Civil aviation authorities in Kuwait have said that steady progress is being made on the new passenger terminal building project (T2) at Kuwait International Airport.

Construction works on Phase One of the project are said to be 73% complete, with 68.1% of works complete on Phase Two of T2, according to Acting Director General for (Civil Aviation) Saad Al Otaibi.

The development projects in the airport, as well as the modernisation work of the infrastructure in the air transport sector in the country will continue, he stated. He added that the new passenger terminal was of top priority for the government.

The project is being implemented in three phases with the first comprising the passenger terminal, central station, and the connection to service tunnels.

The second phase involves car parks, service buildings, and roads leading to the new passenger terminal (T2), while the third phase covers aircraft parking and taxiways.

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A joint development agreement has been inked between Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. The agreement will see the development of a one gigawatt (GW) wind project with a battery energy storage system (BESS).

Masdar said it has also inked a deal to explore the feasibility of establishing a green hydrogen plant near the Port of Aqaba, which will use desalinated seawater and dedicated renewable power to produce cost-competitive hydrogen. This is said to be part of its goal to achieve one million tonnes of green hydrogen production by 2030.

Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi signed the deal with the Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Saleh Al Kharabsheh at COP28 in the presence of UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President and Masdar Chairman Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Jordan Minister of the Environment Dr Muawieh Khalid Radaideh.

“With substantial wind and solar resources that can be used to generate large amounts of renewable energy and produce cost-competitive green hydrogen and green fuels, Jordan has the potential to become a global powerhouse in the green energy transition,” explained Al Ramahi.

He added, “Building on the strength of our longstanding partnership, Masdar is delighted to bring our expertise in clean energy projects and technologies to help Jordan achieve its decarbonisation plans and unlock the nation’s enormous potential.”

Masdar already had a substantial presence in Jordan through its Baynouna Solar Energy Company (BSCE), a joint venture with Finnish investment and asset management group Taaleri, which inaugurated the 200MW Baynouna Solar Park, the largest clean energy project in Jordan, in February.

Dr Al Kharabsheh added, “The Jordanian government’s efforts continue to enhance Jordan’s role as a regional centre for green energy production and provide high-quality, cost-competitive green hydrogen fuel by taking advantage of the abundance of renewable energy sources and our nation’s strategic geographical location in the region to provide excellent access to European markets.”

He pointed out that Jordan valued co-operation at the regional and national level, and that the partnership with Masdar – through the signing of these agreements – would help advance the ministry’s priorities and Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision (2023-2033). This includes investment in green hydrogen production projects, which are part of Jordan’s initiatives to transition towards the use of clean energy as it aims to achieve Net Zero, he concluded.

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has given the go-ahead for 10 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) portfolio projects for the 2024-26 period, with an estimated value of US $681mn.

The move is in line with Dubai Government’s strategy to foster public-private partnerships aimed to boost the emirate’s economic growth, by expanding the role of the private sector in the development of infrastructure and the delivery of services.

The projects listed in the Dubai Portfolio for PPPs include the ‘Union 71’ project, a comprehensive residential and commercial complex adjacent to the Union Station of the Dubai Metro, a key interchange station between the Red and Green Lines. The urban transit-oriented development project integrates commercial and residential units and retail outlets with the underground metro station, said the RTA in its statement.

With its proximity and accessibility to the metro, public buses, and marine transport stations, the project will serve and ease the mobility of mass transport riders from all spectrums of the community.

The portfolio also comprises a multi-level parking terminal in Port Saeed & Al Karama, Deira Plaza; smart street lighting; aerial taxi and smart platforms for transport and rental vehicles – as well as housing quarters for drivers in Al Khawaneej, Al Ruwayah, Al Awir, and Jebel Ali.

The list also includes upgrading of the commercial development at Al Karama Bus Station and a ‘sky garden’ suspended bridge over Dubai Creek.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, said the endorsement of the PPP portfolio stems from RTA’s commitment to enhancing partnership with the private sector and adopting top international practices. He explained that it seeks to map out a comprehensive framework to support public-private partnerships, improve the regulatory environment for long-term collaborations, introduce innovative solutions, and create new opportunities in the mobility and finance fields.

Al Tayer pointed out that RTA had a track record of pioneering experiences in constructing various infrastructure projects in the fields of roads and transport. “Notable among these is the project to establish three comprehensive rest stops for trucks, along with 16 laybys for trucks strategically located across the emirate. The project is the first of its kind in the region,” he concluded.

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The development of a solar photovoltaic power plant with a targeted aggregate capacity of up to 1,000MW is set to take shape in Malaysia, following the signing of a deal between Malakoff Corporation and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar). The deal also outlined the research and development of other renewable energy projects in the region.

The agreement was signed by Malakoff’s Managing Director and Group CEO Encik Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib and Masdar’s CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi at COP28.

The agreement stipulates that both parties will jointly conduct technical and commercial assessments and/or pre-feasibility studies on specific projects that have been identified. The firms will also collaboratively handle the comprehensive tasks and activities involved in the project’s development, implementation and management, including the structuring of financing funds.

In pursuit of a strategic two-phase implementation, the collaboration aims to significantly enhance Malakoff’s renewable energy portfolio, which is said to align with their unwavering commitment to sustainability and strategically leveraging expertise from both parties for mutual growth and success, said a report.

On the strategic collaboration, Abdul Ajib said it is timely when looking at the critical need for sustainable energy solutions amidst climate challenges. He stated, “This collaboration stands as a testament to Malakoff’s robust expansion in renewable energy aligning not only with the global call to action but also resonating with Malaysia’s ambitious objective of achieving Net Zero status by 2050.”

The move is also said to underscore Malakoff’s corporate commitment to making meaningful contributions toward addressing the urgent global imperative for sustainability.

Masdar said it had also recently signed a MoU with Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), for the development of 10,000MW worth of projects in Malaysia at an investment of $8bn.

Al Ramahi said, “We are very proud to be strengthening our support for Malaysia’s renewable energy ambitions with this partnership. As a clean energy pioneer with over 17 years of experience in deploying renewable and clean energy projects at scale, we look forward to helping build Malaysia’s renewable energy capacity with this agreement in support of its Net-Zero targets.”

To date, Malakoff holds a total of 151MW of renewable energy generating capacity under its portfolio consisting of projects acquired for large scale solar, rooftop solar and small hydro power generation, the report concluded.

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UAE-based Aqua Properties has announced plans to launch two major projects – worth US $817mn – in Dubai within the next six months.

Among the upcoming projects is a 50-storey luxury tower on Sheikh Zayed Road and the development of an extensive 300,000sqft plot, the largest land parcel within the Arjan neighbourhood.

Aqua has already completed four residential and commercial projects in the UAE and three more are currently under way.

Aqua Properties’ Founder, Ali Tumbi, commented, “Currently overseeing three ongoing projects with two more in the pipeline, including upscale apartments and strategically located mixed-use developments, Aqua Properties stands at the forefront of innovative real estate solutions. The noteworthy completed projects include J5, J8, O Ten, and Mysk, contributing to positive client responses, high occupancy rates in completed projects, and robust investor interest in ongoing developments.”

Aqua Properties has now set an ambitious goal to deliver over 500 residential and commercial units in the first quarter of 2024.

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A US $383mn contract has been awarded for the development of the Oman Cultural Complex. The project is expected to be spread over an area of 400,000sqm in Muscat. The project, which is being set up in the Madinat Al Irfan district, will be completed within a three-year period.

According to a report, Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, signed the agreement with a consortium of two companies for the project.

The Oman Cultural Complex is said to be a modern landmark and an edifice featuring the country’s civilisation, culture, scholarly accomplishments, and institutional entity.

The new cultural district brings together three major buildings around a wide, central square – the Oman National Theatre, which boasts a 1,000-seat auditorium and a 250-seat flexible auditorium; the 20,000sqm five-storey National Library and the National Archives partially open to the public, including nearly 20km of archival shelf-displays.

The complex also features an exhibition centre, a cultural centre and a cinema, the report concluded.

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Saudi officials have announced plans to spend US $92bn to transform Riyadh ahead of Expo 2030. The investment aims to make Riyadh one of the most sustainable cities through initiatives, including the King Salman Park Initiative and Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), as well decarbonisation of the urban transport – within the next seven years.

Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud, the Vice Minister of Tourism, was speaking during the third edition of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum, which opened on the sidelines of COP28. Senior Saudi officials took to the stage to discuss the Kingdom’s sustainable urbanisation progress.

“One of those ways is to have more green spaces, and it’s the King Salman Park Initiative that we are going to develop in the middle of the city to enhance and create that,” she explained.

Under SGI, more than 43m trees and shrubs have been planted across the Kingdom since it was set up in 2021, with 94,000ha of degraded land (equivalent to 146,000 football fields) being rehabilitated across the country.

In his address, Saleh Al Jasser, Minister of Transportation, Saudi Arabia, highlighted some of the actions being undertaken across the Kingdom to decarbonise urban transport.

“We are implementing remote work in government agencies, which helps reduce demand for daily travel. To shift to less carbon intensive modes of transport, we have set ambitious targets to increase the share of public transport, with the Riyadh bus and metro projects well underway,” Al Jasser concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

Big 5 Global: Unite the Global Construction Community

Big 5 Global, known as the largest and most influential event for the construction industry, has been at the forefront of bringing together real estate developers, architects, contractors, engineers, consultants, manufacturers, and distributors from around the world, since its inception in 1979.

This year marks the 44th edition of the event, set to welcome over 100,000 participants from 150+ countries. With access to cutting-edge built environment solutions, premium strategic content, technical workshops, and prestigious awards, the event has become a pivotal platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and forging long-lasting business relationships.

Discover How ZWCAD Empowers the Construction Industry

ZWSOFT is proud to be a part of Big 5 Global, where our team will showcase its latest innovative CAx solutions to industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.

At ZWSOFT’s booth, visitors can immerse themselves in a series of informative mini-seminars designed to delve into critical topics and streamline the contractors’ and designers‘ workflows, including ‘ZWCAD, A Highly Compatible and Efficient 2D CAD Software’,”Collaborate Using ZWCAD Mobile App”, and so on. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to experience ZWCAD’s powerful features firsthand and engage in discussions with experts from the ZWSOFT Middle East team. These experts will provide dedicated product demos and share insights into industry trends and best practices, offering a pathway to success within Dubai’s dynamic construction landscape.

ZWSOFT is committed to facilitating industry professionals to succeed with its cutting-edge CAx solutions. Meet ZWSOFT at the Big 5 Global in Dubai to explore the future of the construction industry.

Details:

Expo Name: Big 5 Global
Expo Date: 4 – 7 December 2023
Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre
Booth Number: SS1 D28
Get Free Tickets: Welcome | Big 5 Global 2023
Expo Website: Big 5 Global | 4 – 7 December 2023 | Dubai World Trade Centre
Exhibitor: ZWSOFT

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Source: ME Construction News

The Big Project Middle East and Middle East Consultant editorial teams have confirmed that over 130 individuals attended the 2023 edition of the Construction Intel Summit KSA. The event featured 25 speakers from key regional and international firms, who discussed and debated a variety of topics relating to the vibrant Saudi construction market.

The event opened with a welcome address from Paul Godfrey, Head of Content at Middle East Consultant, following which, the event’s first panel discussion of the day began ‘Growing the Kindgom’s Talent Pool and Retaining Knowledge’. The panel discussed: what players in the built environment have already achieved in alignment with the nation’s focus on Saudisation; is the industry on track to support and achieve Saudisation goals by 2030; what challenges private construction firms face, and what initiatives can the government role out to enable them to develop and retain motivated Saudi talent, and more.

The session was moderated by Reem Seraj, Business Support and Vision 2030 Realisation Manager, Saudi Arabia at AtkinsRéalis, with speakers including: Clive Cashin, Project Director, Saudi Arabia, Serco; Faiyad Peterson, Country Director – KSA, Cundall; Laeeq Hassan, Associate Director & Chair of the RICS KSA MAP / Mace Arabia & Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor (RICS); Marcus Taylor, Partner, Taylor Sterling, and Hrvoje Cindric, Director – Middle East Planning Lead, Buro Happold.

The session was followed by a presentation from Thinkproject’s Yazan Alshalan, which was titled ‘Unleashing Technology’s Potential for Smart Construction and Operations in Giga Projects’.

The Driving Giga-Project Success panel was split into two parts, with the first focusing on data and the shape of project success. The session was moderated by Paul Godfrey, with speakers including: Allison Wicks, Quality Integration Specialist, Qualitaz; Ben Jackson, Head of Project and Development Services for the Middle East & Africa, JLL; Cary Kopczynski, CEO & Senior Principal, CKC and Nivine Issa, Founder & Managing Director, Terra Nexus.

Polypipe Middle East’s Adam Smith then engaged in a fireside chat with Paul Godfrey on the topic of advanced water management in today’s mega-projects. The session looked at the innovation in drainage and water management that has accompanied the growth in scale of KSA’s projects.

The second part of the second panel discussion, which focused on cost and supply chain then took part. This segment was moderated by Mohamed Moussa, Member of the RICS Engagement Group – KSA / Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, KSA, with speakers including: Ahmed Abdelrazek, Senior Consultant, TBH; Darren Burke, General Manager, ALEC Engineering & Contracting; Fernando Freitas,  Director, Omnium International Limited; Mitesh Bavdekar, Director, KPM Engineering and Wees Abraham, VP – Operations & Strategy, Shade Corporation.

Following the lunch break, another fireside chat took place. Here, Paul Godfrey spoke to Paul Sweeney, Development & Program Director at Compass Project Consulting about the key initiatives and focus areas that businesses need to invest in, if they are to successfully drive forward challenging giga-project timelines and deliver the complex matrices of project management.

The final panel discussion of the day took a deep dive into ‘Sustainable Infrastructure’ in the Kingdom. The session discussed the current state of urban infrastructure development within the Kingdom’s giga-projects and how some of the issues that have arisen have been tackled; what has been planned in terms of sustainable energy and water infrastructure and what has been delivered; the development of next generation mobility solutions including air taxis, and more.

The session was moderated by Karie Akeelah, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins with speakers including: Ahmed Sayed, Middle East Business Development Manager, ACCIONA; John Shenton, Chair of Dubai Hub at CIOB; Michael Marriott, Infrastructure Manager – KSA, KEO International Consultants, and Kamal Farah, Director, Desert Board.

The final presentation of the day was delivered by Jens Otterstedt, General Manager, Al Masaood Bergum on modular construction and how it is enabling dramatic improvements in the speed of construction and brings many advantages, and can also provide significant advantages in terms of sustainability.

The 2023 Construction Intel Summit KSA was supported by:

Strategic Content Partner: ALEC Engineering & Contracting
Silver Sponsor: AECOM, AtkinsRealis, Desert Board, KEO, K Tech Consulting,
Bronze Sponsor: Thinkproject
Supporting Partners: Al Masood, Climatize, Compass Project Consulting, Cundall, JLL, Omnium, Polypipe, TBH Consultancy
Endorsed by: Chartered Institute of Building, American Concrete Institute

To learn more about the 2023 Construction Intel Summit KSA, please click here.

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