Delivery of 2 twenty-foot containers by crane truck to Aigueblanche (Savoie)

Yes , it is possible to have a shipping container delivered to a mountainous area , even where access to the site is restricted: delivery by crane truck allows the container to be transported and then placed in a single operation, without the need for additional lifting equipment. This project in Aigueblanche (73260), in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley, demonstrates this, as Cubner delivered two 20-foot, one-trip containers for storage. With a narrow access road, a residential environment, and a platform prepared between two buildings, this site illustrates the logistical expertise that Cubner has been developing for 12 years, with 13 depots in France and more than 10,000 containers delivered.

The project: two first-trip storage containers in the Tarentaise Valley

The client wanted secure, durable, and immediately operational storage space near their home. They opted for two 20-foot dry, one-trip containers. A one-trip container has made a single journey from its place of manufacture (in this case, Shanghai, China) to its port of destination in Europe (here, Lyon): it is considered brand new in the industry, having suffered no wear and tear from repeated use. It is also the only type of container covered by the Cubner lifetime warranty , an exclusive benefit in France.

20-foot containers in RAL 1015 for discreet integration

Both units were delivered in RAL 1015, a light ivory that blends naturally into a mountain residential environment. Against the backdrop of the wooden facades and light-colored plaster of neighboring chalets, this neutral shade remains discreet in all seasons, a crucial factor when the container is visible from the houses. RAL 1015 is one of the colors offered by Cubner for new containers.

A new floor and an immediately usable volume

Inside, everything is in pristine condition: marine plywood flooring, immaculate corrugated walls, and flexible, watertight door seals. Each container offers 33,2 m³ of usable volume, accessible via full-width double doors. Watertight and dustproof, and lockable with cremone bolts, the 20-foot one-trip container provides ready-to-use storage immediately upon installation, requiring no prior preparation.

A delivery by crane truck in a mountainous area with restricted access

Delivering two containers to an alpine valley, on a plot of land bordered by houses and served by a narrow road, is no simple task. For this project, Cubner relied on its partner BFT Transport , a specialist in container transport for over 30 years. The truck and trailer combination—a tractor unit equipped with a long-reach auxiliary crane—transported the two containers from the depot before lifting and positioning them directly on site in a single operation.

Why the crane truck is the solution in difficult access situations

The truck-mounted crane combines transport and lifting in a single operation: no additional mobile crane is required, resulting in controlled costs and scheduling. Once the vehicle is stabilized on its outriggers, the auxiliary crane lifts the container by its four ISO corners and precisely places it within a radius of approximately 5 to 6 meters around the truck. It can even overcome obstacles such as fences or low walls, making accessible locations that a standard flatbed truck could never reach.

Installation with centimeter precision on prepared concrete pads

The client had prepared the platform beforehand: a compacted gravel base and concrete leveling blocks positioned at the four corners of each location. Each container rests solely on its reinforced corners; a flat and stable base ensures the structure's geometry and the long-term functionality of the doors. Guided on the ground by the operator, each container was positioned with centimeter precision, and then the second container was aligned edge-to-edge with the first to form a homogeneous and compact unit.

Prepare your site for a delivery by crane truck

A successful delivery is planned well in advance of the truck's arrival. Here are the five points our teams will review with you during the feasibility study:

• A stable and load-bearing ground: slab, concrete blocks or compacted stone platform — never loose or waterlogged ground.
• Sufficient access: approximately 3 m wide passage and a clear height of 4 m, without overhanging trees, cables or balconies.
• A clear maneuvering area: with outriggers deployed, the truck's footprint reaches 8 to 9 m in width at the time of lifting.
• A pre-defined location: the auxiliary crane places the container within a radius of approximately 5 to 6 m around the truck.
• Leveling pads: the container rests on its four corners; a perfectly flat support ensures the smooth opening of the doors.

• 12 years of experience and more than 10,000 containers delivered throughout France.
• 13 depots in France for short lead times and optimized transport costs.
• Lifetime warranty on first-trip containers – Cubner is the only French company to offer it.
• Proven logistics: transport partners equipped with crane trucks and systematic feasibility study before each delivery.

Frequently asked questions about container delivery in the mountains