A US $4.7bn contract has been awarded to contractor Webuild to build three dams to create a freshwater lake for a ski resort in the Neom special economic zone of Saudi Arabia. According to the contractor, the dams will create a 2.8km-long lake at the Trojena mountain destination.

The main dam will be made of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) and will be 145m high, 475m long and hold a volume of approximately 2.7m cu/m. The second dam will also be built using RCC, while the third will be in rock, with a volume of 4.3m cu/m. The artificial lake will cover an area of 1.5sqkm and will have an island reserved for botanical dives and walks.

Webuild will also develop ‘The Bow’ which will feature a hotel overhanging the mountain’s valley below, it said. It will extend the surface of the lake beyond the front of the main dam. Shaped like the prow of a ship and suspended over the valley, the Bow will house a hotel, residential area, and a large central atrium.

“We are delighted and truly proud to be awarded this important project in NEOM. The 2.8km-long, man-made, freshwater lake will be a key asset in the Trojena masterplan. The project is set to be an international engineering and construction marvel and we believe our team has the global experience and expertise to deliver this exciting infrastructure project,” said Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild.

Philip Gullett, Executive Director – Region Head at Trojena added, “The appointment of Webuild is a significant milestone in our construction progress. We have already completed around three million cu/m of excavation at the lake site, and we continue to excavate 90,000cu/m of rock per week. Most importantly we are implementing a sustainable approach by using all the rock excavated and reusing it for the lakebed lining and dam construction. This is crucial stage of the project’s overall development, and we are excited to see works get underway.”

The post Webuild wins US $4.7bn deal to build three dams in Saudi Arabia appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

China State Construction (CSCEC) has announced it will build a new 1,020sqm helipad at a Chinese research station that is located on the coast of the Ross Sea in Antarctica.

The structure will be delivered using more than 400 pre-cast concrete panels manufactured from high-strength concrete developed by CSCEC. The panels have already been transported to Antarctica in containers, the firm added.

Once the helipad is complete, it will facilitate the transportation of supplies and scientific research equipment for various research stations on the Antarctic.

According to the firm, the helipad will be designed to withstand the freezing temperatures of the region. CSCEC said that its pre-cast panels demonstrated better overall stiffness, crack resistance, and durability than conventional panels.

A spokesperson for the firm noted, “The prefabricated helipad, characterised by fast construction, minimal material turnover, and a high degree of mechanisation, is better suited to the construction requirements of the station.”

Chinese officials have said the country has already completed the main building of a scientific hub on the coast of the Ross Sea. The whole station is expected to take two months to complete and will house 84 internal modules, with 16 for winter accommodation and 26 for summer.

China has already built four other Antarctic research stations, two serving as all-year stations and two as summer stations. The newest station with be a third all-year facility in the region.

The post CSCEC to build new helipad at research station in Antarctica appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Property developer Kleindienst Group has announced that its flagship project, The Heart of Europe, has partnered with IHG Hotels & Resorts for the opening of the Côte d’Azur Monaco – a 198-room voco-branded hotel located on the World Islands Dubai.

The new property will operate under the voco brand, as ‘voco Monaco Dubai’.

A stylish destination with a private stretch of pristine, French Riviera-inspired beachfront, ‘voco Monaco Dubai’ at The Heart of Europe will also be home to a variety of premium dining experiences, such as seafood restaurant ‘La Rive’ and the unique ‘La Brasserie on Raining Street’, the firm said.

Hosting entertainment concepts and music artists of multidisciplinary, international and local talent, ‘voco Monaco Dubai’ will be the first adults-only five-star party hotel on an island in Dubai, with eight suites, five party suites and four suites with private pools.

“It is an honour to once again partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the voco brand to The Heart of Europe Island. We are confident the hotel will continue to stand as a testament to the seamless blend of global excellence, exclusive entertainment experiences and the unique charm of The World Islands Dubai,” said Group Founder and Chairman Josef Kleindienst.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts added, “It is an exciting time for us as we partner once again with The Heart of Europe, marking a significant milestone in IHG’s dedication to curating extraordinary hospitality experiences for guests and maximising returns for our owners.”

He concluded, “The transformation of the hotel into a voco-branded property reflects our commitment to delivering True Hospitality for our guests across key tourism destinations in the region. Nestled within the captivating The World Islands Dubai in The Heart of Europe project, the converted voco hotel is poised to redefine ‘premium’ and set new benchmarks for Middle Eastern hospitality.”

The post Kleindienst partners with IHG for hotel on World Islands Dubai appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Acwa Power has signed an agreement with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for the establishment of a new clean energy and water desalination development centre, located in the KACST campus.

The project aims to conduct studies and scientific research in vital areas linked to the clean energy and water sector, and key topics of focus include development of solar energy technologies, devices for photovoltaic power plants for extreme climatic conditions, as well as energy storage technologies to support future energy networks.

The focus areas are mainly aimed at cutting costs and the emissions connected with desalination processes, as the centre will employ artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies to empower new styles of data analysis and open up fresh areas of research.

The new facility aims to boost the presence of Acwa Power within the complex of national laboratories and innovation ‘oases’ to contribute to spreading the culture of co-operation and innovation between the academic community and the business sector.

After signing the deal with Thomas Altmann, the Executive Vice President of Innovation and New Technology Sector at Acwa Power, Dr Saeed Al-Shehri, the Vice President for the Energy and Industry Sector of KACST, said that the partnership with Acwa Power comes as part of KACST’s efforts to link technical products to the needs of both public and private sectors entities.

On the collaboration, Altmann said, “We are thrilled to embark on an exciting journey with an esteemed organisation such as KACST, as collaboration is key to our approach to research and development. The partnership aims to develop practical, market-ready solutions to address commercial needs with agility and innovation.”

“It also seeks to contribute to the local research and innovation ecosystem, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Utilising the collective expertise and resources of both organisations, the collaboration will focus on optimising joint programmes through the development of services, pilot plants, laboratories, and cutting-edge simulation and monitoring tools,” he concluded.

The post Acwa Power to establish new clean energy and water development centre appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Meta has awarded a US $800mn contract to contractor Turner for the construction of a 6,500sqm campus in Jeffersonville, Indiana in the United States. The campus includes several data centre buildings and Turner will use prefabricated modular assembly to build them.

According to a statement, Meta will make investments in new renewable energy projects, allowing it to make the claim that the data centre will be fully powered by renewable energy once operational. The campus will be LEED Gold certified by the US Green Building Council, with construction starting this month.

“We are excited to engage the community and begin work on another data centre project for Meta,” said Dan Harmon, Vice President and General Manager, Turner Construction Company.

He added, “At the peak of construction, we will welcome more than 1,250 construction workers a day on to this site. Working with members of the community and great local and regional trade partners, we will build this sustainable data centre that will connect people to others and to resources and information around the globe. Companies interested in working on the project are invited to visit our Subcontractor Prequalification page on our website.”

The post Turner wins US $800mn contract for Meta campus appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Facilities management (FM) firm Amantra FM has acquired specialist fire-fighting and safety solution provider, AL MANQAB Technical Services.

The acquisition is said to mark Amantra’s foray into the construction industry, where the integration of firestop solutions in design stages helps significantly avert fire hazards in the future. The solutions, coupled with installation from trained technicians, constitute AL MANQAB’s and Amantra’s competitive edge in construction.

Founded in 2018, AL MANQAB has built a strong portfolio of firestop solutions and ancillary offerings such as safety programs, fire safety audits, hazard identification, and risk assessment. The firm’s expertise encompasses MEP penetrations, electrical risers, shaft openings, floor/wall openings and joints, where sophisticated firestop solutions can play an integral role in averting and mitigating fire-related incidents in the future.

“AL MANQAB’s tested-and-proven competencies in firestop solutions will synergise perfectly with Amantra’s existing MEP capabilities to offer enhanced value to our customers. The construction industry can be the custodian of fire safety in future buildings by incorporating sophisticated solutions in the design stages. The resulting preventive rather than reactive approach to fire safety has profound implications for liveability in the urban context. Amantra FM is proud to champion this righteous cause in GCC,” stated Sangeetha B, CEO of Amantra FM.

ABM (Al Basti and Muktha), ASGC, and Innovo are among the leading clients who will benefit immensely from that synergy following the acquisition. AL MANQAB is said to have a great track record of improving fire safety and awareness in organisations through employee engagement programs. Such programs touch upon accountability measures and administrative controls to minimise exposure, while underscoring the need to comply with global fire safety standards and protocols.

As toxic smoke and fires in buildings are a multi-faceted challenge with causes such as inadequate firestop measures in design stages, the lack of awareness among occupants, and indifference towards regulations and compliance with safety standards, a comprehensive solutions suite like Al MANQAB’s is highly desirable today, the statement explained.

Commenting on the acquisition, Naveed Yakub, Area Operations Supervisor at Amantra added, “AL MANQAB’s competencies, coupled with Amantra’s growing ecosystem and an impact-driven approach to facility operations and management, will help institutionalise fire resistance in buildings across GCC. Al MANQAB adds a new dimension of MEP capability to the comprehensive suite of value-centric services we are building under the umbrella of Amantra.”

Amantra is said to have differentiated itself in the FM industry through offerings and initiatives rooted in social impact. Amantra FM recently partnered with US-headquartered AtmosAir to help facilities in the region achieve optimal indoor air quality (IAQ) and improve well-being. As part of the landmark partnership, it became an authorised distributor and promoter of AtmosAir’s bi-polar ionisation technology, which boasts a pathogen reduction rate of up to 99% in indoor environments.

“The acquisition of AL MANQAB, closely following a major partnership with AtmosAir, adds more impetus to Amantra’s aspirations of driving social, economic, and environmental sustainability in FM operations. We are building an ecosystem around customer-centricity, partnering with and acquiring companies we believe can add measurable value to life in urban facilities without compromising on the liveability of future generations,” concluded Neethu Padmanabhan, Contracts and Customer Experience at Amantra FM.

The post Amantra FM acquires AL MANQAB Technical Services appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Gammon, Balfour Beatty’s south-east Asian subsidiary, has been awarded a contract to build a residential development in Hong Kong. Contracted on behalf of Top Oasis, the contract worth US $190mn, will see the firm build a 33-storey residential tower above Hong Kong’s existing MTR metro line.

The project is already underway and is scheduled for completion in 2025 and will employ 500 people at the peak of construction, the firm explained.

According to a statement, Gammon is using the Design for Manufacture and Assembly methodology during construction, fabricating individual structural steel components offsite. It says this will help to ensure the project’s safe and efficient delivery.

“We look forward to sharing our expertise and experience to implement customer-focused solutions that will allow the works to continue to the highest standards of safety, while also bringing our modern and sustainable method of construction,” said Gammon CEO Kevin O’Brien, after the deal was stuck with Sino Land and CSI Properties consortium.

The firm said that demolition waste from the build will be recycled on-site to reduce waste, while the JV will use an electric-powered battery storage system – Enertainer – as its primary power source for construction machinery. This would reduce the need for diesel generators on site and cut carbon emissions.

The post Gammon wins contract for residential tower in Hong Kong appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

28 winners were recognised at the 14th edition of the Big Project ME Awards, with the 2023 edition hosting over 160 guests from across the GCC. The event took place at the Ritz Carlton JBR in Dubai and was attended by international and local delegates from government organisations, developers, operators, contractors and suppliers.

With over 150 submissions received when nominations closed, the editorial team and the judges had a tough job on their hands to choose winners from a bouquet of quality nominees, the Big Project ME team said.

The judging process was split in two parts – an initial process that saw the Big Project ME team vetting all the nominations to ensure that they met nomination guidelines and standards, and that they were appropriate for the focus of the awards.

The second part of the judging process took place on 5 January and involved a panel of industry experts, who deliberated over the nominations that made it through to the second round. The judges were:

• Christopher Fanin, Senior Principal, Managing Director, InSite
• Hesham Nour Eldeen, Practice Director, Structures, Civil Infrastructure, Transportation, UAE, AECOM
• Majd Fayyad, DSM Strategy & Policy Lead, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy
• Nivine Issa, Founder & Managing Director, Terra Nexus
• Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content, Big Project Middle East

“This year, we had some really strong nominations from all over the region. The judges had a hard time deciding who to choose, but I think we successfully narrowed down the shortlist and chose the appropriate winners for each category. I’m delighted that we had entries come in from all over the MENA region – and that we had some big winners come from outside the GCC,” Davids said.

The Big Project ME Awards 2023 were supported by:

• Gold Sponsor: Engineering Contracting Company
• Silver Sponsor: Procore
• Supporting Partners: Compass Project Consulting, Kingspan, and RIB Software

The full list of winners and shortlisted nominees for the Big Project ME Awards 2023 are:

Big Project ME’s Young Professional of the Year

• Ahmad Sharjeel – Al Khoory Solutions
• Ahmed Abou Al Yousr – Parsons
• Ross Hopwood – ISG

Winner: Ahmad Sharjeel – Al Khoory Solutions

Big Project ME’s Mentor of the Year

• Ahmed Maged Mohamed Ali – VE Experts
• Amr Metwally – Engineering Contracting Company

Winner: Amr Metwally – Engineering Contracting Company

Big Project ME’s Woman of the Year

• Rana Nassar – Parsons
• Rexy Seema Machado – Dutco Interiors
• Sheikha Ali – ALEC Engineering & Contracting

Winner: Rana Nassar – Parsons

Big Project ME’s Team of the Year

• Connect Conference Centre Expo City Team – ISG
• Khazna Data Centre, AUH6, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi – McLaren Construction Group
• MEP BIM Team – INNOVO

Winner: MEP BIM Team – INNOVO

Big Project’s Executive of the Year

• Barry Lewis – ALEC Engineering & Contracting
• Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Properties
• Maryam Almheiri – Dubai Municipality

Winner 1: Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Properties

Winner 2: Maryam Almheiri from Dubai Municipality

Supply Chain Sustainability Initiative of the Year

Winner: Desert Board

Sustainable Contractor of the Year

• ACCIONA
• The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Winner: ACCIONA

Sustainable Developer of the Year

• Abu Dhabi Ports Group
• Fakhruddin Properties

Winner: Abu Dhabi Ports Group

Sustainable Project of the Year

• Restoration of Burullus Lake – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• The Red Sea Destination – Red Sea Global
• Solar PV Energy System for RTA Buildings & Facilities – Roads and Transport Authority

Winner 1: The Red Sea Destination – Red Sea Global

Winner 2: Solar PV Energy System for RTA Buildings & Facilities – Roads and Transport Authority

Skills Development Programme of the Year

Winner: Sobha Constructions

Fit-Out Contractor of the Year

• ALEC FITOUT
• Depa
• ISG

Winner: Depa

MEP Contractor of the Year

• ALEMCO
• LASCO JV SSG
• Sobha Constructions
• United Masters Electromechanical

Winner: LASCO JV SSG

Infrastructure Contractor of the Year

• China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East)
• The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Winner: China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East)

Mid-sized Contractor

Winner: McLaren Construction

Luxury Residential Development

Winner: Keturah Reserve – MAG (Editor’s Choice Award)  

Large Contractor of the Year

• ALEC Engineering & Contracting
• Sobha Constructions
• The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Winner: ALEC Engineering & Contracting

Project of the Year: Fit-Out

• One & Only One Za’abeel – ALEC FITOUT
• Intercontinental Residences – Depa

Winner: One & Only One Za’abeel – ALEC FITOUT

Project of the Year: Offsite Construction

• The Crest – Sobha Constructions
• The Point – DBB Contracting

Winner: The Point – DBB Contracting

MEP Project of the Year

• New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• SeaWorld Abu Dhabi Animal Life & Safety Systems – ALEMCO & Miral
• Skylight – Al Wathba – LASCO JV SSG
• The Crest, Sobha Hartland – Sobha Constructions

Winner: New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant by The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Project of the Year: Refurbishment & Retrofit

• AT.MOSPHERE – ALEC FITOUT
• Restoration of Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• Unified 7 UAE Customer Happiness Centres – Ministry of Health & Prevention

Winner: Unified 7 UAE Customer Happiness Centres – Ministry of Health & Prevention

Project of the Year: Energy

Winner: Khalifa Port Admin Building – Abu Dhabi Ports Group

Project of the Year: Water

• New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant – Arab Contractors-Metito-Orascom-Hassan Allam JV
• Shuqaiq 3 RO Desalination Plant – ACCIONA

Winner: New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant by Arab Contractors, Metito, Orascom and Hassan Allam

Project of the Year: Infrastructure & Transport

• Greater Cairo Metro Line 3 – Phase 3A – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• LRT – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• UAE National Railway – Etihad Railway

Winner: UAE National Railway – Etihad Rail

Project of the Year: Leisure, Retail and Hospitality

• SeaWorld Abu Dhabi – ALEC Engineering & Contracting
• The Islamic Cultural Centre in the New Administrative Capital – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Winner: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi – ALEC Engineering & Contracting

Project of the Year: Residential

• Intercontinental Residences – DEPA
• Seef Lusail Residential Development – Parsons

Winner: Seef Lusail Residential Development – Parsons

Efficiency in Construction

• Winner: Waves Grande by Sobha Constructions

To learn more about the Big Project Middle East Awards, click here.

The post Revealed: 2023 Big Project ME Award winners appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Al Shirawi Machinery, a leading provider of construction equipment in the UAE, and HD Hyundai Construction Equipment, a global construction equipment manufacturer, have announced a landmark partnership in the UAE. 

At an official signing held this week in Dubai, both companies told an audience of contractors and local construction players that the alliance had been five years in the making and is set to revolutionise the construction industry in the UAE with cutting-edge technology and a shared commitment to innovation and customer support.

The partnership signing ceremony was a significant event, attended by prominent figures from both organizations and the diplomatic community. We were honored by the presence of: Mr. Thani Al Shirawi, CEO of Al Shirawi Machinery, Vice Chairman and Group Deputy Managing Director at Oasis Investment Company & Al Shirawi Group; His Excellency Jehseung Yoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE; Mr. Eli Park, Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment; Mr. Mohamed Abdulla Mohamed Al Shirawi, Chairman of Oasis Investment Company; Mr. Jason Byun, Senior Vice President & Head of Overseas Sales at Hyundai Construction Equipment.

CEO Thani Al Shirawi said the collaboration with Hyundai Construction Equipment would be “a revolutionary partnership in a new transformative era for construction in the UAE market.”

Hyundai CE is one of the world’s leading names in equipment. Now backed by Al Shirawi’s aftersales and support in the UAE, it is determined to see its performance match its reputation. Jason Byun SVP Head of Overseas Sales Hyundai Construction Equipment added that: “Hyundai is making remarkable return to the UAE. We will work closely to revive bonds with our customers.

Also speaking was H.E. Jehseung Yoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE who highlighted South Korea’s contribution to the construction industry in the UAE, including the Burj Khalifa, described attending the signing ceremony as a great honour: “I congratulate them on embarking on their ambitious journey – where both groups make a commitment for a sustainable partnership,” he added.

“We are truly honored to have His Excellency Jehseung Yoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE, Deputy Consul General Mr. Young-Joon CHOI, and distinguished guests from HD Hyundai with us today. Their presence underscores the enduring and strong relationship between our two nations, both leaders in innovation and operational excellence,” added a spokesperson from Al Shirawi Machinery.

Al Shirawi Machinery is a distinguished dealer equipment in the UAE, specialising in a wide range of  construction equipment. From versatile mini excavators to robust heavy machinery, Al Shirawi Machinery provides access to the finest construction machines and comprehensive after-sales support. Committed to customer satisfaction, Al Shirawi Machinery is the preferred choice for construction equipment in the UAE.

HD Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE) is a leading manufacturer specialising in construction and material handling equipment. With local subsidiaries across the globe, HCE is committed to pioneering future eco-friendly energy solutions and advancing construction equipment technology. HD Hyundai Construction Equipment promotes smart construction and continues to innovate for a better future

The post Al Shirawi Machinery and HD Hyundai Construction announce landmark deal appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

The post COP28: Legacy Report appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews