Raimondi Cranes has unveiled two new cranes, the T187 and T357, in addition to its new extended crane cab, the Raimondi Lumina X.

The T357, which was presented at Bauma 2022 as part of the Class 150 series, alongside the company’s other new products, has a 16t maximum lifting capacity, and is designed to offer significant hoist speed and tip load with a maximum radius of 77.5m and a maximum tip load of 2.67t in UltraLift.

The T187, part of the Class 110 series has a maximum capacity of 10t with a maximum jib length of 67.5m and a jib tip capacity of 1.6t.

In July 2022, the firm said it had deployed cranes for the construction of residential buildings in Aljada and, in October 2022, the firm unveiled its new brand and company vision.

Similar to the Class 110 series, the full range of Class 150 machines is designed and conceptualised as a whole set of cranes by prioritising modularity of mechanical and carpentry parts, as well as interchangeability of the jib elements. The new crane series’ name is drawn from the 1.5m wide jib section.

“We presented the T357 for Bauma, as it demonstrates the superior characteristics of the Class 150, the Raimondi’s new range of six flattop cranes. With a maximum lifting capacity ranging between 12t to 24t, this new class was designed with the Central & Northern Europe, American and Canadian markets in mind,” explained Cristian Badin, Commercial Director at Raimondi Cranes.

“The Raimondi T357 is aptly-suited for construction of medium-to-high infrastructural jobsites due to its maximum lifting speed of 152m per minute using a 75kW winch, and the drum capacity of 800m,” Badin added.

All of the Class 150 models can be equipped with Lumina X, Raimondi’s extended version of the newly-launched crane cabin. At 2.14m high, 2.28m long, and 1.50m wide, the Lumina is one of the largest cabins on the market today, the company said. It boasts several new benefits such as an integrated refrigerator, multiple drawers, coat hangers, a wireless phone charger station and Bluetooth audio system.

In October 2022, Wolffkran introduced high-performance fiber rope for tower cranes.

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Construction work on the Kuwait International Airport is progressing well, with the project’s third package nearing the 76% completion mark, it has been announced. The third package includes the construction of a new control tower and runway, as well as the revamp and modernisation of a second runway.

According to a KUNA report, citing a top civil aviation official, significant headway has been made in the execution of the project, mainly the third package for the renovation of the airport. Saad Al Otaibi, the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation, added that the third package includes four main components, the first of which is the construction of a new control tower, and equipping it with the latest navigation systems and the second component is the construction of a runway.

Some 88% of work for building a new observation tower and installing state-of-the-art navigation equipment has been done, he stated, highlighting that the third component includes the reconstruction, modernisation and development of the eastern runway. The fourth is linked to infrastructure services for the southern region of the airport, he continued.

In November 2021, Kuwait’s DGCA announced a $8.2bn investment plant for its international airport and, in January 2022, the country announced plans for a new airport.

Al Otaibi added that work on the Kuwait airport has entered fast track for the re-construction and restoration of the eastern runway and services infrastructure in the facility southern section. He also said plans were afoot to appoint an international operator to upgrade the air aviation and train national cadres to run the vital facility.

“Tenders will be floated for selecting an international investor to operate T2 terminal,” he said, pointing to the successful experience regarding T4, which was inaugurated in 2018.

The tenders will be also designed to draw investors for managing and operating cargo and the terminal for private aircraft, he concluded.

In August 2022, Al Bateen Executive Airport said it was recommencing full operations.

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Developers, government departments and contractors now have until 15 November 2022 to submit nominations for the 2022 Big Project Middle East Awards (BPME Awards), the Big Project Middle East (BPME) editorial team has announced. Running for over 11 years, the annual event will recognise the region’s top developers, contractors and government departments at a gala event in Dubai, at the Ritz Carlton JBR on 15 December 2022.

Covering a range of sectors including contracting, project, individual and initiative focused awards, the Big Project ME Awards 2022 reflects the diversity and reach of the construction industry, the editorial team said.

This year, a total of 21 awards are up for grabs including: Contractor of the Year; Developer of the Year; Project of the Year; Infrastructure Project of the Year; Supplier of the Year; Sustainable Government Department of the Year; Big Project ME Executive of the Year and others. Read about all the categories by clicking here.

Read about all the winners at the 2021 Big Project ME Awards here.

Commenting on why the deadline for nominations was extended, Gavin Davids, Head of Editorial and Content at BPME states, “Given the high-volume of interest in this year’s Big Project ME Awards and how busy this period is for companies and individuals, we decided to extend the nomination deadline to 15 November, so as to give everyone the best chance to put forward quality nominations. We wish everyone the best and look forward to unveiling the shortlist and winners in due course.”

As before, there is no cost to submit nominations for the BPME Awards, and nominations will only be accepted via the event’s dedicated website. Once nominations close, they will be studied by an independent panel of judges comprising individuals from the consulting side of the construction industry, as well as academia. Read all the nomination guidelines here.

Sharing his thoughts on how companies can stand out with their nominations, Davids states, “It’s important to take time with your submissions – detail exactly what you’ve accomplished and delivered over the last year. The more data and information you can share, the more informed the judges will be about your suitability as a winner.”

He also warns, “One thing that will work against you is submitting a company brochure or marketing pack – your nomination should introduce your company, tell us what you’re all about and be clear and concise. Each year, we receive hundreds of nominations, so if you want to stand out from your competitors, make sure the nomination reflects your achievements clearly and authentically.”

“It’s critical to include signed and stamped testimonials and endorsements in your submissions, as it gives the judges an opportunity to see how your partners, clients and stakeholders value your company’s contribution to their projects and operations,” he concludes.

To learn more about the Big Project Middle East awards, click here.

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Energy tech specialist Baker Hughes and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) have signed a strategic technology collaboration. The deal, which was inked at ADIPEC 2022, will see the two firms explore opportunities around research and development (R&D) for technologies that can help drive a sustainable energy future in the UAE.

The agreement aims to support the development of technology proof of concepts, technology scale-ups and technology pilots, while exploring the feasibility of their deployment across key projects at ADNOC, a statement from Baker Hughes explained.

“ADNOC is accelerating the development and deployment of advanced technologies to provide smarter, lower carbon, energy to the world. Together with Baker Hughes, we will focus on finding innovations that help the UAE achieve its Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, while also generating In-County Value,” said Sophie Hildebrand, ADNOC Group Chief Technology Officer.

In July 2019, Saudi Aramco and Baker Hughes signed a MoU to develop a manufacturing facility and, in October 2021, Baker Hughes said it had begun construction of the OFS regional hub at SPARK in Saudi Arabia.

In line with the objectives of the UAE’s In-Country Value program, the agreement supports the development of home-grown innovations, with an opportunity to leverage the ADNOC Research and Innovation Center to foster these R&D projects, the statement added.

“We are honored to be signing this agreement with ADNOC, which reinforces our commitment to supporting In-Country Value and innovation in the UAE. As an energy technology company, we are keen to work with ADNOC to locally develop technologies that can support a more sustainable energy future in the UAE and beyond,” said Zaher Ibrahim, Vice President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Baker Hughes.

With more than 1,600 employee and 10 facilities in the country, Baker Hughes has been a committed partner to the UAE for more than 60 years, long supporting localisation and sustainability initiatives and programs in country, the statement concluded.

In October 2022, the RAK Energy Summit concluded after two days of dialogue.

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Developer Alpago Properties has unveiled another high-value penthouse on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, stating that it will come to market with a price tag of $68.06mn.

The firm said it is developing a project which will feature 10 units comprising floorplans of either 9,000sqft and 19,000sqft, which will cost between $25.86mn and $68.06mn. The most expensive unit receives two floors, while the other nine will each have one.

The developer recently sold a new mansion on the Palm for $82.36mn, surpassing the previous record of $76.23mn.

In September 2022, Alpago Properties launched ‘Dubai’s only’ double signature villa on the Palm Jumeirah.

A representative from Alpago said, “Prices have been set for the 10 units that make up the project’s 11 stories. Sales won’t begin until the project is finished, which is anticipated to be in 2024.”

On the Palm, Frond G – the setting for this latest development – is said to have more signature villas than the rest of Palm Jumeirah combined, and is popularly known as ‘Billionaires Row’. It’s home to the most expensive villa ever sold in Dubai, which again was courtesy of Alpago Properties.

Prathyusha Gurrapu, Head of Research and Advisory at real estate consultancy Core, said the prime and ultra-prime residential market has been relatively resilient compared to the affordable and mid-market segment during 2014-2020.

In October 2022, Signature Developers appointed the Devmark Group to launch a new mansion project.

He explained, “We have observed a marked increase in demand for prime residential properties since Q4 of 2020. In fact, 2021 saw the highest secondary market transactions above $2.72mn in the last decade, with Palm Jumeirah accounting for nearly 35% of these transactions.”

Prime residential values in Dubai, which include the neighbourhoods of the Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills and Jumeirah Bay Island, have risen by 88.8% in the last 12 months, according to Knight Frank.

“Prime residential values in Dubai continue to strengthen, growing by 29% in the third quarter alone, fuelled by a persistent deluge of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, who are zeroing in on Dubai’s premier districts, in search of second homes,” said Faisal Durrani, Partner – Head of Middle East Research.

Of Dubai’s three Prime residential districts, the Palm Jumeirah, with an average transacted price of $831.4psf, remains the most affordable, relative to Emirates Hills $1,421psf and Jumeirah Bay Island $1,727psf.

In late October 2022, Mukesh Ambani purchased Dubai’s most expensive villa for $163mn.

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Dubai-based developer Ellington Properties has begun the handover of its Harrington House project in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC). Harrington House features 92 residential units comprising studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.

According to Ellington, the development has been designed with resort-like amenities to enhance residents’ wellbeing and quality of life, with a swimming pool, outdoor greenspace, a fitness studio with precision equipment and views of the pool and courtyard, as well as spa-inspired changing rooms with steam showers. The project was topped out in December 2021.

“Residents will benefit from a two-story terraced courtyard with a stunning wooden-feature staircase, an outdoor barbeque and entertainment space, an indoor and outdoor kids’ play area with sustainable finishes and Montessori-inspired features, and a lobby and lounge area with hotel-style furnishing and a concierge,” said Ellington’s Co-Founder and CEO, Elie Naaman.

In June 2021, the developer unveiled a new wellness residential project in MBR City and, later in the month, said it had topped out Belgravia Heights I in JVC.

He added that Harrington House is “inspired by the beauty and serenity of the Arabian desert” and “embodies a holistic and balanced approach to urban living, through interwoven elements that cater to a happy and healthy lifestyle.”

Ellington Properties has commissioned artwork to be displayed throughout Harrington House, through the Ellington Art Foundation, which aims to promote Dubai-based artists. The residential project, which was launched last year, was completed ahead of schedule, it added.

The developer stated that it has a varied portfolio of projects including Belgravia and Belgravia II, Belgravia Square, Belgravia Heights I, Eaton Place, and Somerset Mews, as well as Wilton Terraces, and Wilton Park Residences.

In March 2022, the developer signed an agreement with entrepreneur Abdul Razeq Abdul Ahad to develop a residential project in Dubai Hills Estate.

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Manitou has launched its ‘Oxegyn’ low emissions platform range with four new electric platform models designed for greater maneuverability and lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

The 200 ATJe rough-terrain platform with a working height of 20m comes with four-wheel steer and a basket that can now take 250kg of load – 30kg more than on the two-wheel drive version. According to the manufacturer, the TCO has been reduced with an almost 50% decrease in maintenance costs compared to the internal combustion version.

The range of rough-terrain electric telehandlers welcomes two models, the 160 ATJe and 180 ATJe. With a working height of 16m and 18m respectively, these platforms also see their capacity increased by 50kg allowing them to take a total weight of 250kg.

The 2023 Access & Handling Summit organised by Construction Machinery Middle East will examine smarter ways to work at height. Registration is complementary but mandatory for professionals from the access and handling, crane, construction, facilities management, oil and gas, power, transport, and equipment rental sectors.

There is also a second version named 160 ATJ+ e, with capacity significantly increased to 400kg. The 160, 180 and 200 ATJe models also come with a Safety Pack, protecting the operator and the site teams, as well as alerting fleet managers to any high-risk behavior, the company stated.

This includes forgotten harness detection and detection of obstacles around the machine’s chassis, while a ‘lighting’ pack consisting of several lights is positioned on the platform to help with safe loading and unloading.

“With all these new products, Manitou Group is the first manufacturer to have a range of 100% electric rough-terrain platforms from 16m to 20m. The acceleration of our electric development allows us to now offer low-emission solutions across our platform ranges, as well as on our telehandlers. We will continue to extend this energy to other ranges in accordance with the objectives of our CSR roadmap,” said Arnaud Boyer, VP of Marketing & Product Development.

In June 2022, AFI said it grew its material handling brand AFI Lifting with Manitou telehandlers and, in September 2022, Manitou acquired ATN Platforms to boost its product range.

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Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced its intention to continue the shift towards electric hauling solutions by investing approximately $32.7m into its production facility in Braås, Sweden between now and 2027.

The facility, which specialises in the design and manufacture of articulated haulers for the global market, produced the world’s first fossil-free construction machine, an A30G, which was delivered to Swedish construction company, NCC earlier this year.

As part of the investment the factory is expected to be adapted over the coming years to enable it to produce a larger range of articulated haulers with different types of powertrain to reflect the shift in demand towards equipment with more sustainable power sources.

In early September 2022, Volvo CE and Brio joined forces to inspire budding engineers.

The investment will also be used to extend production capacity at the 45,000m2 site in southern Sweden to broaden the product range going forwards, with the addition of new buildings and production equipment.

In addition, Volvo CE will invest in automation and ergonomics to both reduce the need for employees to engage in repetitive tasks and create a safer work environment.

“The transport and construction industry is undergoing a transformation with, among other things, an increasing number of electrified vehicles,” says Jonas Lakhall, Site Manager at Volvo CE in Braås.

Later in September 2022, Volvo CE said it had upgraded its L25 electric wheel loader.

“This investment will enable us to adapt and extend our production facility, so that we can offer a broader range of machines, with different powertrains, to our customers and help them meet their emission reduction ambitions. It is important for us to continue to be at the forefront and make clear decisions to meet our Science Based Target commitment to achieve Net Zero value chain emissions by 2040. By adapting our production for electric machines, we are progressing along our electrification roadmap.”

In late October 2022, the company said it would produce battery modules in Ghent by 2025.

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The groundbreaking ceremony for a new 500MW Build-Own-Operate (BOO) Wind Farm near Ras Ghareb, Egypt was held by Red Sea Wind Energy in-conjunction with the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy.

Red Sea Wind Energy is a consortium comprising ENGIE (35%), Orascom Construction PLC (25%), Toyota Tsusho Corporation (20%), Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation (20%).

By leveraging the wind resources in the Gulf of Suez area, with 360 days of wind per year, the project will significantly support Egypt’s decarbonisation efforts, a statement from ENGIE explained.

In August 2022, South Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power won a $2.2bn contract from Russia’s Rosatom to build a nuclear energy plant in Egypt.

Overall, the Gulf of Suez 2 wind farm will contribute to Egypt’s renewable power generation goals of having 42% electricity produced from renewable sources by 2030, and will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1,000,000 tons annually.

Located on the shores of the Gulf of Suez, 40km North-West of Ras Ghareb, the Gulf of Suez Project 2 will be the largest onshore wind power plant in ENGIE’s portfolio. The project meets strict environmental standards and supports Egypt’s transition to renewable energy, the company confirmed.

Once fully operational, the plant will be the largest privately developed utility-scale wind power plant in Egypt, capable of delivering clean power to more than 800,000 Egyptian homes, it stated.

Late in October 2022, Orascom Construction said it had added $670mn to its backlog in Q3 2022.

The 500MW wind farm project is said to build on the past success achieved by the consortium in developing Gulf of Suez 1 – Ras Ghareb Wind Farm (262.5MW). The project was Egypt’s first renewable energy Independent Power Producer (IPP) project, and tripled the developer consortium’s wind energy capacity in Egypt to 762.5MW. That project was said to have been completed ahead of schedule in October 2019).

The new 500MW project is said to have been negotiated on a bilateral basis with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) as the off taker, using the same consortium as in Gulf of Suez 1.

In November 2022, JLL issued a whitepaper that outlined ways to decarbonise Egypt’s built environment.

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