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January 31, 2024 foasummit0

Real estate developer Damac Properties has signed up UAE-based Al Qandeel Contracting to provide main works services for its new Verona Cluster in Damac Hills 2.

Launched in 2014, Damac Hills 2 is a 55m sqft master community and home to more than 30,000 residents. The second phase of the developer’s first master community, Damac Hills, it was then followed by Damac Lagoons in late 2021.

Billed as a major cluster within the community development, Verona will feature rows of four-bedroom townhouses and will offer residents a range of state-of-the-art facilities to enjoy, including water parks and sports activities. Other amenities include an outdoor cinema, a dog park, a petting farm and jogging and cycling track. There are also tennis and basketball courts, a cricket pitch and vast spaces in the Central Park, where residents can do yoga or any other type of fitness activity.

As per the US $49mn contract, Al Qandeel will provide construction of the main works package for 384 villas at the Verona cluster.

Mohammed Tahaineh, General Manager of Damac commented,  “Since the launch of Verona in the second half of last year, we have seen strong interest in the cluster and community. It gives me great joy to see this demand, as well as the progress our second master community has made and continues to grow each day. With a range of new amenities for our residents, including our own Malibu beach and a lazy river, we are happy to see the community continuing to attract investors and residents to Damac Hills 2.”

He also described the ambience of Damac Hills 2 as offering a “Californian coastal vibe” to Dubai, for the residents to enjoy.

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Source: ME Construction News


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January 31, 2024 foasummit0

Two contracts worth more than US $3.3bn have been awarded by Saudi Aramco to a joint venture (JV) between Spanish contractor Técnicas Reunidas and Chinese firm Sinopec.

The JV will serve as an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contractor for the construction of the Riyas NGL Fractionation Facility in Saudi Arabia.

According to a report, the JV is 65% owned by Técnicas Reunidas and 35% by Sinopec Engineering Group, which means that the Spanish company will account for more than $2.15bn of the total investment.

The works will be developed on the basis of two EPC contracts for the execution of Riyas NGL Fractionation Trains (Package 1) and Riyas NGL Common Facilities (Package 2), which includes utilities, storage and export facilities.

The new facility will produce ethane, propane, butane and pentane, the report concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News


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January 31, 2024 foasummit0

A new agreement has been formalised between the European Commission and the African Development Bank. The deal will see increased investment flow into infrastructure projects in Africa.

According to a report, the European Union has increased its co-financing of operations with the African Development Bank to US $1.1bn. The two parties said that figure would increase further following the signing of a new Financial Framework Partnership Agreement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina.

The partnership is expected to open up new opportunities for both organisations to deliver joint financing for infrastructure projects, as per the African Development Bank. Planned investments include more funding for strategic transport corridors in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in energy and digital connectivity.

One of the main joint projects is the development of the ‘Lobito Corridor’ to enhance export possibilities for Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

For the European Union, the partnership would be in keeping with the priorities of its Global Gateway initiative. Between 2021 and 2027, through the Africa-EU Global Gateway Investment Package, the EU is expected to support the African continent with $162.4bn.

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Source: ME Construction News


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January 30, 2024 foasummit0

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.”

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Source: ME Construction News


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January 30, 2024 foasummit0

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.

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Source: ME Construction News


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January 29, 2024 foasummit0

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.”

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Source: ME Construction News


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January 29, 2024 foasummit0

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.

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Source: ME Construction News


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January 29, 2024 foasummit0

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.”

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Source: ME Construction News


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January 25, 2024 foasummit0

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.

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Source: ME Construction News


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January 25, 2024 foasummit0

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.

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Source: ME Construction News