In the heart of Arles, a remarkable project unfolded to accommodate large cruise ships. The existing Lamartine quay, steeped in history, couldn’t meet this demand, leading CNR, the project owner, to envision a new dock on the left bank of Arles. This ambitious undertaking involved using specialized double-twisted wire mesh pre-filled mattresses, RenoMac Plus. These mattresses were chosen for their precision and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional rip-rap. The decision to employ RenoMac Plus was driven by its ability to provide targeted protection to vulnerable areas of the riverbank, negating the need for a full coverage.

Its thin 30-centimeter profile not only reduced the volume of materials required, but also minimized the ecological footprint of the project. The company Maia Fondations entrusted Maccaferri with the supply and prefabrication of these mattresses, which were custom-designed for this unique application. Additionally, the lower layer of the mattresses featured a 14-meter geotextile-reinforced layer, adding to their effectiveness. Notably, the inclusion of a geotextile layer together with the base panel of double-twisted wire mesh creates a 2-in-1 solution that allows both protection and filtering.