Oman Electricity Transmission Company has announced the groundbreaking of its first-of-a-kind Masirah Island Interconnection Project. The project’s aim is to enhance development and ensure continuous improvement in the efficiency of electricity transmission; it will comprehensively apply best practices and adopt the latest technologies and innovations.

The scope of work includes the construction of a 132/33 kV Masirah Island Grid Station, a 132 kV subsea cable stretching 25km, a 132 kV underground cable 9km long, as well as establishing a transmission network in Masirah Island.

The project will address the increasing demand for energy and rising levels of consumption, thereby improving the quality of public services and supporting the local community, in addition to boosting the attractiveness of future investments.

At the groundbreaking ceremony held under the patronage of Minister of Energy and Minerals Engineer Salim Nasser Al Aufi, CEO Engineer Saleh Nasser Al Rumhi said: “OETC works diligently with maximum energy and highest capacities and capabilities to achieve the targets and aspirations at both the institutional and national levels. This is achieved by ensuring the efficiency and132 kV overhead lines expanding over 60km to link 400/132 kV Mahout with Masirah Grid Station.”

He highlighted OETC’s efforts to strengthen the electricity transmission network, raising efficiency and performance to global standards within internationally approved frameworks and standards. OETC, meanwhile, is keen to invest its competencies and expertise in developing the electricity sector in the Sultanate of Oman, in order to achieve the nation’s strategic goals and future aspirations.

The Masirah Island project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 80,000t annually and thereby contribute to achieving the Sultanate of Oman’s Net Zero emissions by 2050.

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Source: ME Construction News

AD Ports Group has signed a shareholder agreement with the CMA CGM Group, a sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, through its subsidiary CMA Terminals, to jointly develop, manage and operate the New East Mole multipurpose terminal in Pointe Noire, Congo-Brazzaville, for which AD Ports Group received a 30-year extendable concession in June 2023.

With the signing, AD Ports Group and the CMA CGM Group formed a joint venture, majority-owned by AD Ports Group, to develop, manage, and operate New East Mole multipurpose terminal at the Port of Pointe Noire, which will handle containers, general, break-bulk and other types of cargo at the Central West African nation’s biggest Atlantic port, said a statement.

At the time it obtained the concession, AD Ports Group said it expected to invest about US $220mn to build a quay wall plus a logistics area, during Phase 1 of the project. With this new agreement, AD Ports Group and the CMA CGM Group are further cementing their partnership after the inauguration of CMA Terminals Khalifa Port last December, a $845mn container terminal that will eventually expand Khalifa Port’s container capacity.

The JV has confirmed that the terminal will be operated as a ‘multi-user’ facility and AD Ports Group will maintain controlling majority ownership in management and operation of the terminal and as such the operations will still be fully consolidated. The New East Mole multipurpose terminal at the Port of Pointe Noire has already placed an order for three Super Post-Panamax Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, which represent the latest generation in port equipment.

Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, Regional CEO,  AD Ports Group said, “This agreement further enhances our strategic partnership with CMA CGM in several markets and projects along global trade lines, the latest of which was the inauguration of CMA Terminals Khalifa Port last December. Our collaboration at the port of Pointe Noire is a continuation of this association. We look forward to jointly developing and managing phase 1 of the New East Mole multipurpose terminal with the CMA CGM Group. We believe this partnership will position the Republic of Congo at the centre of maritime trade, in line with projections for annual growth of 3% to 5% in container volumes forecast for the country over the medium term.”

Christine Cabau Woehrel, Executive Vice President for Assets and Operations, CMA CGM Group added, “Our investment with AD Ports Group at the Port of Pointe Noire is a new milestone of our of our strategic collaboration between CMA T and AD Ports Group as we enable modern, sustainable ports and maritime infrastructure for the next wave of global trade. We look forward to bringing the operational and economic benefits of this collaborative, sustainable approach to The Republic of the Congo and to its importers and exporters. The multipurpose terminal is set to become a hub for trade and commerce in the region, enhancing job creation, providing knowledge transfer and connecting Congo-Brazzaville to global markets.”

Additionally, Pointe Noire will receive nine hybrid Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and other associated handling equipment. These hybrid RTGs offer significant environmental benefits, reducing diesel consumption by up to 60%, cutting CO₂ emissions, reducing the carbon footprint, and promoting the sustainability goals.

The group said it successfully completed an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for New East Mole terminal, which adhered to Congolese regulations and international best practices, including those set by International Finance Corporation (IFC) standards. The ESIA provided key recommendations to enhance the project’s social, community, and environmental performance during both the construction and operational phases.

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TBH has solidified its commitment to the Saudi Arabian market with the appointment of two senior leaders – Mike Belt and Alaa Arabi, who join its management team with the aim of driving growth and strengthening the company’s position in the Kingdom.

Mike Belt joins TBH as Country Director for KSA, bringing over three decades of experience, primarily in the Middle East, working on projects across a range of industries including oil and gas, mega mixed-used developments, themed entertainment, and resort development. Mike’s core areas of focus will be to lead and nurture the business’ growing team in the Kingdom, as well as play an instrumental role in driving new opportunities for business growth, aligning with TBH’s ongoing commitment to building a strong and sustainable business in Saudi Arabia.

“TBH has experienced a strong growth trajectory in KSA over the past five years – it is an exciting time to join the firm. I am delighted to be leading such a talented team and make a meaningful contribution in further strengthening TBH’s position in the market. Having worked across the Middle East region for most of my career, TBH’s firm commitment to the Saudi market was a key driver in my decision to join. We have ambitious goals and targets to meet in the coming years, and our people are at the centre of making these a reality, which is why I am incredibly excited to bring my expertise in staff leadership and development to TBH,” said Belt.

With 18 years’ experience, Arabi joins TBH as a Principal, bringing technical expertise in Project Controls, Planning & Scheduling, Cost Management, and Risk Management. He has previously worked on the delivery of mega and giga-programmes, including industrial cities, ports, metros, city development infrastructure, and heritage and cultural assets. As Principal, Alaa will be working closely with TBH’s new and current clients to support their project delivery – ultimately contributing to the success of Saudi’s 2030 Vision.

Arabi states, “As a specialist consultancy renowned for working on high-risk, large-scale and challenging projects around the world, joining TBH was a natural fit for me given my experience working on complex giga projects. TBH’s commitment to service delivery aligns fully with my work ethic and I am looking forward to working closely with our clients to elevate our service offering and continue in supporting on the delivery of some of the world’s most iconic projects in Saudi Arabia.”

TBH Director, Christopher Nicolas added, “This year TBH will celebrate its 60^thanniversary, and the Middle East market, particularly Saudi Arabia, has formed a core part of our overall business growth in recent years – with the Middle East now being TBH’s second largest business unit globally. I am delighted to welcome Mike and Alaa to our leadership team their individual experiences and knowledge will be instrumental in further enhancing our offering to our clients and will also provide additional senior management expertise to support our ongoing growth expansion in the region. Expanding our operations by opening a new office space, coupled with Mike and Alaa joining our Saudi leadership team, are just the first steps in a series of plans we have this year. As home to several bold and exciting projects, TBH is fully committed to the Middle East region and to providing solutions for a better tomorrow.” added Nicolas.

TBH has increased its footprint, expanding its operations with a move into a new, larger office space on King Fahd Road in Riyadh. The office move comes after five years of growth in the Kingdom.

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Dubai-based Select Group has acquired the Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City for US $54.5mn, marking the highest-recorded hotel sale in Dubai’s Media Free Zone. The transaction, brokered by Knight Frank MENA, highlights the continued strong investment appeal of Dubai’s hospitality sector, which has seen twelve hotel transactions in the past 18 months, with Knight Frank handling nine of them, said a statement.

As part of its expansion strategy, Select Group plans to undertake refurbishment of the business-centric hotel, which is situated near the regional headquarters of META, Pfizer, Samsung, and Mastercard. The renovation will focus on upgrading rooms, public areas, and food and beverage venues to fill what Select Group identifies as a critical gap in Media City’s hospitality offerings.

Rahail Aslam, Founder and Chairman of Select Group said, “We are excited to announce the acquisition of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City, marking a pivotal milestone in our ongoing commitment to securing prime assets in strategic locations. The property will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment to enhance the experience for both travelers and residents.”

Andrew Love, Regional Partner and Head of Capital Markets at Knight Frank MENA highlighted, “The sale of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City is a testament to Dubai’s continued evolution as a global hotspot for hotel investment. As the highest recorded hotel sale transaction in the Media Free Zone, it demonstrates the value of strategically located assets in Dubai’s thriving market.”

The purchase was executed through Select M City, subsidiary of Select Investments Limited, with Baker McKenzie and Wisefields serving as legal advisors. This acquisition further solidifies Select Group’s commitment to enhancing hospitality experiences in key locations, ensuring long-term growth and value creation in the sector.

Select Group is expanding its portfolio with a development portfolio exceeding 20m sqft and a gross development value of $9.574bn. This expansion solidifies the company’s position in the property development landscape. Select Group has delivered over 7,000 homes and has 6,000 additional units in the pipeline, further enhancing its reputation in the industry.

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Wynn Resorts has announced that Wynn Al Marjan Island has obtained a US $2.4bn construction facility syndicate of lenders to finance the development of Wynn Al Marjan Island, the first integrated resort in the United Arab Emirates. Wynn Al Marjan Island is located 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

The secured term loan facility, made available to Wynn Al Marjan Island FZ-LLC which is a subsidiary of the 40%-owned joint venture, is denominated in a combination of AED and USD currencies, reflecting the bulk of the expected development expenditures to be incurred in AED. The term of the loan is seven years at a competitive market interest rate and is structured as a delayed draw facility which provides significant financial flexibility to the joint venture partners, said a statement.

In the low-rise portion of the building, the concrete and steel structures are a combined 70% complete. Exterior facades and interior fit out have commenced, while elevator and escalator installation across the property are also progressing, said Wynn Resorts.

The bank syndicate includes a mix of regional and international lenders. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Deutsche Bank AG acted as Joint Coordinators of the financing. The joint coordinators as well as First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, and The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah acted as Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers, Bookrunners and Underwriters, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation DIFC Branch, Dubai acted as Lead Arranger. First Abu Dhabi Bank is acting as Agent and Security Agent for the lenders.

Project construction is proceeding with 64% of the structural concrete completed up to the 34^th floor of the main resort tower and elevator cores extending to the 36^th floor. The construction team is completing one floor per week, working toward a topping off in December of this year.  In the last 100 days, the resort tower has grown approximately 140ft.

The resort will offer 1,542 rooms and suites, and 80% of the tower structure is said to be completed. The exterior façade window glazing is progressing with 2,840 of 13,734 panels completed, which is more than 20% of the total. Fit out is underway in approximately 1,121 rooms – including walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services.

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Meraas has announced the launch of City Walk Crestlane, a premium residential development with panoramic water views of Dubai’s urban landscape. The initial launch comprises two mid-rise towers, City Walk Crestlane 2 and 3, offering 394 residences, against a backdrop of water features, pools and lagoons.

With exclusive terraces, premium apartments and duplexes featuring double height living spaces, City Walk Crestlane offers a diverse range of living options. Each unit is crafted with details in kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, ensuring comfort and style across, said the developer.

Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate stated: “City Walk Crestlane marks a significant milestone in Dubai’s luxury real estate sector, introducing waterfront living at the heart of the city. This development represents a harmonious blend of modern design, connectivity and community, responding to the growing demand for premium urban residences while setting new standards in sustainable community design.”

The City Walk Crestlane masterplan comprises a mix of mid-rise and high-rise plots, parks and range of amenities like yoga studio, pool, play padel or tennis and water features. The new residential development will also feature a fitness centre and wellness centre, multiple swimming pools, playgrounds and outdoor sports facilities, jogging and cycling tracks, creating an atmosphere of movement and connection with nature.

The architecture of City Walk Crestlane emphasises human-centric design, integrating with the existing City Walk streetscape, with a metropolitan touch. The development’s thoughtful layout ensures a perfect flow between indoor elegance and outdoor vitality, enhancing the overall community experience.

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Meydan awarded a contract worth over US $270mn to Ginco General Contracting for the construction of Phase Two of District One West in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City. This development presents the next stage in gated communities in Dubai, offering an exclusive lifestyle on the waterfront of Crystal Lagoon.

Ginco General Contracting, a construction company specialised in delivering large-scale luxury projects, has been awarded the contract for the construction of four-, five- and six-bedroom luxury villas as well as associated infrastructure and other works. The project is scheduled for completion in Q1 2028.

Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate said, “District One West Phase Two at Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City reflects our unwavering commitment to redefining luxury living within this prestigious master development. With world-class designs and exceptional quality, District One West Phase Two will set new benchmarks in premium residential experiences for our growing base of luxury homebuyers.”

Masood Gheyath, Managing Director of Ginco General Contracting said, “The construction and real estate sectors are a key driver of economic growth in the UAE, and we are proud to collaborate with Dubai Holding Real Estate on this prestigious project. District One West Phase Two will stand out as a model for excellence, reflecting our shared vision for delivering innovative and high-quality developments.”

District One West Phase Two offers 229 villas in a gated community, surrounded by parks and gardens overlooking the Crystal Lagoon, the development offers amenities for recreation and leisure, including a clubhouse, outdoor fitness centre, sports court, cycling and pedestrian trails, children’s play areas, shaded picnic areas and a boardwalk.

District One West Phase Two is located four kilometre from Downtown Dubai, minutes away from Meydan Racecourse and 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport, with its nature-focused planning allowing residents to enjoy being away from the bustle of the city. With 60% of the neighbourhood covered in green parks and community gardens, including over 8km of cycling and running tracks as well as 14k of shoreline living.

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Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), together with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), RAK Municipality, and RAK Public Services Department, have unveiled a series of ambitious sustainability initiatives.

These initiatives support the resolutions of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, aimed at enhancing sustainability across the emirate. The announced investments include US $126.6mn for water network rehabilitation in the Northern Emirates, specifically allocated for network replacement in Ras Al Khaimah.

Additionally, more than $48.6mn has already been invested in the emirate’s current smart metering project. Also, provisions have been made to install 120 electric vehicle chargers in Ras Al Khaimah over the next five years, highlighting the commitment to expanding the electric vehicle infrastructure.

The initiatives are part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce electricity, water, and transportation fuel consumption by setting significant reduction targets and adopting best practices in green procurement. Notably, the resolutions call for a 30% reduction in electricity consumption and a 20% reduction in both water and fuel usage by 2030.

In collaboration with its partners, EtihadWE has successfully completed the replacement of approximately 42km of ageing pipelines with newer, more efficient technology, including ‘SmartBall’ and acoustic inspection tools.

To enhance energy efficiency within Ras Al Khaimah, more than 213,000 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters for electricity and water have already been installed, enabling more accurate monitoring and management. This infrastructure is complemented by smart technologies designed to help consumers optimise resource use, aligning with the broader goals of sustainability and technological advancement in the emirate.

Eng Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, emphasised: “The directives from His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi reflect our shared commitment to a sustainable future. These initiatives not only support Ras Al Khaimah’s environmental goals but also foster economic growth, enhance community well-being, and position the emirate as a leader in sustainable development.”

“The support and collaboration with MoEI, alongside RAK Municipality, RAK Public Services Department, and other entities in Ras Al Khaimah, are pivotal in realising the vision set forth by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi and the broader national sustainability objectives. We are proud to be part of such a dynamic alliance, which not only aims to achieve specific sustainability targets but also strengthens the fabric of our community.”

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Addleshaw Goddard has appointed Paul Prescott as a Partner in its Construction and Infrastructure practice, underscoring firm’s commitment to growing its expertise and footprint in the Middle East.

With more than 20 years of legal experience, including over twelve years in the Middle East, Prescott’s expertise spans the full lifecycle of construction projects, from non-contentious procurement strategies and live project counsel to the resolution of disputes through arbitration and mediation.

Prescott has advised projects such as Wembley Stadium in the UK, the London 2012 Olympics, Expo 2020 Dubai, and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He is also proficient in managing construction transactions involving a variety of contractual frameworks, including the FIDIC suite, NEC, and bespoke EPC agreements. His reputation is reflected in his Chambers Global rankings for Projects & Energy and his inclusion in the WWL Construction Guide 2024, said a statement.

Robin Hickman, Head of Middle East at Addleshaw Goddard said, “Paul’s arrival represents a significant enhancement to our Construction and Infrastructure practice in the Middle East. He brings invaluable expertise across complex, high-value projects and an in-depth understanding of the region’s construction landscape. His strategic approach to both contentious and non-contentious matters aligns perfectly with our mission to provide clients with end-to-end support across their most critical projects. We are thrilled to welcome Paul to the team and are confident he will play a pivotal role in driving our regional and sectoral growth.”

Commenting on his appointment, Prescott stated, “I am delighted to join Addleshaw Goddard, a firm renowned for its ambition and innovation in the legal space. The Middle East is at the forefront of groundbreaking projects, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s growth by delivering exceptional service and value to our clients in the construction and infrastructure sectors.”

Paul’s appointment comes at a time when Addleshaw Goddard is reinforcing its market position in key practice areas, reflecting its commitment to meet the evolving needs of clients in the Middle East and beyond, the statement concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News