SANY has manufactured its first excavator in Indonesia marking the overseas launch of the first lighthouse factory in the Chinese construction machinery industry, the manufacturer said.

Located 70 kilometres away from the capital city of Jakarta, the SY315CKD was produced at a 10,000-square-metre plant in KIM Industrial Park with a total investment of nearly $30 million. The plant will mostly supply the southeastern Asia market while the planned annual production of the model is 3,000 units.

According to the company, SANY’s lighthouse factories look almost identical with AGVs that shuttle back and forth between production lines and warehouses, 100 or so human operators and over 500 robots that work together in a highly coordinated fashion. Online interconnection and autonomy have now been realised in twelve major links throughout the production chain, including assembly, logistics and commissioning.

Speaking on the announcement, Ding Shifeng, project leader, said: “This factory in Indonesia, drawing experiences from over 40 of its counterparts already built in China, epitomises the latest R&D achievements. It is the first ‘Industrial 4.0’ production base outside of China in the industry.”

He added: “Every piece of data in the industrial software and every bolt in the manufacturing facilities are produced according to SANY’s standard. This is a first for us, in this industry, to see a “made in China” mark on a standard, not on a product.”

Compared to SANY’s other bases in the US, Germany, India and Pakistan, this lighthouse factory is completely made and created by SANY from the design, construction and commissioning of the plant and its facilities to its operation and management.

The post SANY becomes the first Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer to export lighthouse factory appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Work on the Sheikh Ammar Street Development project is progressing at a steady pace in Ajman, with more than 65% of the project completed, it has been announced.

According to a WAM report, the project, which is being at an investment of $18.7 million, will help improve traffic flow as it will include making Al Tallah Street a two-way street. It is part of the first package of initiatives aimed at improving the emirate’s infrastructure and making it a modern, international city in terms of its architecture and construction, the report added.

The updates on the project came during a visit by Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director-General of the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman, who was briefed about its progress and inspected the work being done on the street.

During the tour, Al Nuaimi stressed that the project’s goal is to enlarge the street to three lanes from Al Rawda Bridge to Sheikh Ammar Bridge.

He added that as one of the emirate’s vital streets, the development requires drafting a plan to assess the ongoing situation and current and future needs.

Work on the project is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of 2023.

The post Work on Ajman’s Sheikh Ammar Street Development project more than 65% completed appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Saudi Arabian Amiantit Company (Amiantit), a major diversified industrial group, has announced that one of its affiliates, as part of a consortium, has been awarded a contract to manage, operate and maintain water and environmental treatment services in the northern sector of Saudi Arabia.

According to a filing to the Saudi Stock Exchange Tawadul, International Water Distribution Company (Tawzea) (which is 50% owned by Amiantit), along with its consortium partners Aqualia Spain Company and Alhaj Abdullah Ali Riza Company (HACCO) has secured a $106.16 million contract awarded by the National Water Company.

The seven-year contract, which is yet to be signed, will see the consortium manage the operation and maintenance of water and environmental treatment services in the norther sector of the Kingdom by raising the operational efficiency, technical knowledge, quality and availability of services and maintenance requirements in the sector. The sector serves four regions in the north of Saudi Arabia, it added.

Tawzea specialises in the management of concessions and the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater facilities. It owns 39% of the project’s company to implement the contract, Amiantit added.

The post Tawzea consortium wins $106m water management contract appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

The region’s first vertical aerospace complex, the Suppliers Complex, is scheduled to be completed in September according to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South. The facility has been designed to attract SMEs and start-ups by offering solutions that are designed for multipurpose activities.

“The new facility is in line with our mandate to provide the aviation industry with the required infrastructure and facilities to set up their businesses as part of the overall ecosystem that we have at MBRAH. We are also offering exclusive incentives to companies, mainly start-ups and SMEs, and we will spare no effort to cement Dubai’s position on the world aviation map,” said Tahnoon Saif, CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub.

The $4.6bn Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub was first announced in February 2019, and in November 2020, MBRAH announced that its infrastructure is 70% complete.

The Suppliers Complex is in the Supply Chain Cluster, and is a G+3 development offering over 12,000m2 of light industrial space, enabling aerospace companies to easily and quickly set-up their facilities. The facility is said to offer 86 leasable units with three levels for companies providing maintenance services, aircraft parts trading, aerospace and drone companies.

According to MBRAH which was developed by Dubai South, the complex offers global aerospace players high-level connectivity and is a free-zone destination for the world’s leading airlines, private jet companies, and associated industries. MBRAH is also home to maintenance centres and training and education campuses, and seeks to strengthen engineering industries to foster the emirate’s vision of becoming a leading aviation hub.

Take the five minute Middle East Construction News Survey and you could win a brand new Apple Watch!

The post ‘Suppliers Complex’ at MBR Aerospace Hub to be handed over in September appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

What’s billed as one of the region’s most sophisticated warehousing and logistics hubs – KLP21 – will be delivered by AD Ports Group, with its first warehousing facilities set to be available within Q3 2022.

KLP21 is situated in Kizad, the group’s integrated trade and industrial zone located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The site is said to leverage the UAE’s strategic position as a gateway to Asia, Africa and the MENA region, and is also located next to the upcoming Regional Food Hub (along the main E311 cargo corridor), ensuring direct connectivity to all major markets.

Comprising four warehouses with over 80,000sqm of capacity, KLP21 will be one of the largest and most advanced temperature-controlled logistics hubs in the region. Combined, the warehouses will be able to accommodate over 100,000 pallets across a network of chambers which can be independently configured to a range of sizes and temperatures.

Take the five minute Middle East Construction News Survey and you could win a brand new Apple Watch!

The facility is tailor-made to support critical regional industries requiring cold and ambient storage, including healthcare, food and beverage, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and specialty chemicals sectors.  Among the benefits for potential customers, the facility will offer a full suite of third-party logistics (3PL) and fourth-party logistics (4PL) services, regional logistics hub operations and value-added services including re-packing, specialty packing, labelling and others.

Developed by KIZAD, the facility will have two of its four warehouses, spanning 40,000sqm, operated by AD Ports Logistics. For AD Ports Logistics, this is in addition to over 350,000sqm of logistics storage space, including its KIZAD-based 19,000sqm ultra-cold storage facility that has been the cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s global efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abdullah Al Hameli, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Cities & Free Zones Cluster, AD Ports Group, said: “The development of KLP21 builds upon our fully integrated offering under AD Ports Group’s Economic Cities & Free Zones portfolio. The project responds to increasing customer demand for temperature-controlled storage solutions in the emirate to support the safe and efficient distribution of climate-sensitive goods in the UAE and across the wider region.”

In July 2022, Abu Dhabi launched a new $2.72bn drive to expand its manufacturing sector to over $46bn.

The post AD Ports launches ‘industry-leading’ logistics hub – KLP21 appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Etihad Rail has achieved a new milestone in the development of the National Rail Network, with the arrival of the first batches of the company’s new and advanced rolling stock fleet.

The locomotives and wagons reached the UAE via Zayed and Al Musaffah Ports and will operate across the whole network upon its completion. The achievement comes in line with Etihad Rail’s efforts to achieve the objectives of the UAE Railways Programme, the largest land transport system of its kind in the UAE, which was launched as part of the Projects of the 50, the largest set of national strategic projects that seek to set up a new phase of development across UAE for the next fifty years, a statement said.

The UAE Railways Programme aims to set a new roadmap for transporting goods and passengers via train across the country, which will contribute to developing a sustainable land transport system that connects the cities of the UAE via railways.

In June 2022, Etihad Rail signed a $326.7mn deal for passenger trains with CAF.

Etihad Rail said it would increase its fleet of heavy freight locomotives to 45 heavy transport locomotives, which is equivalent to six times of its current fleet. Progress Rail will handle the manufacturing and supply of the new EMD SD70 electro-motive diesel locomotives.

Furthermore, the company increased the size of its wagons, with the new fleet aiming to house more than 1,000 multi-purpose wagons – three times its current fleet. China’s CRRC Group will handle the manufacturing and supply of the new fleet of wagons, the statement said.

Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Executive Director of Rail Relations Sector at Etihad Rail said: “The arrival of the new fleet of locomotives and wagons to the UAE on schedule reflects the level of the achievements that the Etihad Rail project is realising in the development of the UAE National Railway Network. Upon completion and becoming fully operational, the network will contribute to revitalising and bolstering economic growth in the UAE, particularly during the next 50 years, by providing reliable and safe freight services with high efficiency.

“The network will also contribute to the region’s economic growth upon its connection with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) network, which will consolidate the UAE’s position as a regional and global centre for shipping and logistics services. This achievement comes as part of the company’s preparations to operate the network according to the highest global standards in the future.”

Etihad Rail’s new fleet was designed specifically to withstand regional climate conditions, and the high temperatures and humidity levels in the GCC region, ensuring the highest levels of performance, efficiency, and sustainability. In August, Liebherr said it had successfully tested air conditioning unit destined for use in Etihad Rail trains.

The fleet will increase the capacity of the UAE National Rail Network to more than 60m tonnes of goods per year. Etihad Rail’s new fleet will also contribute towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70%-80%.

“We made sure that the company’s new fleet is among the most modern in the region and the world, providing the highest safety criteria in terms of design, ensuring the best specifications for sustainability and environmental protection, and integrating the latest technologies for train operation and monitoring. We also ensured that the fleet suits the local geography and climate in the UAE and the region and meets current and future needs of Etihad Rail’s clients, including industrial companies, shipping companies, building materials suppliers, quarriers, and more,” Al Marzouqi added.

Each of the fleet’s new EMD SD70 locomotives packs 4,600hp, which is said to make them amongst the most powerful engines in the Middle East. The locomotives are equipped with the latest filtering innovations such as the pulse sand filtering system, which ensures that the train operates at high effectiveness and efficiency when passing through desert regions. They also incorporate and comply the latest technologies and standards for reducing emissions.

The locomotives are also equipped with advanced on-board technologies and systems like the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2, the most advanced signalling system of its kind, in order to ensure safety, security, and reliability, in addition to efficiency and sustainability. Each locomotive can pull 100 wagons, which is equivalent to the capacity of 300 trucks. The volume of goods transported by these trains is equivalent to 5,600 daily truck trips.

“Our diesel-electric EMD SD70 locomotives meet the highest global standards,” commented Marty Haycraft, Progress Rail President and Chief Executive Officer. “Etihad Rail’s new fleet is a great example of what our customers have come to expect from our advanced locomotives, which are designed to perform in extreme conditions.”

The wagons are equipped with the latest braking, signalling, control, communication, and safety systems. The variety of wagons will enable a higher flexibility and capability in transporting goods of various sizes, including petrochemicals, raw steel and its products, limestone, cement, building materials, industrial and household waste, aluminum, food, and assorted goods. This helps reduce transportation costs by 30% and increase logistic efficiency, which drives economic success for clients and users of the network. In addition, railway transport will reduce road congestion caused by trucks, which are currently the only shipping method.

The new locomotives and wagons will be stored at Etihad Rail’s facilities in Al Mirfa until the completion of construction works on the UAE National Railway Network. The development of the network is proceeding at a rapid pace and marking a number of achievements, the most recent being finishing 75% of Stage Two of the project within 28 months.

Ben Quak, General Manager of CRRC UAE concluded: CRRC is excited to be a partner in Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network, contributing to the growth of Etihad Rail, the UAE, and the region by supporting the development of the rail industry. We are pleased to witness the successful delivery of the multi-function wagons, which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and provide safe, sustainable, and efficient services.”

Take the five minute Middle East Construction News Survey and you could win a brand new Apple Watch!

The post Etihad Rail receives first batch of new and advanced rolling stock appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

CASE Construction Equipment, a brand of CNH Industrial, has produced its 50,000th backhoe loader, from its facility in the district of Madhya Pradesh in India, the manufacturer has revealed.

In a statement announcing the milestone Fabrizio Cepollina, Vice President CNH Industrial Construction Segment in Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific said, “CASE has been manufacturing backhoe loaders since 1957, when the industry’s first factory integrated BHL was produced by CASE; and the brand’s latest range of those machines further drive our legacy of excellence to newer heights. This is a moment of pride for us, and we are working towards making our well-equipped plant a global manufacturing hub for CNH Industrial products.”

Earlier in the year, at the 2022 Construction Machinery Middle East Awards, the firm walked away with wins in two categories.

Built in 1989, the CNH Industrial plant in the town of Pithampur, has been manufacturing a range of construction equipment including backhoe loaders, compactors and crawler-excavators.

CNH Industrial also has a significant Research and Development facility at Pithampur, where its engineers ensure that machines go through regular upgrades and are future ready. As part of the company’s sustainability goals contributing to reducing carbon emission, solar panels have been installed at its Pithampur plant to help provide up to 25% of the plant’s energy through natural sources. At present, the facility exports to over 75 countries including Africa and the Middle East, Asia Pacific region, North America and Latin America markets.

In August 2022, the firm introduced a new machinery category with the launch of the Minotaur DL550 Compact Dozer Loader launch.

“The 50,000th Backhoe Loader rollout is a proud moment for us at CNH Industrial; and reaffirms our potential, encouraging us to continue to produce versatile machines for our customers all over the world,” concluded Satendra Tiwari, Pithampur Plant Head.

Take the five minute Middle East Construction News Survey and you could win a brand new Apple Watch!

The post CASE India crosses production milestone of 50,000th backhoe loader appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

According to a new report by CBRE, in the 12 months to July 2022, average residential rents in Dubai increased by 23.7%. This represents the highest annual growth since May 2014.

Average apartment and villa rents increased by 23.5% and 24.8% respectively, which translates – as at July 2022 – into average apartment rents of $22,600, and for villas a figure of $71,000 per annum.

In the rental market, the highest annual apartment and villa rents were in Palm Jumeirah, where rents on average were $59,830, and in Al Barari, where rents on average were $251,833.

Take the five minute Middle East Construction News Survey and you could win a brand new Apple Watch!

Meanwhile, the total volume of transactions in Dubai’s residential market reached 6,524 in July 2022, up 58% from a year earlier. Over this period, off-plan sales increased by 59% and secondary market sales by 57.1%. Total transaction volumes in the year to date to July 2022 reached 45,793 – the highest total recorded since 2009.

As at July 2022, average apartment prices in Dubai stood at $303 per sqft and average villa prices stood at $363 per sqft. Compared to the highs witnessed in late 2014, these rates per square foot are 25.1% and 7.6% below the peak, for apartments and villas, respectively.

Taimur Khan, Head of Research – MENA at CBRE in Dubai, commented: “Despite the summer period, which usually sees more subdued activity levels, sales activity in Dubai’s residential market remained buoyant in July 2022, with 6,524 units transacting in the month, up 50.8% from a year earlier.”

In terms of the top three locations for apartment rental growth, in the 12 months to July 2022, rents in Palm Jumeirah, Downtown and Dubai Marina saw rents increase by 39.8%, 38.4% and 35.7% on average, respectively.”

In August 2022, Sharjah said its new ‘Holiday Homes Project’ is set to diversify its economic growth, while later in the month, the CBRE noted that Bahrain’s real estate transaction volumes are on a positive trajectory.

The post Dubai’s rental prices see highest growth since 2014 appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Following completion of a $400mn transaction, Apollo, through its managed investment vehicles, has acquired an 11.1% minority stake in Aldar Investment Properties (AIP). The subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-listed Aldar Properties is the region’s largest institutional-class real estate platform.

The transaction involved the issuance of $400mn in common equity and mandatory convertible preferred equity at 100% of NAV into AIP, which houses Aldar’s core asset management business; this comprises more than $6.3bn of prime real estate assets across retail, residential, commercial, and logistics segments. The diversified portfolio is said to have been highly resilient through a number of challenging economic cycles, with occupancy standing at 92% as of June 30, 2022.

The acquisition is part of Apollo’s previously announced $1.4bn investment into Aldar’s continuing growth initiatives.

By providing significant financial backing, the transaction is a catalyst for AIP to significantly scale up its real estate platform through further transformative acquisitions, a statement from Aldar said.

AIP has been expanding rapidly this year and in July announced the acquisition of four prime Grade A commercial towers in Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi’s financial centre, for $1.7bn.

Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar Properties, commented: “We welcome Apollo as strategic investors in Aldar Investment Properties at a time when we are building significant scale, diversification, and synergies across the region’s premium platform for property ownership. Apollo is a highly respected global investor, and this commitment displays strong belief in Aldar’s transformational growth agenda and reinforces the reputation of the UAE and Abu Dhabi, which is experiencing a trend of increasing capital inflows from long-term institutional investors.”

Take the five minute Middle East Construction News Survey and you could win a brand new Apple Watch!

The post Apollo acquires $400mn stake in Aldar Investment Properties appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

WiredScore, the organisation behind the WiredScore and SmartScore certifications – the internationally recognised digital connectivity and smart building rating systems for real estate, has announced the appointment of John Hillard to lead its expansion into the Middle East.

In a statement, the company said that Hillard will form an integral part of WiredScore’s wider offering to Middle Eastern real estate developers, landlords, and asset managers in enabling digital connectivity, bolstering the regional real estate sector.

With significant expertise driving growth in the real estate and technology sectors at global businesses, Hillard will be working to identify how to best improve and maintain digital connectivity for buildings across the region, the company said.

Take the five minute Middle East Construction News Survey and you could win a brand new Apple Watch!

Commenting on Hillard’s appointment, Tom McClellan, Country Director, UK & Ireland and Growth Markets, at WiredScore, said: “The Middle East is a highly dynamic region, with a range of ambitions across the connected building and broader smart cities space. John’s wealth of experience and his extensive knowledge of both the Middle East and the real estate sectors will support regional clients who want their buildings to align with increasing demands from tenants for future-proofed offices that are underpinned by robust technology and digital connectivity.”

“For real estate developers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha, and other cities across the region, the demand for a globally recognised, ESG-aligned, digital certification system is evident. John’s appointment is a clear indication of our commitment to the in-region property and construction sector.”

Prior to WiredScore, Hillard has led teams at Hassell, the international architecture, design and urban planning firm, with key responsibilities for driving growth across the UK, European and Middle East. He also spent several years working with ARUP, a British multinational professional service firm in the built environment operating across 35 countries.

PNC Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group said that digital transformation strengthens real estate resilience.

In these roles, he was responsible for driving the growth of the company’s commercial property vertical across the UK, Middle East, as well as the USA.

John Hilliard, Middle East Lead at WiredScore, commented: “There has never been a more exciting moment to be involved in the Middle East real estate sector. The size and aspiration of projects across the region is clear: both in terms of sheer scale, but also in the role technology has in the flight to quality that we’re seeing across the Middle East. WiredScore is uniquely positioned to support regional real estate developers in meeting their goals, alongside supporting the broader visions of their national governments.”

WiredScore has two certifications: WiredScore and SmartScore. The WiredScore certification is the global digital connectivity rating scheme, working with landlords to assess, improve, benchmark and promote their buildings. The SmartScore certification defines what smart buildings are, and how to build them, allowing landlords in the world to understand, improve and communicate the user functionality and technological foundations of their assets.

In August 2022, AESG said it was one of the first firms in the region with accredited professionals who can support developers, building owners, and facilities managers in achieving WiredScore and SmartScore certifications.

The post WiredScore appoints John Hillard to lead expansion into the Middle East appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News