MND Celebrates Opening Of Huy Cable Car In Belgium

The new urban and tourist cable car in Huy, in the province of Liège in Belgium has transported its first passengers. Major player in ropeway mobility, the French industrial group MND used the most recent technologies to build this new cable car ensuring its integration while respecting the architecture of the Fort de Huy site, built between 1818 and 1823. A successful bet for this installation, which remains the symbol of the city as well as a major tourist asset for the region.

People of Huy came in great numbers this Saturday for the grand opening of their new cable car. Designed by the French industrial group specializing in cable mobility, this new cable car is a two-way installation, with two parallel tracks, on which the cabins move between the Esplanade Batta (downstream station), the Fort intermediate station and Sarte station (upstream station). The largely glazed surface of the cabins enhances a panoramic view of the landscapes at a speed of nearly 30 km/h. Fully automated, the new cable car will be operated by the Huy Land Authority, with an opening planned from April to October.

“What a pleasure to see the cable car operating again. We are very happy to have entrusted MND with the rehabilitation of this iconic installation, both for our city and for the people of Huy. This project is fully in line with our plan to strengthen tourist activity in our territory.” declared Christophe Collignon, Mayor of Huy.

Modern and spacious cabins

While drawing inspiration from the design and red color of the old ones, the two new cabins are more modern and more spacious. Equipped with two benches and a space dedicated to people with reduced mobility, they can each comfortably accommodate up to fifteen passengers. Uniquely manufactured, these cabins have been designed and custom-made. Their robust and lightweight aluminum construction ensures high durability, for uninterrupted operation for many years.

With the cable car back in operation again, the Fort de Huy is also finding new economic and tourist life, in this year 2024 which marks the 80th anniversary of the Liberation. Suspended above the Meuse, it dominates the town of Huy.

Nicolas Chapuis, Director of the cable transport division at MND was present in Huy for the opening to the public and declared “I want to thank the City of Huy, with the support of the government of Wallonia, for having chosen MND group to temporary company COP & PORTIER and BPC WALLONIE for the construction of this new urban and tourist cable car, in place of the old one. Our proposal consisted of reconciling innovative cable transport technologies while respecting existing historical elements with maximum reuse of existing infrastructure for perfect integration into the environment. We are proud to have succeeded in this technological challenge with our historic partners VLM, CALAG and SEIREL to build a solution with a unique design and whose technology makes it modern, durable, comfortable and efficient. Two weeks after the successful global launch of ORIZON, our new range of detachable ropeway solutions for mobility in mountains, tourist areas and urban environments, which was a real success with professionals in the sector, this opening once again marks our position as a major international player in the cable mobility market.”

Xavier Gallot-Lavallée, CEO MND: "I would like to thank the city of Huy, its mayor Christophe Collignon and the Walloon government for their trust and support in the implementation of this project. I would also like to thank the MND teams and our partners VLM - Vertical Levage Montage, Calag Carrosserie Langenthal AG and SEIREL Automatismes for their contribution to this fantastic project."

Technical characteristics:

• Jig-back, two-way cable car
• 2 cabins with 15 seats, accessible to people with reduced mobility and bicycles
• Speed of nearly 30 km/h
• Length of the line: 1,294 m
• Height difference: 131 m
• Travel time: 4 min
• Operation possible with or without cabin attendant, with or without bottom station operators
• Operation 7 days a week in seasonal operation