet varying regional demands and increasingly invest in modern, fuel-efficient, and digitally monitored crane models to align with national regulations on emissions and workplace safety, especially in preparation for government-backed infrastructure and urban development initiatives.

The Italy tower crane rental market is primarily driven by the construction and infrastructure sector, which includes a wide range of projects such as residential and commercial buildings, historic restoration, and transportation infrastructure like bridges, highways, and metro expansions in major cities. Flat-top tower cranes with lifting capacities typically between 5 and 20 tons are commonly used in general urban construction, while luffing jib cranes are preferred in crowded city centers with limited space, and self-erecting cranes are often employed for smaller-scale or low-rise projects. Rental durations in this sector tend to be short to medium term, corresponding with project timelines and market demand. The energy and power sector contributes notably through renewable energy installations such as wind farms and hydroelectric plants, as well as upgrades to power transmission networks. This segment requires high-capacity flat-top and luffing jib cranes, often crawler-mounted, with lifting capacities generally ranging from 20 to 60 tons. Rentals in this sector are typically long-term and often include operator services due to the technical complexity of energy projects. In the oil and gas industry, tower cranes are essential for refinery construction, offshore platform assembly, and LNG terminal development, utilizing heavy-duty luffing jib and flat-top cranes with lifting capacities exceeding 30 tons. Rental agreements here are often project-specific and adhere to strict safety standards in line with European regulations. The mining and heavy industries sector relies on large tower cranes, both flat-top and crawler types, with capacities ranging from 20 to 50 tons, supporting steel manufacturing, cement production, and mineral extraction, often favoring long-term rentals or capital investments for continuous operations. Other end-use industries include ports and shipyards, where large flat-top cranes above 30 tons are used for shipbuilding and cargo handling, aerospace and defense projects requiring precise luffing jib cranes for hangar and missile silo construction, and temporary event infrastructure where flat-top and mobile tower cranes assist in large-scale stadium roof lifts and event setups.

In the Italian tower crane rental market, short-term rentals typically range from one day to three months and are primarily used for smaller construction projects such as residential buildings, renovations, and temporary lifting tasks during site setup or dismantling. Common cranes rented on a short-term basis include self-erecting cranes and small flat-top models with lifting capacities generally up to 5 tons. Rental prices for short-term tower cranes in Italy usually vary between €400 and €1,100 per day, €2,500 to €5,500 per week, and €4,000 to €8,500 per month, often inclusive of operator services, insurance, and permits. Long-term rentals, covering durations from three months to several years, serve larger infrastructure projects such as commercial towers, transportation infrastructure, bridges, and industrial plants. These rentals typically provide access to flat-top cranes ranging from 5 to 20 tons, luffing jib cranes ideal for urban construction sites, and heavy-duty cranes exceeding 20 tons. Monthly rental rates for long-term contracts in Italy generally fall between €5,000 and €11,000 for medium-capacity cranes and €10,000 to €28,000 for heavy-duty cranes, with many contracts including bundled services such as operators, maintenance, and rigging. Lease-to-own options lasting one to three years are increasingly popular among mid-sized contractors and infrastructure firms seeking to manage capital expenditure while securing eventual ownership. Monthly payments under lease-to-own agreements in Italy typically range from €8,000 to €22,000, with buyout costs between €20,000 and €45,000. This model provides access to mid and high-capacity cranes from established manufacturers and allows payments to be spread over time, though total costs may exceed outright purchase and contracts usually involve fixed terms with limited early exit options.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Tower Crane Rental Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type of Tower Crane
• Hammerhead (Flat Top) Cranes
• Luffing Jib Cranes
• Self-Erecting Cranes
• Mobile Tower Cranes

By Lifting Capacity
• Low Capacity (Up to 5 Tons)
• Medium Capacity (5–20 Tons)
• High Capacity (Above 20 Tons)

By End-Use Industry
• Construction & Infrastructure
• Energy & Power
• Oil & Gas
• Mining & Heavy Industries
• Others End User Industries

By Rental Type / Duration
• Short-Term Rental
• Long-Term Rental
• Lease-to-Own Show more