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Source: MEConstructionNews
Cemex has announced it is providing its low-carbon Vertua concrete for the construction of Houston Methodist’s Centennial Tower, which is said to be part of the world’s largest medical complex.
The firm said it will be providing more than 15,000m3 of low-carbon concrete for the 26-storey tower, which is taking shape in Texas, in the United States, and is due for completion in 2027.
The firm notes that it has already contributed around 8,400m3 of lower carbon concrete for the tower’s foundation, which was delivered in a single 20-hour pour. Cemex noted that the pour threw up a number of logistical challenges for the on-site team from Vaughn Construction, as access to emergency services within the complex had to be maintained at all times.
“Cemex’s purpose of building a better future comes to life when we participate in projects that improve people’s quality of life, particularly in the area of health services, in the communities in which we serve. Not only are we providing expert logistics and resilient materials, but we are also providing an alternative to lower the carbon footprint of the project with our more sustainable solutions,” stated Jaime Muguiro, President of Cemex USA.
Cemex said the rollout of Vertua is part of its Future in Action programme, which aims to see it become a Net Zero CO2 company by 2050.
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Source: MEConstructionNews
ACWA Power is said to have achieved the financial close for projects with a combined value of over US $14bn. The firm said it has had an exceptional 12-month period and notes the projects, which are spread across Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uzbekistan are amongst the largest in the company’s history.
The projects sit across the breadth of ACWA Power’s project portfolio spanning renewables, water desalination and green hydrogen and include the $8.5bn NEOM Green Hydrogen project under construction in the Kingdom, which is said to be the world’s largest utility scale green hydrogen production facility.
“The past 12 months marks a historic milestone for us, as it represents the highest number of projects we have ever successfully achieved financial closure for within 12 months. It demonstrates our agility, resilience, and unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable future for generations to come. It not only validates our expertise as a developer and operator of strategically vital projects but also speaks highly about the trust our investors and partners place in us,” said Abdulhameed Al Muhaidib, CFO of ACWA Power.
In addition to the NEOM Green Hydrogen project, ACWA Power said it also achieved financial closes of the Ar Rass solar PV and the Al Shuaibah 1 and Al Shuaibah 2 solar PV projects, which form a critical part of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Program (NREP); three wind projects in Uzbekistan – Bash, Dzhankeldy and Nukus; the Kom Ombo solar project in Egypt; the Shuaibah 3 IWP, and most recently the Rabigh 4 IWP in Yanbu.
“The financial execution base shows the accelerated rate of development underway across countries when it comes to energy transition. We expect this to ramp up even further in the coming years as governments realise the additional economic benefits of changing their energy mix beyond the climate and environmental ones,” said Al Muhaidib.
The firm noted that financing for the projects has been sourced from several local and international financial institutions and infrastructure development funds, thus highlighting ACWA Power’s market credibility and innovative approach to financing, but also speaking to the growing appetite of institutions in supporting energy transition projects.
Over the coming months, ACWA Power said it will continue to pursue new opportunities and partnerships that align with this mission, to scale up its project footprint both within Saudi Arabia and globally.
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Source: MEConstructionNews
Oman’s real estate market has seen steady growth over the past two years, driven by a notable increase in the expatriate population and continuing strategic investment in the economy. These are among the key findings from the newly-released Oman Property Report 2023, compiled by Savills.
The report highlights the country’s public debt decreasing from 65% of GDP in 2020 to approximately 40% in 2022, the positive shift in macroeconomic fundamentals, and the government’s focus on pro-growth initiatives, infrastructure, diversifying the economy, investing in green energy, and creating long-term economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, there has been a turnaround in trends impacting the expatriate population in Oman; this had been steadily growing until 2016, but faced a marked downward trend starting in 2017. This decline was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a sharp drop of nearly 12% in the total population of 2020. Although there was a modest decrease in expatriate numbers in 2021, 2022 marked a turning point, with the expat population increasing by an impressive 20% due to the improved economic conditions.
The trend has continued in 2023, with a 5% rise so far compared to 2022. As a result, the expatriate population in the Sultanate has surged by 33% from a low point of 1.63m in September 2022 to 2.17m in May 2023.
The Muscat residential rental market has begun to reap the benefits of this notable growth in the expatriate population. Rental values have been stabilising, and in some areas, there are even signs of growth. Key localities such as Al Mouj, Qurum, Shatti Al Qurum, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, and others have experienced increased demand due to their central locations, amenities, and the quality of properties they offer. In particular, Al Mouj has seen rental values rise by approximately 10-to-20% over the last 18 months, while Qurum has witnessed a 5-to-15% increase.
“Over the coming 12 months, we would expect rental values for mid-to-high-end units to remain relatively stable (and even show moderate increases in some locations), but that moderate downward pressure will remain for low-end properties,” said Matthew Wright, Head of Consultancy, Savills Oman.
Other initiatives are also helping: in June, the Omani government awarded a $6.7bn contract to build the world’s largest green hydrogen plant in Duqm. It is also working towards growing the country’s rail and metro capacity, as well as pushing ahead with a crucial passenger and freight rail link connecting the country’s industrial hub in Sohar to the UAE.
For the rental sector, despite the ongoing supply and demand imbalance in Muscat, achievable rental values for mid-range to higher-quality office spaces have remained largely stable over the last 18 months. Landlords, whilst not lowering headline rents, have been offering incentives to attract and retain tenants, such as extended rent-free periods. In the coming year, the market is expected to remain tenant-favoured, with rental values remaining stable, especially for mid-to-high-end units. However, there may be moderate upward pressure on rental values in some locations.
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Source: MEConstructionNews
The planet’s resources are finite, and it’s our responsibility to use them wisely while maximizing their benefits.
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is committed to promoting a circular economy approach that not only conserves resources but also offers significant advantages such as cost savings, reduced lead times, and enhanced machine uptime – all while ensuring the quality and warranty of brand new machines and parts.
Here are three ways to get involved.
- Choose Volvo Approved Used Equipment
When expanding your equipment fleet, consider opting for a used machine from Volvo CE’s Approved Used Equipment service.
A Volvo Approved Used A40G articulated hauler, for example, saves approximately 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions versus buying a new machine.
Beyond the environmental benefits, opting for used machines comes with financial advantages, as they are more budget-friendly than brand new ones. Plus, you won’t have to wait for extended delivery times.
Volvo-trained technicians thoroughly inspect the machines to ensure quality, performance, and reliability. Each purchase also includes a Volvo Approved Used warranty, providing you with peace of mind knowing you’re investing in a high-quality, ready-to-work machine.
- Get a second life for parts with Volvo Reman
Instead of purchasing new parts, consider replacing them with refurbished ones from Volvo Reman. The process takes used, worn parts and often improves them by incorporating available updates and the latest specifications.
This not only benefits the environment by reusing 85% of the original materials and recycling the rest but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions, as it requires 80% less energy than manufacturing new components.
Volvo Reman also offers quicker delivery and replacement compared to traditional repair methods, resulting in improved machine uptime. With the added benefit of a warranty equivalent to that of a brand-new component, all at an attractive price, it’s a popular choice among Volvo customers.
- Extend the life of your machine with a Volvo Certified Rebuild
Don’t retire your machine prematurely; give it a second or third life with a Volvo Certified Rebuild.
In Volvo certified workshops, worn parts are refurbished or replaced with Volvo-approved used parts. The process can also incorporate updates such as air conditioning or new seating to meet your unique requirements, ensuring that your machine is up-to-date with the latest technical specifications.
Contact your local Volvo CE dealer today to explore these options for improving both sustainability and your bottom line.
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Source: MEConstructionNews
Roshn Group has announced the opening of sales for Warefa, its new mixed-use residential community in Riyadh. The project is said to place residents at the centre of the city’s new growth story and is within easy reach of the capital’s key locations.
Building on the success of Roshn’s flagship Sedra development, Warefa will offer Saudi residents high quality, integrated living in the rapidly developing district of Al Janadriyyah. To support the Warefa community and facilitate property ownership, Roshn has inaugurated a dedicated sales centre, located in the eastern part of Riyadh. It features a detailed model of the project and various interactive technologies to showcase the community, units, and facilities.
In addition, there are dedicated offices and representatives of local banks within the sales centre. These bank representatives play a crucial role in providing financial planning services to customers, ensuring that their financial budgets align with the available options. They also offer advice on suitable payment methods and future commitments. Their role extends to assisting sales advisors by providing insights into the amount a customer is willing to pay, ensuring that Roshn customers get precisely what they need and can afford. Furthermore, they facilitate the home financing process in the most convenient way possible, the developer explained.
Roshn’s goal is for the centre to be a comprehensive, one-stop shop, addressing all customer needs and providing the best services to facilitate long-term property ownership. Customers can schedule a visit to the center through the website.
Warefa will offer 1,609 units for the first phase of the project, varying between villas, townhouses, and duplexes will be available for purchase, all supported by Roshn’s mix of civic amenities and attractive public spaces.
Developed over six neighbourhoods – and set over 1.4m sqm – 11% of Warefa’s total footprint is also dedicated to open and green spaces, with an accent on fine landscaping and close proximity to recreational facilities.
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Source: MEConstructionNews
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has launched hydrogen train tests in the Kingdom, following the signing of an agreement with Alstom. It will conduct the operational tests and studies necessary for preparing the train for the extremes of the Kingdom’s environment, in readiness for future entry into service.
The early works are in compliance with the memorandum of understanding signed by the Ministry of Energy and SAR, on 20 January 2022.
Trials started this October, and SAR emphasised that such trains are the first to be used in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Minister of Transportation & Logistics and SAR Chairman, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, said the step is part of the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and wider plans to move to a more sustainable transport system that adopts the latest smart technologies.
He added that SAR is committed to its leading role in achieving the Saudi Green Initiative, stemming from the Saudi Vision 2030, which stipulates increasing the Kingdom’s reliance on clean energy, reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.
SAR CEO, Dr Bashar Al-Malik, commented on the company’s commitment to implementing initiatives that align with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, noting that the hydrogen train is one of the most important innovations in sustainable transport – since the energy needed for the operation and movement of these trains is generated without emitting carbon.
The certified trials of hydrogen trains began in 2018 in Germany and continued until 2020. Commercial operations, limited to passenger transport, then commenced in 2022.
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The dates has been announced for the region’s leading Awards event for the transportation and mobility sectors.
The Truck and Fleet Middle East Awards 2024, including the prestigious Middle East Truck of the Year Award, will take place on the 23rd January, 2024 at the Ritz Carlton JBR hotel and resort.
Now in their third year, these awards celebrate professional fleets and vehicle makers who play a key role in the operations, logistics and projects at the heart of the GCC economy.
The Awards recognise fleets, as well as manufacturers and dealers whose trucks lead the way – whose out-of-the-box innovations deliver critical commercial ‘edge’, day in, day out.
The Middle East Truck of the Year Award will be decided by an expanded cohort of judges, the Truck and Fleet Middle East team have confirmed.
The Truck and Fleet Middle East Awards 2024 will also feature product and automotive channel awards which will be decided by a region-wide vote which begins on 1 November.
Companies wanting to take part in any of the 20-plus categories can now go to the Awards site to place themselves up for nomination throughout October.
Submitting your entry is easy, simply upload your nomination with images and other information, including technical specifications, before 30 October.
From the 1 November, Truck and Fleet will then be staging a public vote to find out the market’s preferred winner in each of the open categories. This is expected to close on the 1st January.
The all-important Fleet Awards entries are not open to voting and are treated as confidential as part of the assessment process. Fleets wishing to be nominated can also visit the site to upload their entries.,
“The Truck and Fleet Middle East Awards are getting bigger every year and it is exciting to once again launch the next event,” said Stephen White, head of content, Truck and Fleet Middle East.
“The market is picking up and opportunities are opening up for fleets across the region that we have never seen before. We are fortunate to be witnessing some major announcements around the COP28 meeting, the rise of digitalisation, and the rapid progress of the Saudi market; all of which should be reflected by an even stronger and more exciting set of nominees and winners this year.”
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Source: MEConstructionNews
Belgium-based Elia has secured the environmental permit for the construction of the world’s first artificial energy island. Princess Elisabeth Island will serve as a hub connecting offshore wind farms and interconnectors to Belgium’s onshore power grid, said the firm which is a transmission system operator (TSO).
A consortium comprising two Belgian marine construction companies, DEME and Jan De Nul, will undertake the island’s construction and have already begun site preparation activities in Vlissingen, the Netherlands. They will first construct the concrete foundations, known as caissons, for Princess Elisabeth Island, which will be located 45km from the Belgian coast, a statement from the firm noted.
“Belgium is a leader in offshore wind. It is accelerating the energy transition via a fourfold increase in offshore wind capacity in the Belgian North Sea, the construction of an energy island and new interconnectors with countries which surround the North Sea,” said Tinne Van der Straeten, Belgium’s Federal Minister for Energy.
The island’s construction is expected to last two years, commencing in March 2024 and concluding in August 2026. The recent grant of an environmental permit for the construction of caissons at Verbrugge Zeeland Terminals in North Sea Port signals the project’s progression, the firm added.
During construction activities in Vlissingen, project coordination will be conducted from Port Oostend, with logistics and engineering operations moving to the newly renovated Stapelhuis warehouse in early November 2023. The project is expected to create approximately 80 jobs.
A spokesperson for Elia stated, “The energy island will become an offshore wind energy hub that will provide green, affordable energy for our families and companies. It is important that we take marine life into account, both above and below water. It is good that Elia is continuing to focus on Nature Inclusive Design.”
Once completed, Princess Elisabeth Island will be the world’s first artificial energy island to combine direct current (HVDC) and alternating current (HVAC). The high-voltage infrastructure on the island will consolidate export cables from wind farms in the new Princess Elisabeth Zone, while simultaneously serving as a hub for future interconnectors with the United Kingdom (Nautilus) and Denmark (TritonLink).
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Saudi-based developer Roshn Group has launched the third edition of its Himam graduate leadership programme to enable, enhance and empower the next generation of Saudi leaders. The developer said that applications are now open until 15 October, 2023, to Saudi citizens who have recently graduated or have less than a year’s employment experience.
Himam is a holistic 18-month, three phase programme combining internationally partnered academic programmes with on-the-job training. alongside experienced and expert professionals within Roshnto hone and expand participants’ skills.
The programme offers participants the opportunity to interact with key individuals with extensive industry knowledge across multiple sectors, expanding horizons and broadening perspectives. Programme graduates join Roshn – a diverse and internationally awarded ‘Best Place to Work’ – where Saudi citizens make around 70% of the workforce, while around 40 other nationalities bring ideas and expertise from across the globe, said a statement from the firm.
Nasreen Aldossary, Chief Human Resources Officer, Roshn Group added, “We are committed at Roshn to empower talented Saudis to grow their skills, to provide them with the essential experience, and to fulfil their career’s ambitions in-line with our commitment to the 2030 Vision, and our own Saudisation goals. We believe that Himam’s participants will bring fresh perspectives and exciting new insights to Roshn that are worthy of being incubated. Ensuring that as we grow, cross frontiers, and enter new markets, we are powered by a workforce equipped with expectational problem solving skills, a desire to succeed and grow, and a strong commitment to the Roshn project and its values.”
The Himam programme is designed to bring benefits to the entire company. Participants work with Roshn’s upper, middle, and administrative teams in a way that allows them to share their ideas and unique perspectives, while gaining valuable personal and professional experience that will inform their entire careers, the developer explained.
Select Himam graduates will also join Roshn’s Youth Committee – which facilitates communication between experienced leadership and the new intake – giving these rising stars regular opportunities to meet with senior management to discuss their aspirations and contribute to the group’s development.
Candidates can apply online through the Himam website https://www.roshn.sa/en/himam from 5 October to 15 October 2023 to begin their journey. Following a series of online and in-person tests and interviews, the programme begins on 25th November, with 25 successful candidates joining Roshn.
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Source: MEConstructionNews