Saipem has said that it has been awarded onshore and offshore contracts worth $1.25bn across the Middle East region.

In a statement, Saipem explained that the first group of contracts concerns the extension of onshore drilling contracts in the Middle East for an overall amount of approximately $600mn. The awards relate to the ten-year extension of existing contracts regarding four land-rigs located in the Middle East.

The land rigs, with power ranging from 1,500 to 2,000HP, will be employed for exploration and production activities in various oil and gas fields, in continuity with operations under execution in the area, it added.

In addition, the company said that it has been selected to be awarded four new contracts in the Middle East. The scope of work of the contracts encompasses the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of several offshore jackets, decks, subsea pipelines, subsea composite cables, umbilicals, fibre optic cables and brownfield modifications. The combined value of these contracts is approximately $650 million, it noted.

In March 2020, Saipem and AHQ signed an agreement to set up a JV firm in Saudi Arabia, while in February 2021, the firm was awarded a $1.7bn offshore project by Qatargas. In June, ADNOC awarded a $510mn EPC contract to Saipem for the Shah gas plant upgrade.

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Source: ME Construction News

Building an inclusive business where anyone can thrive is a goal that Carole O’Neil is committed to realising at Cundall. She made the revelation during an exclusive chat with Middle East Construction News (MECN), and noted the issue is close to her heart.

“Our strength has always been our people, and my own professional background in human resources means that building a business where all talent can thrive will always be close to my heart. I want to continue to drive this by building our leadership capability through activities such as leadership development, succession planning and mentoring. At Cundall, we are committed to being the most inclusive employer in our industry, and I’m looking forward to continuing to provide visible leadership on this in my new role,” she explains.

In June, Cundall announced O’Neil as its new Global Managing Partner, taking over the reins from Tomás Neeson. She has over 15 years of experience with the firm, having first joined as Human Resources Director in 2007.

O’Neil fully assumes the role on 1 July, 2022 and when pressed about how she envisions her day-to-day schedule will change, she responds, “I expect to be doing a lot more travel around our global business. We’ve always been passionate about retaining our ‘One Cundall’ ethos, and I see it as a key part of my role to help keep everyone connected with where we are headed, and to listen and respond to the feedback from people across the business. I’m also looking forward to meeting more of our clients and other leaders in the industry.”

Discussing some of her key short- and long-term goals, O’Neil outlines, “My short-term goals are to launch our new business strategy and to get people talking about it. I’ll be getting out to meet as many people as possible across the business and supporting our regional leadership teams in developing plans to implement the strategy in their own territories.”

“Long term goals include building a high-performance culture at all levels and in all parts of our business. Building on our reputation for working collaboratively with our clients to deliver great projects and delivering on our Zero Carbon Design 2030 commitments,” she points out.

Asked about her reaction to a recent report by the WMO that stated there is a 50:50 chance of global temperatures temporarily reaching the 1.5-degrees Celisus threshold in next five years, she states, “Our planet is witnessing a series of devastating climatic effects, and scientists cannot be clearer on the direct negative role humans are playing here. Without an immediate and global commitment to action, both short and long-term consequences will be terrible. Good faith efforts and traditional ESG initiatives are no longer sufficient, we must witness a complete societal transformation through more integrated and purposeful solutions, starting from the bottom up.”

“In my new capacity as Global Managing Partner, sustainability will be at the forefront of my agenda and all future company decisions. I plan to continuously invest in our teams to build the sustainable capabilities needed to effectively guide our clients and help stakeholders play a leading role in shaping the global sustainability agenda,” she adds.

“In 2020, we were recognised as the first consultancy worldwide to achieve the Net Zero Carbon Trust certification, following twelve years of data recordings. We fully understand the challenges at stake and aim to capitalise on these lessons learned to provide stakeholders with tangible tested solutions that can achieve Net Zero Carbon. At Cundall, we always strive to push the boundaries of the built environment and have set ourselves a new and even more ambitious goal: by 2030 every project we design will be zero carbon. We’re on a journey towards zero carbon in this decisive decade, and we invite everyone in the wider industry to join us in making zero carbon design 2030 a reality.”

Circling back to diversity and inclusion in the built environment, the issue has gained significant visibility in recent years, and progress has certainly been made, however MECN believes there’s still a significant journey ahead. Sister publication Middle East Consultant will continue to focus on this topic this year with its forthcoming Women in Construction Summit, which will take place on 25 October in Dubai.

Asked about her thoughts on the how the industry is progressing, she comments, “It’s not progressing at the pace I would like, but I think there are really positive signs that we’re starting to take this seriously as an industry. There is still a huge amount to do, and there are systemic issues that contribute to the lack of diversity that we continue to see. We’ve had success at Cundall in the last few years in beginning to address the challenges that under-represented groups can face at work; we’re seeing increasingly visible engagement at all levels within the business, and we’ve seen the proportion of women in our leadership roles double over the last two years. We have a responsibility to share our learning and experiences with others in the industry, and we are actively engaging more widely on this.”

One key issue with regards to this topic is the role the construction sector should play in influencing young people to think about careers in the built environment. Sharing her thoughts on this point, O’Neil says, “There is so much that we can offer, and the work that we do has such an enormous impact on the world, but as an industry we are not consistently good at selling the opportunities that exist.”

She concludes, “We need to continue to provide positive, relatable role models, and to showcase the amazing opportunities that exist within construction. We need to be doing this at the earliest possible stage, which means talking to primary school children and getting them involved in fun activities that reflect what we do is important. We must also be engaging with those who influence young people (parents, carers, teachers etc.), as so much of young people’s messaging comes from their home and school environments.”

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Source: ME Construction News

Powered access specialist, AFI group of companies, has started taking delivery of Manitou telehandlers in a major investment for its new rapidly growing AFI Lifting brand. The investment was made to meet extra demand from customers wanting to hire telehandlers for industry sectors like construction, material handling, housing and building maintenance, and to add to their powered access fleet with leading manufacturers.

Predominantly based in the UK, the group also has six depots in the Middle East through Access Rental Gulf, which is a member of the group, the company said in a statement.

“We are currently investing heavily in growing our telehandler rental fleet with leading manufacturers including Manitou. This order forms part of a bigger investment to increase our diverse telehandler fleet so we can offer customers a wide range of high-reaching versatile machines and a range of rotating handlers,” said Graham Hawkins Managing Director (Un-operated division) – South.

He added: “We plan to add more machines to the fleet as part of the wider investment. Operating within AFI, we have access to a strong, experienced engineering and transport team, supported by trained technicians, trained engineers, a good customer base and our 24/7 support service.”

AFI’s telehandlers range from 5m to 20m lift heights with load capacities from 2.4 tonnes to 12 tonnes. AFI Lifting is the new material lifting brand with a telehandler rental fleet offering nationwide coverage across the UK, utilising the AFI-Uplift depot network and transport fleet.

In June 2021, Xtreme Manufacturing launched the world’s tallest fixed boom telehandler, while in September, Snorkel unveiled its first lithium powered rough-terrain boom. In June 2022, JLG showed off the expanded augmented reality (AR) capabilities of its Augmented Reality App.

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Source: ME Construction News

Sustainability has become a key focus area for governments around the world, especially following recent calls for immediate global action on climate change. With the formation of the Glasgow Climate Pact – which saw 197 countries agree to a new climate deal at the conclusion of COP26 in 2021 – the next wave of nationally determined contributions to limit greenhouse gas emissions has bolstered a collective ambition to limit global warming to 1.5-degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average by 2100.

In the infrastructure domain, embedding circular models could be the ticket to greener infrastructure and sustainable construction practices. However, this is dependent on the public sector remaining firm on national climate plans and advocating stronger ownership, collaboration, and co-governance by stakeholders throughout the value chain.

Translating sustainability objectives into tangible practices throughout the various strata of the supply chain in the infrastructure space remains a key challenge. To address the gaps that exist, here are a few considerations towards how we can bridge gaps between government objectives and supply chain behaviours and strategies in order to deliver more sustainable, green infrastructure.

Sustainability as a business opportunity

Since the dawn of the first industrial revolution, nearly every sector has adopted a linear approach towards the ways in which goods are manufactured from raw materials, sold, consumed, and ultimately discarded. The same ethos exists in the infrastructure sphere, with by-products of the construction process often being discarded instead of re-utilised within the built environment.

Project owners and practitioners have the opportunity to use sustainability not only to minimise environmental damage but also to realise short-term fiscal savings and long-term value in infrastructure projects. By carefully considering their decisions on project location, design elements, construction methodology, material sourcing alternatives, and rerouting, project owners and practitioners can achieve considerable savings and deliver better quality.

For example, WSP Middle East worked with a key client in the GCC on using crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB) in producing more durable wearing course mixes. In 2020 alone, we were able to use 477 tonnes of recycled waste tyres, avoiding 143 tonnes of otherwise possible carbon emissions and delivering value in the form of better long-term pavement performance. With our client and contractors, we also recycled more than eight million tonnes of milled asphalt and used them as base-course materials. With recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), we reduced our demand for aggregate, which is a limited natural resource, and we reduced carbon emissions by 60,000 tonnes and led to significant cost savings.

The merits of ingraining sustainability within value management need to be clearly communicated to both project owners and their supply chains to reap the benefits of circularity in infrastructure rollout. By finding ways to share the cost savings resulting from recycling and other sustainability initiatives with designers, contractors, and suppliers, project owners can ensure that their objectives are cascaded down to the main parties in their supply chains, encouraging these organisations to embrace more sustainable practices.

Collaboration as an imperative

Encouraging higher-tier supply chain members to adopt sustainable practices is far less challenging than bringing lower-tier subcontractors and suppliers to embrace sustainability. This is particularly because of the minimal direct interaction between these organisations and project owners and their project managers. However, by obligating higher-tier members to prepare and implement sustainability plans that engage the lower-tier members, and by extending training opportunities to include them, project owners can ensure that the right behaviours are demonstrated and reinforced.

In recent years, sustainability certification has become increasingly popular as companies seek to demonstrate their environmental credentials. While certification is not a guarantee of true sustainability, it can be a useful tool for promoting best practices and raising awareness of the importance of sustainability within the supply chain. Project owners who have successfully obtained such certification can incentivise sustainable behaviours by helping their supply chain members with the certification process and by explaining the relevant standards.

Project owners and their advisors can also initiate sustainability award schemes that are inclusive of all supply chain members to ensure that all tiers are fully in line with the desired sustainability objectives. Our experience is that most supply chain members are eager for recognition from higher tiers and project owners. Such recognition is central to the reinforcement of the desired behaviours and a clear emphasis on the importance of sustainability as part of the owners’ strategy.

The generational shift and the role of trust

In many countries in the Middle East, younger populations are an influential demographic and demonstrate a strong environmental conscious towards matters that impact the future of our planet. This trend will only grow as this innovative, digitally native generation become change agents in the private and public sectors.

One bold action that organisations can make to maintain the authenticity of their sustainability initiatives is engaging young sustainability enthusiasts in management roles as early as possible. Engaging the brightest, most engaged thought leaders of this talent pool could ensure the continuity of sustainability plans and efforts and enable the utilisation of digital for the design, delivery, and management of more sustainable assets in the long term.

Despite the fact that sustainability has been on the global agenda for decades now, the world is still a long way from achieving sustainable development. In order to meet the challenges of the future, it is essential that we find ways to design, build and operate infrastructure in a more sustainable manner. For this to happen, project owners, practitioners and all members of the supply chain have to work hand in hand to find innovative ways to reduce resource consumption and achieve a Net Zero environmental impact.

The shift to renewables and the rise of new mobility modes using cleaner energy and the rise of new digital technologies for more efficient asset management are trends that will significantly support the adoption of sustainable practices as a doctrine by all those involved in the infrastructure industry. However, deliberate and systematic efforts are required to accelerate such adoption if we want to respond with enough agility to climate change.

Read more:

• The rise of sustainable construction trends in 2022 and beyond
• Capital Projects and Infrastructure: ‘The whole is greater than the sum of the parts’
• Making sense of the green agenda in real estate – Is ambition matched by reality?

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Source: ME Construction News

Jeddah Central Development Company (JCDC) has awarded the design contract for its Oceanarium and Coral Farm landmark building in its mega Jeddah Central Project to Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM).

In a statement, JCDC said it had organised a global design competition and received highly competitive entries from design firms from around the world. It explained that the competition required firms to create a visionary architectural design for the Oceanarium and Coral Farm building, while also capturing the cultural essence of Jeddah.

Entries would also have to maintain a destination that satisfies today’s market needs and finally after fulfilling all criteria SOM was declared the winner, the statement continued.

CEO Engineer Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Sulaim highlighted the company’s role in achieving a key PIF and Saudi Vision 2030 objective through diversifying and enriching the tourism and entertainment industries to help build a thriving economy and more vibrant society.

The masterplan for the Jeddah Central Project was first unveiled in December 2021.

“The signing of these contracts comes as part of our plans to develop a project that will contribute to the growth of the national economy and the creation of jobs for Saudi nationals, all while providing Jeddah residents and visitors with a wide range of cultural and recreational destinations,” he stated.

Once completed, the Oceanarium and Coral Farm will bring the underwater world right to visitors and cement Jeddah’s position as a regional and global sustainable marine conservation leader. The new landmark’s design will highlight Jeddah’s authentic architecture and reflect its contemporary identity, while adhering to international standards, the statement said.

Chief Development Officer Paul O’Brien said the construction of the new landmarks will help attract both local and global quality investments for the development and operation of the JCDC’s unique facilities.

It will pave the way for investors to participate in the creation of new promising economic sectors in one of Saudi Arabia’s most attractive areas, he concluded.

In March 2022, JCDC inked a deal for land for Phase One of the Jeddah Central project, and in early June, JCDC said that Dar Al Handasah will be responsible for the design and technical consultation of the project’s masterplan.

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Source: ME Construction News

Big Project Middle East (BPME) has announced that its popular Middle East BIM Summit (ME BIM Summit) will undergo a transformation in 2022, and will become the Digital Construction Summit. The new summit will have a far broader mandate and will take place on 14 September, at The Oberoi in Business Bay, Dubai.

The live event will bring together speakers from developers, consultants, contractors, solutions providers and more from across the region, and will feature panel discussions, presentations and networking opportunities. As before, registration is free for construction professionals wishing to attend.

Middle East Construction News (MECN) caught up with Gavin Davids, Head of Editorial and Content at BPME to discuss the construction sector’s adoption of technology, and the refocused event.

Asked about his thoughts on whether the regional construction industry is now up to par in terms of its adoption of technology and new delivery methods or if there’s still room for improvement, he notes, “While there has been a considerable uptake in the adoption of technology and digitalisation of construction workflows and processes, there is still a long way to go before it becomes ubiquitous. Currently, the major adopters are the larger organisations – the MNC consultants, the large-scale contractors and international developers, but it has yet to filter down to the rest of the industry.”

Ali Sajwani, General Manager – Operations at DAMAC and CEO of D-Labs sat down with MECN to share his thoughts on how the UAE is future-proofing by being a Metaverse champion.

He adds, “The challenge is that many small to medium sized firms and companies are still concerned with the upfront costs and are wary of the initial lack of ROI. These attitudes need to be changed as the future is digital and there is no going back to the traditional way of doing things.”

Asked about the idea behind refocusing the event and what some of his goals are for the Summit, Davids responds, “While the ME BIM Summit started out as a conversation about the benefits of BIM and growing awareness about it, over the last nine years there has been a gradual shift in tone and focus. As the general acceptance of BIM has grown, our attendees have become increasingly curious about the different benefits other technologies can bring to the industry – particularly from other sectors and spheres.”

“This has resulted in discussions about the use of Data, Digital Twins, Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing, Automation and Robotics, to name just a few. Therefore, we felt that the time was right for us to move the conversation beyond BIM and use the summit as a platform to discuss and shape the narrative around the myriad of technologies and innovations that are now available to the modern construction professional.”

Commenting on some of the key themes of the event, he notes that the summit will focus on several key narratives including: The Impact of Data across the Lifecycle of a Project and How to Properly Action It; Taking the Construction Process off the Site and Into the Factory; The Benefits of Technology and Data in Managing and Operating Real Estate Assets; and The Rise of Robotics and how they can Answer the Construction Industry’s Needs.

He adds, “Of course, we will also be working with our partners and stakeholders to deliver a fully rounded and comprehensive message to our audience.”

Davids notes that the agenda and speakers for the event will appear on the website in the coming weeks. Asked about what he’d like delegates to take away from the event, he states, “That they learnt something and that they were able to meet speakers and presenters who inspired them to change the way they think about the construction process.”

He concludes, “There is a tremendous appetite for knowledge in the local and regional construction industry – people want to know how they can change and evolve their companies and their processes, and I would like this event to help them along on their journey. It is an invaluable opportunity for people to get know those who are leading the way forward, but also to bring their own ideas and questions to the table.”

The City of Paris recently announced the completion of an international design competition to update the Notre-Dame de Paris’ surroundings. The competition was underpinned by BIM technology. In the UAE, further highlighting the importance of technology in the built environment, the Dubai Municipality recently launched several technical activities relating to 3D printing technologies. Omnix and Abu Dhabi Municipality also announced that they worked together over the last few months to conduct sessions aimed at equipping AEC firms with deeper insights into making a smooth transition to BIM.

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Source: ME Construction News

Omnix has announced that it has been collaborating with Abu Dhabi Municipality over the past few months, to conduct several online and in-person panel discussion and roundtables. The sessions were aimed at equipping AEC firms with deeper insights into making a smooth transition to BIM.

The move is said to be in response to a mandate by Abu Dhabi Municipality, which calls for BIM to be used across all infrastructure projects irrespective of size, stage or discipline. Autodesk also collaborated with Omnix and the Abu Dhabi authority on the sessions.

BIM collaboration software makes the construction process more accessible by putting models into the hands of the entire project team in a coordinated fashion to accelerate reviews and identify and resolve challenges earlier. This eliminates many inefficiencies in the planning phase, saving costs during the construction process. McKinsey found that 75% of companies that have adopted BIM reported positive returns on their investments, the statement from Omnix noted.

“We understand how important it is for us to educate customers on the upcoming BIM mandates. The events that Omnix has been conducting are not only facilitating this objective but are also playing a huge part in bringing together industry leaders and peers and enabling discussions around BIM software and how the city can benefit from it,” said Simran Bagga, Head of Engineering, Omnix International.

Omnix has made major inroads into educating customers by facilitating platforms, where they can interact with industry leaders and understand the importance of BIM. The company has helped organisations embark onto their digital transformation journeys, where all stakeholders ranging from designers to consultants, contractors and architects understand how their role will be transformed and the protocols they need to adhere to, the firm pointed out.

It added, it is necessary for all CAD users to learn and understand how they can leverage different Autodesk software solutions to round off the implementation process and close the loop.

Bagga concluded, “The BIM focused events that Omnix has conducted have been an eye opener on how customers are keen to learn about the implications of the BIM mandates. The open discussions have thrown up hours of valid material that have addressed relevant industry challenges especially in relation to the transition phase. Other areas of interest included qualification criteria as well as best practices. As a long-standing partner for Autodesk in the Middle East, we are committed to showcase how the specific BIM solutions will help improve productivity within the construction sector and support our customers with the right training and consultation through this transition across planning and execution.”

The City of Paris recently announced the completion of an international design competition to update the Notre-Dame de Paris’ surroundings. The competition was underpinned by BIM technology.

Digital construction tools to improve the design, delivery and management of projects will be the focus of Big Project Middle East’s Digital Construction Summit. The event is scheduled to take place in Dubai on 14 September at The Oberoi, and is free to attend for construction professionals.

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Source: ME Construction News

Mecalac has brought a range of new compact loaders to the market to meet a need for small multi-purpose articulated loaders in the construction, rental and agricultural sectors. According to the company, its loaders and skid-steers are gradually replacing other types of machines such as tractors due to greater versatility, agility and safety in its various applications.

The new Mecalac MCL range includes six models, from 1.74-to-2.85 tonnes: four models with long boom (Standard) to fit the needs of the agricultural segment; two models with short boom to fit the needs of the construction segment.

The MCL4+ and MCL6+, which have been designed with short arm versions to meet the specific needs of the construction sector, offer an increased tipping load, said the company. The new range adds to the multi-purpose equipment already available at Mecalac through five product lines: excavators, loaders, backhoe loaders, site dumpers and compaction rollers.

All the machines will be available in three versions: canopy, canopy with foldable top or cab version, and all with a wide selection of attachments. The new MCL loaders can be equipped with Mecalac’s latest comfort and driver assistance technologies, including: M-Drive, Speed-control, MyMecalac Connected Services and Start-up digicode.

In the last year, Mecalac has announced a slew of new products. In May 2021, it launched its 3.5MDX cabbed site dumper, following which, in June, it upgraded its MDX site dumper range with new models and features. In May 2022, the firm revealed three new swing loaders.

The post Mecalac introduces new range of six compact loaders appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Geotechnical specialist contractor Keller has secured a major piling contract for The Line, which is being developed within Saudi Arabia’s $500bn futuristic city, Neom. It said that it is one of a small number of geotechnical contractors to have been selected to undertake work on the giga project, which is located in the Tabuk Province of northwest Saudi Arabia.

The company said that is has signed an umbrella framework agreement with respect to the project and was mobilising for an anticipated first works order on a portion of Module 40, which has an expected value to Keller of around $61.3mn, with the work anticipated to be completed within the next 12 months.

A 170km belt of hyperconnected future communities without cars and roads and built around nature, The Line is subdivided into approximately 135 modules, each containing eight buildings founded on large diameter bored piles, a statement from Keller said. The first element of the Neom project is ‘The Line’, starting in the west at the Gulf of Aqaba, continuing through the Sharma Valley and terminating at the Neom International Airport within the upper valley region. Further works orders are expected to be awarded later in the year on subsequent modules, Keller stated.

Keller pointed out that it had a longstanding presence in Saudi Arabia and was delighted to have been invited to participate in Neom.

“Following the signing of the framework agreement we are very well positioned to participate in the future geotechnical work, with the potential to generate contract revenues in the hundreds of million pounds in future years,” said a company spokesman.

Ahead of its H1 financial results, the German geotechnical contractor said that it expects 2022 to be a year of growth, with full year performance to have the customary second half weighting, and to reflect its usual increase in trading momentum as the year progresses.

Keller Group CEO Michael Speakman said: “Our delivery in line with our first half expectations and the group’s record and growing £1.5bn order book provides confidence for our performance in the second half and delivering on our expectations for the full year. Our involvement in the prestigious Neom project, together with a number of recent infrastructure and LNG contract wins, evidences the diversity and inherent resilience of the Group across the macroeconomic cycle.

He concluded, “The underlying strength of the group’s performance provides confidence in our longer-term prospects and is reflected in the board’s decision to recommence the progressive dividend policy with a 5% increase in the interim dividend for the first half of 2022.”

In March 2022, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman unveiled a new mountain tourism project in Neom, following which, in the same month, Neom launched a new subsidiary to develop sustainable energy and water systems. In May, Neom and Saudia announced their intent to kick off weekly air service to international destinations.

The post Keller secures major piling contract for The Line in Neom appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

In line with Dubai’s 3D Printing Strategy, Dubai Municipality (DM) has launched several technical activities centred around 3D printing technology – including building engineering consultancy, building contracting and ready-mix concrete casting.

The organisation said that in accordance with Decree No. 24 of 2021, it is undertaking the development and implementation of an integrated system to plan, design, and implement construction works using the 3D printing technology as per the approved engineering standards and specifications. This is an important step towards strengthening Dubai’s leading position as the first city in the world to adopt a 3D printing strategy and regulate the usage of this advanced technology in the construction sector, the statement added.

Dawoud Al-Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: “Dubai Municipality aims to regulate the use of the 3D printing technology by organising and promoting it and providing support and consultation to start-ups in the field. This will be in addition to inviting international companies to enter this field in Dubai, as part of our directives to make Dubai an international hub for 3D printing activities. 3D printing is an advanced technology which has been advancing rapidly in many sectors around the world, which is supposed to contribute to reducing cost and time. We aim to enhance the use of this technology through the new activities launched by Dubai Municipality for contractors and consultants.”

The new activities by Dubai Municipality are aimed at fostering consultancy firms, contractors, and factories to construct all types of buildings, from the start to the end, using 3D printing and AI technology. These activities are available to new companies and can also be added to the current activities of consulting firms, contracting companies and factories. They will directly contribute to the job market and help with the implementation of this technology, resulting in an increase in the number of buildings constructed using 3D printing in Dubai, it said.

In August 2021, a new law was introduced concerning the use of 3D printing in the UAE construction sector.

Registration Steps

Interested company owners or license holders can apply for these new activities by registering for practicing engineering professions in the Dubai Engineering Qualification System, through Dubai Municipality website, by choosing the activity name and then linking the required engineers to it. The Municipality also provides the names of approved consulting firms, contractors, and factories specialising in construction using the 3D printing technology through its smart apps in addition to its official website.

Furthermore, the municipality has set requirements to qualify and classify the issuance of practice permits for licensed companies.

The Municipality’s Responsibilities

In accordance with the Decree No. 24 of 2021 pertinent to regulating the use of 3D printing in construction works in the emirate, Dubai Municipality is responsible for regulating this technology, issuing licenses, and monitoring construction works. This will be done by developing and implementing an integrated system to plan, design, and execution of construction and structural works using 3D printing technology and ensuring its use in accordance with approved engineering standards and specifications, as well as qualifying, registering, and classifying engineers and contractors who use 3D printing technology in their work.

Its responsibilities also include determining the tests to be conducted on the raw materials, the synthetic additives, the mixtures used in construction works and any other tests to be conducted on the structural components of buildings constructed using the 3D printing technology. The Municipality will supervise the creation of a database of the construction works implemented in the Emirate using the 3D printing technology, with a view to facilitating access to the data and information required for establishing the technical specifications and standards.

The Municipality will also conduct technical studies and experiments and cooperate with research, scientific, and engineering entities specialised in this field to develop this technology. It will also prepare templates for the contracts related to the 3D printing technology and enter partnerships with international establishments and specialised consultancies to promote the use of this technology and derive the maximum benefit from it.

In 2019, the Dubai Municipality entered the Guinness Book of World Records for constructing the world’s largest 3D printed building, which is a two-story building with a height of 9.5m at a total area of 640sqm.

In November 2021, the Guinness World Record recognised the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) for setting up the world’s first 3D-printing laboratory. In the same month, it was revealed that the MoEI is building the UAE’s first 3D printed government facility.

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Source: ME Construction News