Voting for the Truck and Fleet Awards 2023 has now opened across a wide range of categories, including the coveted Truck of the Year Award, the magazine’s editorial team has revealed.

To pick your favourite truck, van or service, you simply have to visit the award’s website before 13 January. Everyone that votes will also be able to participate in a special draw to win a prize – at the 2022 awards the winner picked up a much-coveted Apple iWatch.

The winner of the draw and the awards will be announced at the gala Truck and Fleet Awards 2023 ceremony at the Ritz Carlton JBR on the 25 January. The awards celebrate the fleets and vehicles which play a key role in the operations, logistics and projects at the heart of the GCC economy. The awards stands as a unique entity in the region to recognise the collaboration between manufacturers, distributors and fleets to create solutions that tackle the harshest transportation, logistics and mobility environment in the world.

The product awards vote includes not just vehicles and solutions launched in the past year, but any adaptation, customisation and revision making a difference to fleets where it matters – out on the road.

Over the next few weeks, Truck and Fleet Middle East will be profiling potential winners and nominees as the competition heats up. Fleet companies wishing to be considered for the nominations for the Truck and Fleet Middle East Awards 2023 have until 13 January to submit their entries. On the other hand, fleet companies keen to take part in any of the categories can continue to go to the award’s site to place themselves up for nomination.

“Fleets in the region have endured and even flourished over the past couple of years, and this is their opportunity to get the recognition they deserve,” explained Stephen White, Head of content, Truck and Fleet Middle East.

“Launching the voting for vehicles, products and services that they are using is the start of an exciting month for us. We know that each vehicle and solution can be unique for every fleet buyer, and we know that requires the very best in customer service, innovation and consultations, even in the most remote parts of the region. The awards celebrate the trucks and vehicles that have truly made a difference to the region’s operators – and the awards ensure your vehicles get the credit they deserve. The 2023 edition of the award’s site is live – so go ahead and submit your business’ nomination!,” added White.

Almost 4,000 people voted for categories in the last awards with Scania scooping the prestigious Heavy Truck of the Year and DSV winning Fleet of the Year awards, White stated.

Returning after a successful first event in early 2022, the 2023 event will once again invite the market to vote for the best fleets, products and services in the region.

To see the categories and to nominate yourself for the 2023 Truck and Fleet Middle East Awards, visit the site today.

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As Dubai’s Burj Khalifa celebrated turning 13, its residential units were said to be enjoying a 16% increase in sales. Property specialist Knight Frank said 94 apartments were sold in the tower in 2022, valued at US $130mn, accounting for 3% of all home sales in Dubai’s Downtown district.

The most expensive sold for $1,089 per sqft, which is said to be well above Dubai’s average of $899 per sqft for prime properties in 2022.

Premium neighbourhoods like Downtown have seen the strongest price growth, Knight Frank said, with Downtown seeing a 16.7% increase, Palm Jumeirah 17.3% and Dubai Hills 19% in 2022.

In August 2022, Emaar bought out Dubai Holding’s stake in Dubai Creek Harbour for $2.04bn.

Faisal Durrani, Partner, Head of Middle East Research, Knight Frank, said Burj Khalifa had accounted for $2.15bn worth of home sales since its opening, which is 7% of all sales value in Downtown and 0.25% of sales in Dubai since 2010.

Downtown prices are said to have increased by 27.6% since the onset of the pandemic, with it becoming the second-best performing market in Dubai behind the Palm Jumeirah, where prices have increased by 36.6%.

Durani added that with yields standing at around 6%, Dubai has seen “the overwhelming majority” of buyers in this property cycle buying second or holiday homes, rather than making speculative purchases.

In late November 2022, Sobha Realty unveiled a new interconnected tower development in Dubai.

Prime residential values in Dubai including Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills and Jumeirah Bay Island, have seen record growth during 2022, albeit from a low base, Knight Frank says.

Knight Frank’s 2023 global prime residential markets forecast positions Dubai in first place at 13.5%, on the back of an estimated 50% rise in prime residential prices in 2022.

In early December 2022, DAMAC launched Cavalli Couture at Safa Park in Dubai.

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Cable manufacturer and supplier Ducab Group has said that it is supplying 633km of medium voltage and earthing cables to a new Egyptian 70-turbine windfarm.

In a statement, Ducab said that the Gulf of Suez project, which is being developed for Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority, will play a key role in the country’s commitment to generating 42% of all electricity from renewable energy by 2035. It will save around 600,000t of CO2 emissions every year, it added.

As one of the largest developed utility scale wind power plants in Egypt, the project will contribute 250MW of renewable energy generation to the country’s energy mix. The 70 turbines are being installed in an area of 57sqkm.

Group CEO of Ducab, Mohammed Almutawa said, “We are committed to supporting countries to achieve their sustainability ambitions and our solutions are in high demand for solar and wind power projects around the world.”

In early March 2020, Ducab said it was consolidating its metal operations into a new subsidiary – DMB (Ducab Metal Business), a dedicated business unit within the Ducab group of companies.

“Ducab already supplies solutions to landmark renewable energy infrastructure in 55 countries but we are proud that demand for our expertise, experience and quality solutions is experiencing significant growth as more and more countries, such as Egypt, decarbonise and transition to renewables,” he added.

Ducab said it has partnered with Vestas, an EPC contractor and supplier of the 70 wind turbines.

In addition to the Gulf of Suez windfarm, Ducab has provided solutions for a wide range of milestone renewable energy projects in the Middle East including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the Shams 1 project and the Al Barakah nuclear plant in the UAE, the statement said.

The company has also initiated renewable energy projects across 55 countries and in April this year announced its first solar park partnership in Mexico.

Later in March 2020, the firm said it recorded a 5% growth in overall profits for 2019.

Ducab is said to be proudly aligned with ‘Operation 300bn’, the UAE’s national strategy to increase the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP from US $36.23bn to $81.74bn by 2031.

In mid January 2021, Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Mutawa was named as the first Emirati CEO of the Ducab Group.

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The Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ has been unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The primary goal of the agenda is to double the size of Dubai’s economy over the next decade, and consolidate its position among the top three global cities.

“In line with our long-standing tradition of launching key new initiatives on 4 January, today we approved the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ that aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy in the next decade and consolidate its position among the top three global cities. The Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ includes 100 transformative projects, with economic targets of US $8.71tn over the next 10 years, doubling our foreign trade to reach $6.96tn and adding 400 cities as key trading partners over the next decade,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

He continued, “Dubai will rank as one of the top four global financial centres with an increase in FDI to over $176.9bn over the next decade and an annual $27.2bn contribution from digital transformation. Over 300,000 global investors in Dubai today are helping build Dubai into the fastest growing global city.”

“2033 will mark 200 years since the foundation of Dubai: the year in which Dubai will be the most important global business centre, and by then we would have completed the D33 Agenda. We know our economic path over the next decade. The world makes way for those who know what they want,” he stated.

The launch of the ‘D33’ Agenda formed part of Sheikh Mohammed’s annual address on the anniversary of his Accession Day on 4 January. The comprehensive agenda includes the launch of innovative projects that will help achieve Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to make Dubai the world’s best city to live and work in, and will drive sustainable economic growth through innovative approaches.

The agenda outlines growth by investing in human development, skillsets and advanced technology and consolidating Dubai’s global competitiveness, innovation and knowledge-based economy. The agenda will also invest in enhancing the advantages gained from Dubai’s strategic location and its advanced infrastructure to raise the city’s status as a preferred destination for major international companies and investments.

In mid December 2022, the Top City Destinations Index ranked Dubai No.2 globally.

D33 will see a growth in government expenditures from $139bn in the past decade to $190.5bn in the next decade, with increased investment in future growth sectors and further development of traditional trade and economic sectors.

According to the Dubai Media Office, one of the pivotal goals of the agenda is to raise the competitiveness of the city’s business sector, which will enable the increase of private sector investment from $215bn in the past decade to $272.2bn by 2033. It also aims to increase the value of domestic demand of goods and services from $599bn in the past decade to $816.7bn in the coming decade, in line with Dubai’s vision for enhancing its trading sector and diversified economy.

One of the other key objectives of the agenda is generating new economic value from digital transformation. The digital economy is a major pillar in the agenda, with Dubai embarking on a new phase in which it seeks to pioneer and sustain the growth of an economy based on knowledge, innovation and future technologies.

The agenda will also focus on raising the value add of the industrial sector and promoting export growth, contributing to  sustainable economic growth, and achieving self-sufficiency in a number of key sectors and industries, including manufacturing. Other key priorities include making Dubai one of the five leading logistic hubs in the world, and one of the top four global financial centres. The agenda also seeks to increase the productivity of Dubai’s economy by 50% through innovation and digital solutions.

It also aims to integrate Emiratis into the private sector, making Dubai a hub for skilled workers, the fastest growing and most attractive global business centre, and an international hub for global multinational companies (MNCs) and national SMEs. The agenda will also focus on transforming Dubai into one of the top three international destinations for tourism and business by providing a globally competitive environment for business sustainability and driving down the cost of doing business across a number of sectors. In addition, the agenda outlines the bolstering of Dubai’s position as a fast growing and attractive business hub with world-class quality of life and the highest levels of security and safety for Dubai’s citizens and residents.

The agenda’s first set of projects including adding 400 cities as key trade partners and launching the Dubai Economic Corridors 2033 initiative, which will enhance existing foreign trade relations with Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Late in December 2022, the Dubai Land Department unveiled its new strategic plan for 2023-26.

The agenda is said to comprise a programme to support the growth of 30 companies in new sectors to become global unicorns, and integrate 65,000 young Emiratis into the workforce and the private sector. The Dubai Traders Project (DT33) meanwhile will empower a new generation of Dubai traders in various major growth sectors, driving growth in the city’s vibrant trading hub, the statement from the Dubai Media Office said.

The first set of projects of the agenda also include the Dubai Unified License that will provide a unique commercial identity for all companies across economic zones, and ‘Sandbox Dubai’, which aims to make Dubai a major hub for incubating business innovation by enabling the testing and marketing of new products and technologies.

The agenda also calls for the launch of the ‘Dubai Project’ to attract the world’s best universities, as part of the broader aim of making Dubai a leading global hub for higher education, and a programme to promote the growth of SMEs by identifying 400 high-potential companies and supporting their capacity-building and global expansion.

In early January 2023, Realiste predicted that Dubai’s current real estate boom will continue in 2023.

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Source: ME Construction News

Global air and travel services provider dnata has broken ground on a $14mn cargo warehouse at Erbil International Airport (EBL) in Iraq. The firm says the warehouse will support the expansion of its operations at the terminal and will create 50 new direct jobs with dnata in the country.

The cargo warehouse is scheduled for completion in September 2024 and will be capable of processing 100,000t of cargo annually including perishables, pharmaceuticals and dangerous goods. dnata said it will also implement its advanced ‘OneCargo’ system within the facility, digitising processes and maximising efficiencies across its cargo operations in the country.

The foundation stone for the facility was recently revealed by dnata’s Senior Vice President for UAE and Iraq Airport Operations, Jaffar Dawood.

In early November 2021, the Mheila Reverse Osmosis WTP was completed in Iraq’s Basra region.

Dawood said, “We are delighted to expand our operations in response to the growing demand for our reliable and safe cargo services in Erbil. Our new facility will incorporate cutting-edge technologies and the latest carbon reduction initiatives in design and operation, ensuring the highest level of operational and environmental efficiency for our customers. We stay committed to the Iraqi aviation industry and continue to invest in our operations to contribute to the development of Erbil as a regional cargo hub.”

According to dnata, the facility will be equipped with the latest technologies including thermal insulation to reduce the building’s environmental impact by maintaining low CO2 manufacturing emissions and operating costs. In addition, the facility’s environmentally sustainable features include a water harvesting system, which recycles condensed water, low energy skylighting, and an all-electric forklift fleet.

dnata’s latest expansion follows the opening of a new, advanced cool chain facility and a bus maintenance facility in 2022 at the airport. The company said it is currently provides ground handling and cargo services to over 25 airlines with a team of over 400 aviation professionals.

In mid July 2022, Saudi Arabia and Iraq said they were moving forward on an electricity interconnection project.

The air services major said it has, in recent years, made a number of strategic investments in new cargo facilities in London and Manchester (UK), Karachi and Lahore (Pakistan), and additional cargo capacity and infrastructure in Brussels (Belgium), Sydney (Australia) and Toronto (Canada).

Last January, it announced an investment of over US $212mn in one of the world’s largest and most advanced cargo facility, dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, at Schiphol Airport in The Netherlands.

In early November 2022, construction work on Kuwait International Airport achieved significant headway.

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The 2023 edition of the Big Project Middle East Golf Day will take place at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club in Dubai on 31 January, the magazine’s editorial team has revealed. The event, now in its 13^th year, mixes business and pleasure, and enables construction industry stakeholders to network and engage in friendly competition.

Registration is complementary but mandatory for regional consultants and contractors. The event will kick off on the day at 11am with registration and practice, and is scheduled to conclude by 6pm with the announcement of winners, followed by a buffet dinner and beverages. Individuals interested in participating in the event can register here – registrations are expected to close one week prior to the event.

“For the 2023 edition of the Big Project ME Golf Day, I’m pleased to announce that we have a new venue – the prestigious Arabian Ranches Golf Club. We look forward to welcoming old and new faces to this latest edition of our popular golf day as the first of Big Project’s many planned events for the new calendar year,” said Gavin Davids, Head of Editorial and Content at Big Project Middle East.

Previous editions of the industry event took place at a number of prestigious venues in Dubai including the Trump International Golf Club, Montgomerie Golf Club, and Emirates Golf Club.

Davids added that the highly anticipated industry event allows brands to cement existing relationships and generate new business contacts through a variety of exclusive and general sponsorship opportunities.

This year’s event is being supported by Kingspan Insulation and Mirage; commercial inquires around event sponsorship can be addressed to Raed Kaedbey at raed.kaedbey@cpitrademedia.com.

“We’re immensely proud of the ongoing success of the Big Project ME Golf Day – since its inception this event has always enjoyed a strong following and is consistently oversubscribed. It remains an effective and unmatched platform for individuals and brands to connect and network in a fun and relaxed way,” Davids concluded.

To learn more about the Big Project ME Golf Day, click here.

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Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has said that 58.4% of work has been completed on its US$387mn pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant, and that the project is on track for completion in Q4 2024.

In a statement, DEWA said that the 250MW Hatta Hydroelectric Power Plant is the first of its kind in the Gulf region, and that it would have a storage capacity of 1,500MW-hours, with a lifespan of up to 80 years.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) visited the power plant site to check the work progress. During the visit, Al Tayer was accompanied by Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation; Mansoor Al Suwaidi, Vice President – Projects and Engineering (Generation); and Khalifa Al Badwawi, Project Manager, along with the project team.

Al Tayer inspected the construction site at the hydroelectric power plant, where he was briefed about the work progress. The visit also included the inspection of the power generator’s site and the upper dam, where the water intake in the Hatta Dam connected to the power generators has been completed.

In late December 2022, DEWA said it had begun construction of the $12.5m Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project.

Construction of the 72m main Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) wall of the upper dam has been completed. Al Tayer also inspected the work progress of the water tunnel, which is 1.2km long and connects the two dams. The concrete lining of the water tunnel is complete, DEWA noted.

Al Tayer highlighted the importance of the power plant as part of DEWA’s efforts to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aims to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.

The project supports a comprehensive plan to develop Hatta and meet its social, economic, developmental, and environmental needs, in addition to providing innovative job opportunities for citizens in Hatta.

Al Tayer explained that the hydroelectric power plant in Hatta is part of the projects and initiatives launched by DEWA to diversify energy production from renewable and clean sources in Dubai. These include different available technologies such as solar photovoltaic panels, concentrated solar power, and green hydrogen production using renewable energy.

In early January 2023, Digital DEWA launched its first AI-driven cyber security system.

The hydroelectric power plant will be an energy storage facility with a turnaround efficiency of 78.9% that utilises the water stored in the upper dam, which is converted to kinetic energy during the flow of water through the 1.2km subterranean tunnel.

This kinetic energy rotates the turbines and converts mechanical energy to electrical energy which is sent to DEWA’s grid within 90 seconds in response to demand. To store energy, clean energy generated at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be used to pump the water through this tunnel back to the upper dam by converting the electrical power to kinetic energy making the whole project 100% renewable.

Later in January 2023, DEWA said over two million smart metres had been installed across Dubai.

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HASAS Real Estate, the property arm of Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB), has begun work on its key freehold development, Khorfakkan Resort, and is due for completion by the end of 2025.

Billed as a first-of-its-kind freehold development, it will feature luxury apartments with a private beach on the eastern coast of Sharjah and provides views of the coast, mountain and waterfall in Khorfakkan. The project also includes retail, restaurants, recreational facilities distributed and is said to be coordinated with the highest standards of exterior design, to serve all apartments and provide strong visual aesthetics to the surroundings.

Announcing the sales launch next week, General Manager Ahmed Al Amiri said: “The project is aimed at making Khorfakkan city a popular destination for tourism and investment. Its unique architectural design is consistent with the geographical nature of its prominent strategic location between the beach and mountains on the eastern coast, to be a tourist destination that enriches the cultural and urban dimension of the city.

In late March 2022, Shurooq said that work on the $23mn Al Hira Beach Project was on track and, in July 2022, Shurooq revealed plans for a new adventure project in Khorfakkan.

He added, “Khorfakkan Resort offers an exceptional opportunity to own luxury residential units with a private beach on the beautiful coast of Khorfakkan, and to enjoy a package of entertainment features, which boost tourism and investment opportunities in the city of Khorfakkan and add value for investors.”

The project will include a basement floor, a ground floor, and two upper floors for parking lots, along with nine residential floors, he stated, adding all of the luxury apartments will be available at a special sales event on 9 January.

Al Amiri concluded, “Khorfakkan Resort represents a new addition to our investments. By applying our previous successes and expertise in real estate investment, we strive to continue to play an integral role in the real estate boom that the UAE is witnessing.”

In early September 2022, the University of Khorfakkan said it would develop a new residential complex.

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Dubai-based sustainable facilities management (FM) services group Imdaad has secured a three-year contract from Al Nasr Club Investment Company to provide a variety of solutions and services within its sports club and surrounding facilities.

Under the terms of the contract, Imdaad will deploy a full range of hard and soft services, and security solutions to help ensure efficient operations within Al Nasr Sports Club’s 169,869sqm facility.

Imdaad said the focus will be on providing integrated FM services to three stadiums and public amenities within the club, as well as its investment residential buildings – Al Nasr Plaza; Al Nasr Palace; Al Nasr 01; Al Nasr 02; Al Nasr – Central; Al Nasr – Square & Al Nasr Tagrouda. All these real estate projects are being managed by Harbour Real Estate.

For the project, Imdaad will be deploying a team of 50 soft services supervisors and operators, as well as 32 hard services personnel from its FM, electrical, electromechanical, HVAC, A/C and chiller, plumbing, and civil departments.

In early March 2022, Imdaad said it had secured its third major FM contract with Dubai Municipality.

The project’s scope of work includes seven buildings with a total of 94 shops, 810 apartments, 100 commercial units, as well as the stadiums and facilities within Al Nasr Football Club. In addition, Imdaad will also render various solutions including electrical and plumbing maintenance, A/C and chiller services, HVAC management, and cleaning services throughout the contract’s duration.

The agreement was penned into action during a signing ceremony held recently at Al Nasr Sports Club, in the presence of Mahmood Rasheed, Chief Operating Officer of Imdaad, and Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi, Chairman of Al Nasr Club Investment Company.

On the deal, Mansoor Rahma Al Falasi said that his company’s partnership with Imdaad reflects the group’s commitment to preserving the sustainability of the club’s assets and its facilities.

“We are delighted with this partnership which will provide us with advanced capabilities and distinguished services of high standards and excellent quality,” he noted.

In mid April 2022, the FM firm won a Dubai Municipality contract for the cleaning of the city’s industrial areas.

Imdaad COO Mahmood Rasheed concluded, “Imdaad has been focusing on expanding its presence in the UAE as part of its growth strategy. The new contract agreement with Al Nasr Club Investment Company to provide integrated FM services at Al Nasr Football Club and its surrounding facilities marks a significant step forward in our ongoing expansion journey.”

In late October 2022, Dubal Holding and Imdaad said they were co-investing in sustainable projects.

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Source: ME Construction News