A US $6.7bn deal to build the world’s largest green hydrogen plant in Duqm, Oman has been awarded to a consortium led by South Korean steelmaker Posco Group.

The consortium partners on the project include Samsung Engineering, a construction unit of Samsung Group, and two other Korean state-run power companies, as well as French energy major Engie and Thai national petroleum company PTTEP.

According to a report published by The Korea Economic Daily, Omani authorities will be signing the deal on 21 June with the Posco consortium, in the presence of its energy and minerals minister.

As per the terms of the deal, Posco Holdings will be leading the project and managing the plant-building processes in Oman, while Samsung Engineering will handle the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work of the facilities, stated the report.

The other firms in the consortium will either produce or sell the green hydrogen generated by the factory, the report concluded.

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The Global Cement & Concrete Association (GCCA) has announced that the United Nations (UN) has backed its plan to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. UN Secretary General António Guterres addressed around 200 industry leaders in Zurich via video call, and said he wanted to see “concrete pledges from the concrete industry”.

Guterres’ comments followed a rallying call from GCCA Chief Executive Thomas Guillot for the industry to redouble its efforts and work in partnership with governments to achieve Net Zero.

The world’s leading manufacturers – all members of the GCCA – have pledged to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050, in line with GCCA’s Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete. The cement and concrete industry claims to be the first heavy industry to set out such a detailed plan.

“We applaud all the action our members are taking to implement carbon-cutting measures and the latest data shows emissions are coming down. But many challenges remain which we must overcome if we are to achieve Net Zero including enabling policies and regulations from governments across the world, which often don’t yet exist,” said Guillot in his address.

He continued, “So today, I urge every manufacturer across the world, who has not yet done so, to join our pledge to eliminate emissions by 2050. But I also implore all governments to work with our essential industry to deliver the policy framework that can create the favourable conditions to unlock the transition.”

Guillot said that concrete is, “fundamental to building a better world – and we have no time to lose if we are to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5-degrees Celsius. Science tells us that requires cutting global greenhouse emissions by almost half by 2030. That means taking a quantum leap in climate action and slashing global emissions, starting now.”

In his video address, Guterres also outlined three ambitions for the industry: to end the use of coal-fired power in cement production; work more closely with governments, especially G20 countries, to speed up decarbonisation; and set ambitious emission targets and transition plans in line with UN guidelines.

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Sobha Realty, the UAE-based premium real estate developer, has launched its new flagship mixed-use community – Sobha Hartland II – aimed at “redefining luxury waterfront living”.

Spread over 8 million sq. ft., the project is located next to Sobha Hartland and consists of five- and six-bedroom villas as well as one- to four-bedroom apartments, with more than 30% of the plot given over to open and green spaces.

Unveiling the project, the Dubai developer said each residential unit is designed to offer comfort, style, and functionality, thus showcasing Sobha Realty’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality.

Sustainability and environmental stewardship have also been key pillars of the community, it stated.

Along with a waterfront promenade, the community will also be home to vast green spaces and spacious parks that will provide residents with a serene experience and promote their overall wellbeing.

In addition, due to the community’s prime location in the centre of Dubai, residents will have an easy access to key business districts, shopping malls, leading educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.

Ravi Menon, Co-Chairman of Sobha Realty, said: “Dubai’s real estate market is constantly evolving, and the recent surge in sale of luxury properties in the emirate indicates the rise of new residential micro-markets. At Sobha Realty, we work hard to surpass our customers’ expectations by setting new benchmarks in design, craftsmanship, and amenities, which is also in line with Sobha group’s brand ethos – ‘The Art of Detail’. Sobha Hartland II exemplifies luxury waterfront living at its finest, and we are delighted to introduce this exceptional community that combines timeless elegance with modern comfort.”

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Oman is launching an integrated entertainment project, Spray Boulevard, at an investment of RO40 million ($103 million) in Salalah, which will cater to both locals and tourists. The objective of the development is to add value as an outlet for visitors and residents in the governorate.

The design of the Spray Boulevard project won top government recognition and was declared one among the three best projects in a contest organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.

Spread over a 470,000 sq. m. area, the project, which will be implemented on a public-private-partnership (PPP) will boast waterfront restaurants, a grand market, suspended walkways and a botanical garden in addition to suspended walkways, theatres and a venue for specialised exhibitions and events.

The Ministry of Finance will provide RO10 million funding for the first phase of infrastructure and related services, while the rest will be financed by private sector institutions.

The star attractions within the development, which is expected to be implemented within the next four years,  are the Grand Market and The Square and Fountain Island.

Once completed, Spray Boulevard is expected to draw 800,000 visitors during the Khareef Dhofar season, and 200,000 visitors during the rest of the seasons combined. The project will be instrumental in promoting local tourism as well as creating jobs. It will also, over the years, turn into a global tourist destination with a wide range of events and exotic tourism experiences.

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14,400 traditional lighting units have been replaced with eco-friendly LED lights, as part of a major upgrade carried out by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The upgrade project included the renovation of 39 tunnels and crossings, spanning 22.6km, the RTA stated.

The RTA said it was deeply committed to energy conservation and strengthening Dubai and the UAE’s green economy and sustainability, besides promoting a clean environment. The RTA is committed to implementing the best international practices to achieve financial sustainability through optimal utilisation and extension of the lifespan of its assets, the firm explained.

The project entailed re-engineering the operating systems of tunnel lighting units and night road crossings, with sustainable, eco-friendly lights, said the RTA.

“We recently renovated the lighting for 39 tunnels. This six-month project entailed some of Dubai’s prominent tunnels including the Airport Tunnel, Shindagha Tunnel, Dubai Mall Tunnel, and the Dubai World Trade Centre Tunnel,” explained Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency, at RTA.

She continued, “LED lighting units have many eco-friendly features, such as consuming 60% less energy than traditional lighting units and offering an increased lifespan by up to 177% in comparison to older lights. The new lights have a lifespan of 50,000 hours, compared to 18,000 hours for conventional lighting units, which reduces the frequency of lights replacements and minimizes maintenance and operational costs. Furthermore, compared to traditional lamps there’s a 20% reduction in energy loss and heat emissions, enhancing the efficiency of both the units’ lighting operational system and the tunnels’ energy supply network.”

According to bin Adai, the RTA had carefully evaluated the level of brightness and colour clarity inside Dubai’s tunnels when installing the new lighting units, to ensure optimal visibility for road users, consequently enhancing traffic safety.

“The LED lighting units offer a lighting intensity of 6,000 lumens compared to 4,000 lumens for older lamps, improving the lighting quality. These units do not include environmentally harmful chemicals, like mercury found in traditional lights, which serves RTA and Dubai’s vision of achieving environmental sustainability,” she concluded.

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A new US $20bn waterfront luxury lifestyle destination has been unveiled by developer Emaar Properties. Spread over an area of 100m sqft, The Oasis by Emaar will feature 7,000 residential units and will comprise a mix of large mansions and villas, and aims to provide residents with views of water canals, lakes, and parks.

According to a statement, The Oasis by Emaar is located in a prime location within Dubai and will be surrounded by high-end developments. It will offer proximity to four international golf courses and is located just 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai.

Aiming to provide a prestigious and upscale living experience in Dubai’s real estate landscape, the development has been designed to create a resort-style lifestyle, with 25% of the land dedicated to lakes, water canals, parks, jogging tracks, green spaces, and various luxury amenities, the statement noted.

Unveiling the project at a gala event at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, Emaar said the project’s emphasis on recreational spaces will allow residents to enjoy a high-quality living environment and engage in an active and healthy lifestyle.

“In each of its destinations, Emaar strives to meet the needs of our discriminating clientele. Our primary objective is to design one-of-a-kind destinations that complement our clients’ opulent way of life, while providing unmatched comfort and luxury. Our most recent integrated project,” stated Emaar Founder Mohamed Alabbar.

The Oasis by Emaar will also feature an expansive 1.5m sqft retail area, which will host an array of lifestyle brands and offer residents access to superior shopping options. Moreover, there will be a variety of food and beverage outlets, ensuring a diverse culinary scene to cater to different preferences, he stated.

“The Oasis by Emaar is poised to complement the urban landscape of Dubai and redefine the future of luxurious living amidst nature and water, blending harmonious architecture and exceptional amenities,” Alabbar concluded.

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The all-new E-generation Volvo R60 Rigid Hauler is the perfect partner for heavy-duty quarrying and mining. Built for markets with tier 2-compliant engines and based on the R100E model, the R60 packs a higher payload than the D-generation model it replaces, along with a durable design and new comfort and safety-enhancing features – enabling it to move more for less with every cycle.Volvo

Big on efficiency

Drew Watson, Global Product Manager for the Volvo R60 at Volvo CE, says: “The Volvo R60 offers a 55-tonne payload and body volume of 36m3, enabled by a V-shaped body ensuring optimum load retention and minimal material carry-back.

“The rigid hauler is a perfect match for a 90-tonne excavator and meets the industry standard of 10/10/20 where it can take 10% overload for 10% of the time but should not exceed 20%. To help operators haul the optimum amount of material, an optional On-Board Weighing system provides real-time payload insight to the hauler operator via the on-board display, and can predict the 10/10/20 payload.”

Contributing to speedy cycle times, the drivetrain combines high torque capability and high drive axle multiplication to deliver the traction force needed to take on the steepest site gradients.

Not only is it productive, but the Volvo R60 is also fuel efficient. Thanks to Volvo Dynamic Shift Control, gear selection is automatic to adapt to varying conditions, whilst ECO mode enables the hauler to default to the most efficient gear shifting schedule. In addition, auto engine-idle shut-down eliminates unnecessary fuel consumption and engine wear.

The rigid hauler is available with CareTrack telematics system to enable remote machine monitoring and help boost efficiency even further. What’s more, customers can gain recommendations on the optimum fleet configuration and site set-up from their Volvo dealer

Strong and durable

Designed to deliver high uptime and low operating costs, the R60 is built to last with a 60,000-hour life frame and a list of features that contribute to long-lasting performance and component life, including:

• A low center of gravity and balanced weight distribution to provide rock-solid stability and spread the impact of loads and stresses across the machine
• A high-strength, flexible chassis and responsive MacPherson strut with lower wishbone connection to absorb shocks and vibrations and improve the operator ride
• A V-shaped body, manufactured from high impact and high abrasion resistant steel, with minimal number of panels and welds
• Neutral coast inhibitor and engine overspeed protection to further minimize wear

Servicing of the R60 is required every 500 hours and can be completed swiftly thanks to a straightforward machine design that includes grouped maintenance points located within easy reach either from the ground or the service platform, as well as common-sized bearings throughout.

On-board diagnostics provide insights into system pressures and temperatures, and fault reporting to facilitate and speed-up troubleshooting.

Comfortably productive

The Volvo R60 is built with operator comfort and safety top of mind.

Operators can enter the cab from both sides using anti-slip steps and walkways. The cab is now pressurized, Roll/Fall-Over Protective Structure-certified (ROPS/FOPS) and features a left-positioned operator station to aid safe passing. Volvo Smart View is an added option to improve visibility even further with a 360° birds-eye view of the work zone.

Ergonomically positioned displays, responsive fingertip controls and low-effort steering combine to make operation effortless. The adjustable air-suspended seat and a Bluetooth-enabled audio system add to operator comfort.

The Volvo R60 is equipped with two retardation systems to keep a steady speed and facilitate machine navigation when going downhill, reducing the need for operator input. When manually selected, the transmission retarder slows the drivetrain to limit wheel lock-up, particularly useful on steep declines or in wet conditions. The modulating braking retarder can be automatically activated when the operator’s foot is off the accelerator to maintain a gear selected constant engine speed. What’s more, fail-safe braking and secondary steering systems add to jobsite safety.

Customers wanting to lower Total Cost of Ownership in quarry and mining applications should look no further than the Volvo R60 Rigid Hauler.

Key specifications:

Payload capacity: 55 000kg

Body volume, SAE 2:1 heap: 36m³

Net weight: 44,820kg

Gross weight: 99 820kg

Engine: Cummins QSK 19, CAC, Tier2

Gross power: 567kW @2,100rpm

Max SAE J1349 gross torque: 3,084Nm @1,500rpm

Max speed: 60.6km/h

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The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) has attracted foreign direct investments worth US $266mn from Chinese companies based in industrial cities across the Kingdom.

The investors are all based in transformative industries and have a high focus on quality and innovation, said a top official from Modon.

This will help boost Modon’s contributions to the KSA gross domestic product (GDP) and also create more job opportunities, remarked Vice President of Business Development, Engineer Ali Al Omeir.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the 10th session of the Arab-China Business Conference which concluded on 12th June in Riyadh. Modon said that it had presented a working paper at the summit.

Engineer Ali Al Omeir added, “The Chinese investments in industrial cities are highly diversified, which is in line with national targets of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs and the objectives of the National Industrial Strategy.”

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Sinaha Platform has signed an agreement with international partners to build the first automobile facility in Abu Dhabi dedicated to manufacturing automobiles from recyclable materials. The move is aimed at establishing Abu Dhabi as a prominent auto hub for sustainable production.

This initiative marks a significant milestone for the country’s automotive industry, contributing to the achievement of Operation 300Bn and the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy. The vehicles produced in this facility will feature eco-friendly and recyclable external structures, promoting environmental sustainability and incorporating technologies that enhance fuel efficiency by reducing weight and material consumption.

In addition to catering to local demand, the factory will supply the international market with affordable, high-quality cars equipped with advanced four-wheel drive technology, the statement noted.

The agreement for the plant was signed by Kardous Mohammad bin Salem bin Kardous Al Ameri, Deputy CEO of Sinaha, and Kirill Kuzin, Director-General of APAL International, during the ‘Make it in the Emirates Forum’ held recently in Abu Dhabi. The deal is also in alignment with the UAE’s upcoming hosting of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in November.

Sinaha Chairman Mohammed bin Salem bin Kardous Al Ameri explained that the purpose of the platform was to improve quality investment opportunities to build a more sustainable, efficient, and competitive industrial sector in a way that supports the national economy and global climate action plans. “In the Sinaha platform we support all national efforts and strategies in an integrated way with all partners to support the national industrial sector and improve industrial capacity. Our products proudly carry the ‘Made in the Emirates’ mark and target local, regional, and international markets.”

Made using local raw materials, the new vehicle model has a highly advanced and effective damping protection system that meets all applicable standards. Plus, the model will feature two engines; an economical petrol engine and an all-electric engine, the statement concluded.

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