Kuwait’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) has appointed Egis to provide project management consultancy for the Al Mutlaa City Development (MCD) mixed-use megaproject.

As per the agreement, Egis will provide program-level service management, construction logistics & interface management, cost management, and digital program management system & project management information system (PMIS) for the MCD project.

MCD is said to be a housing city located 38.3km North West of the Kuwait Metropolitan area. It occupies an area of approximately 104sqkm and is expected to house up to 400,000 people. The development will feature residential, social, commercial and light industrial areas.

“PAHW is committed to delivering suitable and sustainable housing for Kuwaitis, in a social
environment adapted for all individuals of Kuwaiti society, including social, cultural, entertainment,
commercial and professional activity. The city shall be supported by the private sector through
investment in the local market and reach a sustainable business model with an elaborated mix of
residential,” said Nasser Khreibat, General Manager from PAHW.

In early December 2022, Egis said it had agreed to acquire U+A to enhance architecture and design capabilities and, in early January 2023, Kuwait’s PART issued consultancy services tenders for Phase One of the railway network.

As one of the important priorities for the government and one of the core activities of Kuwait’s
2035 Vision, Kuwait is building large housing infrastructure projects across the country, the statement from Egis noted.

Khaled ElMir, Country Managing Director of Egis in Kuwait remarked, “We are honoured to be selected by PAHW to provide project management consultancy for the Al Mutlaa City Development megaproject. With our extensive experience in managing large-scale infrastructure projects, we are confident that we can deliver high-quality services to support the successful delivery of this important project.”

Egis has been operating in Kuwait for almost 40 years and has worked on multiple projects across
the country, increasing their presence across all sectors. Some of the key projects include Kuwait
University, Kuwait Scientific Center, Al Ghouse Highway, National Bank of Kuwait, the statement concluded.

In early March 2023, Egis said it would acquire Saudi-based Omrania.

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Source: ME Construction News

Our Middle Eastern region is at a tipping point, according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) 6^th Synthesis report. The latest data shows that despite global action to reduce emissions and national pledges to achieve Net Zero, overall climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions are growing faster than mitigation and reduction efforts.

What this means for our region is after 2041 at the current emissions trajectory we could be seeing more than 100 days every year where temperatures are above 40 degrees, leading to a major increase in heat-related mortality and heat-related illness, particularly for people over 65. That is only 18 years away – which means many of us currently making decisions about the design, delivery and operation of our buildings will be entering the age group where climate change is more likely to harm our personal health.

The immediacy of the threat can be seen in the IPCC’s clear calls in this report for greater investment in adaptation as well as scaling up for financial flows to mitigation. The built environment in this sense lies at the heart of how we both slow the escalation of the climate crisis and survive the impacts we are already beginning to experience.

We are perhaps fortunate in the Gulf area that designing for heat is part of our proud and distinctive architectural tradition. What we need to consider is the vulnerability created in recent decades through adoption of more energy-reliant approaches that are based on the extensive use of air conditioning to ensure comfort and wellbeing.

Aden NASA sea level data

In the hotter future, where the region is also likely to experience more frequent periods of zero rainfall for 100 days or more at a time, being entirely dependent on mechanical cooling may not be the solution we need. Meeting the energy demand through renewable energy would mean significant investment and also institutional drive for action being applied immediately to ensure sufficient capacity comes online.

We also need to consider the cost of energy for households and businesses, given the IPCC data also shows there are likely to be major disruptions to our food supply, and World Bank data shows the cost of key agricultural commodities including sheep, goat and grains is likely to increase markedly.

The good news is the tools, knowledge and expertise we need to take up this challenge are already within our grasp. For example, we can retrofit buildings to better manage energy and provide real-time responsiveness to conditions through smart systems. We can improve insulation, reduce building air leakage and invest in smart renewable energy microgrids and demand-response platforms.

We can also retrofit buildings for mixed-mode ventilation systems that combine energy-efficient, smart cooling with age-old practices such as the stack effect, night purging, strategic shading and the use of water features and urban greening for microclimate cooling benefits.

CMIP6 – Days with TX above 40ºC (TX40) days – Medium Term (2041-2060) SSP5-8.5 – Annual (27 models)

Our wisest course of action is to build on the IPCC call to action and scale up efforts to improve our existing buildings and communities, including the infrastructure that supports them, to build resilience, support adaptation and simultaneously reduce emissions.

Read more:

• New date confirmed for Energy & Sustainability Summit – 24 May
• JLL’s Louise Collins’ COP27 takeaways and thoughts
• Three considerations to help businesses create practical sustainability strategies

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Source: ME Construction News

The second edition of Big Project Middle East’s (BPME) Energy & Sustainability Summit (E&S Summit) has a new date; the magazine’s editorial team has confirmed the event will now take place on 24 May in Dubai. A venue will be confirmed in the coming weeks, the editorial team stated.

The summit will bring together professionals from government, operators, consultants, contractors and suppliers, to discuss a variety of key regional topics, in line with a region wide drive towards sustainable development and clean energy. Registration is complementary but mandatory for industry professionals.

According to the editorial team, the event’s agenda will include several panel discussions and presentations, each tying into topics such as: COP28 expectations and opportunities; the future of energy, green hydrogen and energy transition in the GCC; Net Zero developments and performance focused approaches to benchmarking buildings; smart and sustainable city mobility and more. Keep up with updates to event’s agenda by clicking here.

“The build up for the E&S Summit is well underway, with a packed agenda that we feel ties well into regional initiatives, opportunities and challenges including the Year of Sustainability, COP28, GCC countries’ Net Zero agendas and strategies, and sustainable mobility. The topics have struck a chord with many individuals and organisations – I’m pleased to have already secured the participation of several prominent personalities, and can’t wait to see discussions kick off on the day,” said Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content of Big Project Middle East.

He added, “The agenda will be added to the website in the coming days and we encourage you to check in regularly to discover the latest updates with regards to panel and presentation content, and speakers.”

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 Raed Kaedbey (raed.kaedbey@cpitrademedia.com) and Madeleine Martin (madeleine.martin@cpitrademedia.com).

The 2023 edition of the E&S Summit is supported by:

Gold Sponsor: KEO International Consultants
Silver Sponsor: AECOM
Bronze Sponsor: ThinkProject
Supporting Partner: Egis Group and JLL

The first edition of the E&S Summit saw over 190 people in attendance, as well as the participation of experts from regional developers, consultants, contractors, industry bodies and academia.

To learn more about the 2023 Energy & Sustainability Summit, click here.

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Source: ME Construction News

Hill International has secured a major contract from Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) to provide project management consultation (PMC) services for its Dahiyat Al Fursan project, located on the east side of Riyadh Airport.

Work is currently underway on Al Fursan, which will be developed over an area of 35m sqm. Once complete, it will boast 50,000 units of suburban homes, apartments, townhouses, educational facilities, commercial buildings, and related infrastructure, along with dedicated green spaces.

Dahiyat Al-Fursan is said to be among the largest of the residential developments currently being developed by NHC and is specifically targeted to meet the needs of today’s Saudi families.

As project manager for the development, Hill will provide PMC services to the NHC, managing all of Al-Fursan’s first and second sub-developments and infrastructure packages.

In early July 2021, Hill was awarded the PM contract for infrastructure at Madinah Central Area development and, in early August 2022, the firm was appointed to provide PMC services for two Aldar projects.

This includes programme management, cost estimating, schedule management, risk management, contract management, change management, and all related PMC services to help ensure the NHC’s vision for Al-Fursan is realised as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, Hill stated.

On the contract win, Hill Senior Vice President Dr Adel Jemah said. “Working with NHC to realise Al Fursan is both an opportunity and an honour for our KSA team. The NHC’s goals are clear: to help Saudi families own their own homes in desirable, welcoming locations with the services and infrastructure they expect.”

Hill has a long history of helping Saudi clients achieve ambitious programmes and projects, and this would be a proud addition to its portfolio, he concluded.

In mid December 2022, SJIF awards Hill a $400mn contract for a university hospital project in Jordan.

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Source: ME Construction News

Saudi-based real estate developer Dar Al Arkan has announced the successful completion of one of the world’s tallest 3D printed buildings, a three-storey ‘smart home’ villa in Riyadh. The 9.9m tall building was 3D printed in just 26 days using a 3D construction printer from Denmark-based Cobod International.

The villa is said to be fully compliant with the relevant national building codes, making it a good example of how technology and innovation can work hand in hand with safety and regulation, said  a statement from the developer. Low-cost local materials were used to create the 3D printable concrete, which was the primary construction material for the walls of the 330sqm building, it added.

Wael Al Hagan, the 3D construction printing Project Manager from Dar Al Arkan said, “Our efforts are focused on developing the Kingdom’s real estate sector by integrating the latest trends and technologies, drawn from global best practices to enhance our industry locally and deliver on the objectives of vision 2030. The introduction of 3D construction printing enables us to focus on greater flexibility of design, strengthen productivity and achieve higher cost efficiency.”

The villa features ‘smart’ applications that control various functions of the house, including doors, locks, AC and lighting, and it also has nine solar panels on the roof, which generate enough electricity to power many of the villa’s integrated systems. Also, heat-reflecting nano-technology was used for painting the exterior walls, which makes the villa up to 40% more heat-resistant than traditional buildings. In addition, the exterior of the house is four times stronger that any built by regular construction methods, the developer explained.

In late November 2022, GUtech 3D said it printed three structures in eight days in Oman and, in late January 2023, it was announced that the world’s first 3D-printed mosque would be developed in Dubai.

Wael Al Hagan explained that, “The level of design flexibility, made possible using cutting-edge 3D printing technology, allows for easy and quick customisation of finishes and styles, enabling Dar Al Arkan to offer its future clients a truly personalized experience. With this feature, the company aims to create homes that are tailored to the unique tastes and preferences of their clients, setting a new standard in the real estate industry.”

On the use of new technology, Fahad Al Nasar, the Head of Innovation for The Ministry of Housing in Saudi Arabia remarked, “We are rapidly developing in the construction sector through our building technology initiative and implementing new measures to enable 70% of the Saudi population to have their own homes by 2030. Our strategy is to revolutionise the way people think about home through smart, futuristic methods.”

Dar Al Arkan said the project was executed using local materials and deployed the ‘D.fab’ solution developed by Cemex and Cobod. This solution allows its customers to use 99% local and inexpensive materials, while relying on only 1% sourced centrally.

On the completed 3D printed villa, Henrik Lund-Nielsen, the Founder & General Manager of Cobod concluded, “The three-storey villa from Dar Al Arakan is really representing state of art of the 3D construction printing industry both in terms of size and quality and in many other ways. The villa demonstrates the capabilities of the technology regarding scale, speed, use of cheap local materials and innovative solutions. Our technology delivers the fastest construction method in the world, and when this is combined with low-cost locally made concrete, a winning formula has been established.”

In early March 2023, Abu Dhabi University unveiled a 3D Concrete Printing Research Lab.

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Source: ME Construction News

Omnium International says it has experienced impressive growth in its project management (PM) service line. According to the firm, the service optimises its 50 + years of experience and business systems to deliver a ‘genuinely differentiated service that is uniquely client-centric, commercially oriented and proactive’.

The service is said to complement its multi-disciplinary expertise in cost, contract management and claims, and dispute resolution services. The firm’s PM team is led by Branch Directors Murat Umultan and Matthew Campbell, who boast over 30 years of experience in the region working with major developers, stock-listed funds, and joint ventures including Emaar, Dubai Holding and Nshama, the firm noted.

“Project Management consultancy has been a natural evolution of our services, experience, and ability, and provides excellent direction for our clients and teams. Benefiting from our award-winning business systems, rich project experience across numerous iconic projects, and pioneering schemes both within the UAE and internationally, our PM services are backed by our award-winning team’s commitment to quality. We pride ourselves on establishing trusted working partnerships, lasting throughout a project’s lifecycle and beyond, which support effective face-to-face collaboration, delivering positive outcomes for our clients as they seek to build lasting legacies through their unique projects,” said Omnium’s Managing Director Nicholas Harris.

Explaining the service, the firm said the journey begins with the client’s vision being fully understood by its PM team, which encompasses client requirements, reasoning for the development and the preferred approach. This understanding is then combined with Omnium’s delivery systems, which recognise that projects are commercial endeavours where robust cost, time and quality controls are vital to success, the firm explained.

In late June 2022, Fernando Freitas revealed he’s keen to continue expanding Omnium’s global reach and spearhead its move to decarbonisation services in the long term and, in early December 2022, the firm won two awards at the 2022 Middle East Consultant Awards.

Nicholas Harris, Managing Director, Omnium International

Omnium stated that it is eager to maintain its strong reputation in the marketplace and appreciates that it is earned and maintained on a daily basis. It also said its teams share a keen grasp for the client’s time constraints and the commercial impacts they can cause, providing a decisive, strongly engaged and proactive approach in all aspects of the services we deliver.

Matthew Campbell, Branch Director, Omnium International Project Management commented, “Our goal is to maintain the current growth rate of our PM services, while remaining fully committed to delivering our existing portfolio of other services. Omnium is renowned for providing cost and contract management as well as claims and dispute resolution services, but we are much more than that, and our clients have recognised our ability to provide specialist PM services too. The feedback we have received on how we are delivering those services is a real testament to our teams. While this is all good news that builds further momentum, we are acutely aware that we must safeguard our reputation and the relationships we have with all our clients, so our growth plans are both considered and strategic, taking the right opportunities and selecting the right people for our growing Project Management team.”

He concluded, “In the short term, this means we’re focusing on our core services in our core markets in the GCC, the UK and Europe, but longer term there is an appetite for further service diversification and further expansion internationally.”

In early February 2023, Nicky Dobreanu said that people, clients, business diversification and sustainability are key focuses for him at Omnium.

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Source: ME Construction News

Aramco and joint venture (JV) partners Norinco Group and Panjin Xincheng Industrial Group plan to start construction of a major integrated refinery and petrochemical complex in northeast China, set to be the largest in the region.

Huajin Aramco Petrochemical Company (Hapco), a JV between Aramco (30%), Norinco Group (51%) and Panjin Xincheng Industrial Group (19%), is developing the complex that will combine a 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery and a petrochemical plant with annual production capacity of 1.65m metric tons of ethylene and two million metric tons of paraxylene.

Construction is due to start in the second quarter of 2023 after the project secured administrative approvals, with completion scheduled for 2026.

Aramco said it will supply up to 210,000bpd of crude oil feedstock to the complex, which is being built in the city of Panjin, in China’s Liaoning province.

In mid July 2021, Petrofac said it achieved PTOF for KNPC’s Mina Abdullah Refinery Package 3 and, in late September 2022, QatarEnergy and GE inked a deal to step up carbon capture in the energy sector.

Mohammed Y Al Qahtani, Aramco Executive Vice President of Downstream said, “This important project will support China’s growing demand across fuel and chemical products. It also represents a major milestone in our ongoing downstream expansion strategy in China and the wider region, which is an increasingly significant driver of global petrochemical demand.”

Zou Wenchao, Norinco Group Deputy General Manager added, “This large-scale refinery and petrochemical complex is a key project of Norinco Group to implement and realise the joint development of the high-quality Belt and Road initiative, promote industrial restructuring, and enhance the oil and petrochemical sector to become stronger, better and larger. It will play an important role in deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia, and achieving common development and prosperity.”

Jia Fei, Panjin Xincheng Chairman of the Board concluded, “The project is of great significance for Panjin to promote increasing chemicals and specialty products, strengthening integration of the refining and chemical industry. It is a symbolic project for Panjin as it seeks to accelerate the development of an important national petrochemical and fine chemical industry base.”

In early February 2023, Alfanar and Daewoo E&C to collaborate on projects in Saudi Arabia.

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Source: ME Construction News

Upscale hospitality developer and operator The First Group has opened the doors of its Soluna Beach Club, which is billed as a contemporary Mediterranean-inspired waterfront experience, in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Located at the Balqis Residences in Palm Jumeirah, Soluna Beach Club is an exclusive beach club offering premium experiences to guests of The First Group’s portfolio of owned and operated brands, including The First Collection Business Bay and The First Collection Jumeirah Village Circle, Wyndham Dubai Marina, Tryp By Wyndham, Grand Heights, and Citadines Metro Central.

Soluna features a range of highly recommended homegrown multi-cuisine options, including artisanal pastries at Risen Café and Artisanal Bakery, and contemporary dining at Ènas, with its fusion of Greek and Eastern Mediterranean cuisines.

In late March 2023, Deyaar launched a $300mn waterfront residential project in Dubai Maritime City and, ARCO Turnkey Solutions was appointed as the lead contractor for J1 Beach.

Rob Burns, CEO of The First Group said, “Our new beach club Soluna is another exciting addition to Dubai’s allure as a top family-friendly destination and builds on our commitment to creating extraordinary moments for our guests.”

An established player in the UAE real estate industry, The First Group has been expanding its portfolio to cater to the growing demand for unique lifestyle experiences in the city.

With expertise in international hotel investments, property asset management, global investor services, and hospitality and leisure brands, the company says it offers a distinct and innovative approach to development and specialised services. Its focus on Dubai’s fast-growing hotel industry has led to substantial investment opportunities for the firm’s international client-base, which spans 146 countries.

In late March 2023, ALEC and Bauer International were announced as key contractors for the Wynn Resort project in Ras Al Khaimah.

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Source: ME Construction News

The second edition of the Construction Machinery Middle East Awards (CMME Awards) includes an expanded list of contractor awards with the event recognising end-user excellence in an array of sectors, the magazine’s editorial team has revealed. The gala dinner event will take place live in Dubai on 8 June 2023.

The nomination process is now open to users of machinery and equipment across sectors such as construction, infrastructure, FM, as well as members of the logistics chain in the market. Read about the categories and nominate by clicking here.

A judging panel will soon be appointed to oversee the shortlisting process of the contractor categories ahead of the event, confirmed Stephen White, Head of Content at Construction Machinery Middle East.

As before, the CMME Awards will also celebrate manufacturers, suppliers and dealers whose machinery plays a key role on-site in the projects at the heart of the GCC economy.

The 2022 CMME Awards Winners all on stage

Members of the construction and industrial communities in the region will be invited to decide the best equipment and players in the market through a special online vote which will begin on 10 April 2023 and conclude on 10 May 2023.

Companies keen to take part in the 2023 CMME Awards can upload their nominations now, confirmed White. Click here to nominate.

“This year we have simplified the whole process of uploading product information on the site to make sure we get the best of the best putting themselves forward for the voting process,” White stated.

He concluded, “Last year we registered thousands of votes from across the region, and, by expanding the contractors awards alongside them,  we will be able to see an array of winners that represent the very best practice and technology the region has to offer.”

Click here to read more about the 2023 CMME Awards.

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Source: ME Construction News

Electric marine vessel maker Crown Electric Ships and Boats plans to establish an all-electric boat and yacht manufacturing plant in the UAE.

The decision is said to reflect the economic attractiveness of zero-emission vessels, which are set to play a role in the re-thinking of maritime transport. Conventional, diesel-powered shipping at present remains the highest polluter in the transport sector.

“Electric boat and yacht building will give a significant boost to the Middle East economy as a manufacturing hub,” said Sonu Jayan, Chairman of Crown Electric Ships and Boats.

In early January 2023, Xylem opened a new Dubai facility and, in early February 2023, a Saudi-Korean JV broke ground on a $240mn stainless steel pipes production facility in Saudi Arabia.

The announcement follows news of the company recently sealing a deal with Kuwait’s Badr Sultan Group to develop and supply a fleet of zero-emission electric yachts. The deal, valued at an initial order of US $10mn, is for developing a fleet of electric vessels ranging from 7.3m electric cabin cruisers to 23.9m electric catamarans specifically designed for the Middle East market.

Lekshmi Salaja, Vice Chairperson of Crown Electric Ships and Boats, said that the contract will have a significant impact on sustainability and net zero initiatives in the Middle East region.

“A mid-sized cruise ship’s emissions are equal to one million cars, and Crown has been developing electric boats from 7m up to 23m – and we are now moving towards the development of sustainable super yachts,” Salaja noted.

In early March 2023, SLG Group said it would build a $55mn facility in Dubai Industrial City.

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Source: ME Construction News