Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) has announced a ground-breaking collaboration with Marriott International, signalling a pivotal move for three of Dubai’s major hotels.

This strategic alliance marks the commencement of a high-profile rebranding initiative, solidifying ADNH’s commitment to delivering leading-edge hospitality experiences in the region.

Under this enhanced partnership, effective 1^st January, 2024, ADNH will operate these properties under the banners of JW Marriott and Autograph Collection Hotels.

The hotels, including JW Marriott Hotel Marina (formerly known as The Address Dubai Marina), Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection (formerly known as Vida Downtown Dubai Hotel), and The Heritage Hotel, Autograph Collection (formerly known as Manzil Downtown Dubai Hotel), are set to undergo this brand transformation.

CEO Khalid Anib said: “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Marriott International through this deal, which is in line with our overall strategy and the evolving dynamics of our business model. The JW Marriott and Autograph Collection brands are exciting additions to our diverse and prestigious portfolio.

“This strategic collaboration seeks to elevate Dubai’s hospitality sector by harnessing the distinctive strengths of ADNH and Marriott International. The initiative aligns with the vision to offer guests unparalleled luxury experiences, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a global travel destination.”

Marriott International Chief Development Officer (Europe, Middle East & Africa) Jerome Briet said: “The UAE is our largest market in the Middle East and our success in this market stems from our collaborations with world-class owners and developers such as Abu Dhabi National Hotels. These deals reflect our conversion friendly strategy, and our teams are committed to efficiently transitioning the three properties. With the addition of these hotels, we are excited to further expand our footprint in Dubai where we currently have a portfolio of more than 50 properties.”

Briet pointed out that as part of the rebranding process, each property will undergo carefully planned enhancements to deliver tailored and world-class experiences.

This approach ensures that guests continue to enjoy a seamless and elevated stay while reinforcing the commitment to delivering on-brand experiences and maintaining the highest standards of luxury.

The post ADNH and Marriott join forces for major hotel rebranding appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) has partnered with Affordable Housing Company, a unit of Saudi developer Bin Saedan, for the launch of two key projects – one residential, one commercial – in Saudi Arabia.

Spread over a 50,000 sq. m. area, these projects are aimed at strengthening SPARK’s offering for those looking to set up their companies in the kingdom, as well as enhancing the quality of life for the client companies’ employees.

SPARK and Affordable House Company jointly broke ground on the residential apartment complex, which will feature 459 fully furnished apartments with a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts.

These apartments are intended for long stays and incorporate the latest smart technologies – supporting Spark’s offering to tenants and clients establishing their business in Saudi Arabia.

The total land size for the project stands at close to 30,000 sq. m. and represents an investment of $50m. The development will be constructed in phases – with the first planned for completion by Q4 2025.

This marks the third investment between SPARK and Bin Saedan Group, a leading real estate developer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with over 80 years of experience.

The Saudi energy park additionally signed a lease agreement with the Affordable House Company to develop multipurpose commercial offices which will include over 15,000 sq. m. of leasable area.

The commercial offices will feature best-in-class facilities including multifunctional offices, well-equipped receptions, gyms, and light-eating restaurants – powered partially by green energy and using the latest smart technologies.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, SPARK CEO, Engineer Saif Al Qahtani said: “We are excited to significantly expand our commercial and residential offering through our partnership with Bin Saedan Group and Affordable Housing Company. The groundbreaking and lease agreement will enable the provision of a truly world-class offering to tenants and investors in line with our commitment to develop a dynamic ecosystem seamlessly integrating industrial zones, residential, commercial and community spaces.”

The post Residential project announced for King Salman Energy Park appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

The post Sustainability & Modular Construction appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) is implementing projects across the sultanate worth RO183m ($474m), under its strategic scheme ‘Rabt’. These include the construction of five grid stations as well as laying a network of 400-kilovolt overhead power lines.

This comes as part of OETC’s commitment to enhancing the reliability and security of the electricity network and supply across various regions of the sultanate.

Phase One of the project includes construction of the key grid stations: Nahida grid station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts; Suwayhat grid station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts; Barik grid station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts; Duqm grid station with a voltage of 400/132/33 kilovolts; and Mahout grid station with a voltage of 400/33 kilovolts.

Additionally, these projects are connected through a matrix of 400kV overhead lines, covering a total of 670 km. Commenced in October 2023, the total cost of the first phase of this project has exceeded 183 million Omani rials.

The official inauguration of Rabt Phase One was held under the patronage of Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said at a key ceremony held in Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OETC).

OETC Chairman, Ahmed Amer Al Mahrzi lauded the significance of the project and its pivotal role in achieving progress and growth in the electricity sector specifically, and in all vital sectors in Oman as a whole. He commented: “The Rabt project is one of the national strategic projects that we rely on significantly. The project aims to enhance the efficiency, integration, and security of the national electricity transmission network, in addition to reducing harmful carbon emissions.

“It is expected that the reduction in carbon emissions will exceed 474,000 tonnes annually after closing 14 diesel-powered stations. This contributes to saving over 175 million litres of diesel annually and reducing costs by more than RO64 million.”

The post Rabt power transmission project under way in Oman appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

UAE-based Azizi Developments has announced that Pearl, its recently launched development in Dubai’s Al Furjan, is now 80% complete and is fully scheduled for completion by the end of Q1 2024.

Giving a project update, Azizi said Pearl’s structure, blockwork, and internal plaster were now fully complete, while the MEP and tiling work stood at 75% completion.

The HVAC was moving at a steady pace and is 85% project-ready, while the façade and elevator installations fittings had reached 83% and 94%, respectively. The final finishes are now at 74%.

On the ongoing project, Azizi CEO, Farhad Azizi said: “The outstandingly swift progress we’re making at Pearl excites us all at Azizi Developments, with us being well positioned for its scheduled completion by the end of Q1 2024. Pearl’s strategic location, impeccable architectural design, flawless construction and extensive array of premium amenities within and surrounding the building, will all significantly elevate the living experiences of those who will make these stunning residences their new home.”

Strategically located, Pearl is just one minute away from Mohammed bin Zayed Road and also only one minute from Al Furjan metro station.

The post Azizi’s Pearl on schedule for Q1 2024 completion appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

The post Truck&Fleet ME – December 2023 appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Remaining profitable in an evolving fleet sector will be the main subject of the upcoming Truck and Fleet Conference – Transforming Logistics, Mobility, and Transportation in a Rapidly Changing Landscape.

The date of the event has been set as the 5th March, 2024, and the flagship event will once again bring together fleet operators, distributors and manufacturers to discuss meeting the challenges of rising costs and the technology in the market to keep fleets profitable.

The fifth Truck and Fleet Conference is a vital opportunity to bring together the B2B and B2C professional fleets and the commercial vehicles automotive channel to spotlight the region’s progressive strides in redefining the very essence of transportation, logistics, and mobility.

With crucial heavy transport legislation, digitalisation and the investment in local manufacturing and assembly changing the business rules of fleet ownership, this conference is uniquely positioned to highlight the advancements and challenges of a sector that’s moving at the speed of innovation.

With an increasing global focus on sustainable practices, digital transformations, and a renewed vision of urban mobility, the Middle East stands poised to leverage its strategic position and robust infrastructure. This conference promises to be a rich tapestry of discussions, showcasing real-world solutions, and envisioning the future of logistics and mobility in a region that harmoniously melds the past with the present.

“Coming out of the COP28, we will look at how the region can achieve its green ambitions while embracing exciting new technologies to make our crews safer and more efficient,” said head of content Truck and Fleet Middle East Stephen White.

“But this is also becoming a much more connected market in more ways than one. And we will address the local and regional opportunities facing the sector.”

The Truck and Fleet series of conferences are unique in providing a platform for stakeholders, innovators, and disruptors to engage in dialogue, foster new partnerships, and navigate the dynamic terrains of logistics and mobility in the Middle East.

Taking place at the Habtoor Polo Resort in Dubai, delegates and speakers will look at the main challenges and opportunities facing the professional fleet and transportation sectors.

The post Date announced for Truck and Fleet Conference 2024 appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

The 2024 Energy & Sustainability Summit will focus on how the construction and energy sectors can significantly step-up decarbonisation efforts post COP28, the Big Project Middle East (BPME) editorial team has announced. The third edition of the highly anticipated summit will take place on 7 March in Dubai – the venue will be confirmed in January 2024.

The day long event will feature a keynote address, several panel discussions and presentations and will discuss sustainable materials, the responsible disposal of end of life assets and infrastructure, tackling construction and demolition waste, leveraging locally sourced materials, looking beyond solar to further decarbonise energy and other infrastructure, the importance of waste-to-energy facilities, developing vertical farms to enhance food security, while also raising awareness about greenwashing and moving beyond platitudes to actions that have a tangible impact.

The summit will bring together professionals from government, operators, consultants, contractors, specialists and suppliers, to discuss the aforementioned topics, in line with the regional and global focus on decarbonisation to prevent catastrophic climate change. Registration is complementary but mandatory for industry professionals.

“COP28 played host to a number of fantastic discussions and saw a new wave of international pledges, but the fact is there’s still plenty of work to be done to limit temperature increase to 1.5-degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. With this in mind, the BPME editorial team is hard at work finalising the agenda with a goal to shine a light on several key issues that warrant attention, with the ultimate goal to provoke strong industry collaboration and positive action,” said Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East.

To discuss participating at the event as a speaker, contact conference producer Jason Saundalkar on Jason.s@cpitrademedia.com. Sponsorship inquires can be addressed to Raz Islam on raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com.

To learn more about the 2024 Energy & Sustainability Summit, click here.

The post 2024 Energy & Sustainability Summit to take place on 7 March appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Plans have been announced to construct a bulk liquid green energy terminal by the Port of Immingham in the United Kingdom.

According to a report, a tender has been launched by UK ports operator Associated British Ports (ABP),which calls for a contractor or consortium to develop the new facility to support the import of green ammonia from Saudi Arabia.

The $140mn contract anticipates 30 months of construction, and ABP has set the deadline for bids for 12 January 2024.

The ABP said that the Saudi government is supporting the construction of Oxagon, a $8.3bn facility within the region of NEOM, which will combine solar and wind energy to produce up to 600t of carbon-free hydrogen per day by the end of 2026.

In addition, the new terminal will support the import of CO2, with the aim of aiding the decarbonisation of the transport sector.

The post Lincolnshire’s Port of Immingham to build green energy terminal appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US $2.1bn in financing for a new bridge project. The 32.15km Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) will connect the Bataan and Cavite provinces across Manila Bay in the Philippines.

Once complete, the BCIB will ease traffic in Metro Manila, allowing for better movement of people and goods, increasing economic productivity in Luzon, a report said.

The BCIB is said to be one of the government’s flagship infrastructure projects, and will complete the transport loop around Manila Bay and is said to better link Metro Manila to central Luzon and nearby Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces.

“The BCIB represents the latest installment in ADB’s broader agenda of support towards strengthening urban and regional transport networks in and around greater Manila. This includes the South Commuter Railway, Malolos Clark Railway, and two other projects currently being prepared for financing – the Metro Manila Rail Transit Line 4 and the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network,” said Scott Morris, Vice President for East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific at the Asian Development Bank.

The project entails the construction of one of the world’s longest marine bridges, including two cable-stayed bridges, 24km of marine viaducts, and a total of 8km of approach road in Bataan and Cavite provinces, according to ADB.

The BCIB project is expected to cut travel time between Bataan and Cavite from five hours to 1.5 hours, and from four hours to two hours between Bataan and Metro Manila.

The Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility, financed by ADB, will provide support for the preparation of the BCIB project, including environmental and social safeguards due diligence, and detailed engineering design, the report concluded.

The post US $2.1bn in financing approved for Philippines bridge project appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News