Big Project ME October 2020

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October 2020

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THE BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION

Evolving with the Times MASOOD AL AWAR, CEO, MEDALLION ASSOCIATES SHARES HIS INSIGHTS ON THE STATE OF THE UAE’S REAL ESTATE MARKET AND WHY DEVELOPERS NEED A DIGITAL STRATEGY

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INDUSTRIAL WATER REUSE:

1

CONTENTS

October 2020

08

16

18

20

28

40

ANALYSIS

FEATURES

INSIGHT

08

The briefing

20

34

Comments

The big picture

Gavin Davids speaks to Masood Al Awar, CEO of Medallion Associates about how developers need to evolve and adapt to survive in these challenging times

36

Tenders

Progress report

Experts discuss how smart surveying is helping Saudi Aramco and how emerging technology is challenging the status quo

12

In profile Masood Al Awar

The industry’s brightest minds share their thoughts on a variety of topics and issues impacting the construction industry

Providing a wrap-up of the biggest local, regional and international construction news stories

28

Big Project ME, in association with ProTenders, provides the biggest tenders for the month of October 2020

16

Market report

Big Project ME learns how heavy-lift specialists, Marr Contracting helped deliver Turkey’s new 1915 Çanakkale Bridge

40

18

Analysis

JLL report looks at the impact of Route 2020 on the neighbourhoods around it

Project profile Misson Marrs

Omniyat says 90% of work on luxury development One at the Palm Jumeriah in Dubai has been completed

Thomas Bradley of Mobile Mini, explains why he thinks the pandemic will help push the construction industry forwards, starting with the UK

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

2

WELCOME

Introduction

Have you got a digital strategy?

A

s we move towards the end of the year, it’s interesting to see how companies are adapting and adjusting to the ‘New Normal’, with digital transformation becoming a major priority across a number of industries and sectors.

Construction has been no different, and as we’ve previously covered, companies are investing heavily in accelerating their digital transformation journeys as they strive to catch up with the rest of the world. While you would naturally except contractors and consultants to embrace this process, given that they are the ones on site and executing projects, it’s been interesting to see that developers are also getting involved wholly-heartedly.

For this month’s main interview, I spoke to Masood Al Awar, CEO of Medallion Associates, a globally networked real estate investment advisory firm. Having served at prominent developers such as Dubai Properties and Emaar Properties over a 30-year career, which included stints in both the banking industry and government organisations, Masood is uniquely positioned to understand

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

the challenges the industry is facing today.

Which is why it’s interesting to hear him say that developers need to adopt a digital strategy sooner, rather than later, if they want to survive in a market that remains fragmented and immature from a supply side.

While the immediate focus would be on creating digital portals that would allow customers to view properties in a safe and secure manner, he believes that over time, developers will need to embrace technology, not just from a sales point of view, but also in terms of developing projects that can integrates with the demands of smart, digitally enabled cities.

This is a topic we’ll be exploring in some depth at the 5th edition of the ME BIM Summit from November 23 – 25, 2020. For the first time, we’re going to be holding a completely virtual summit, and while this has been forced upon us by the pandemic, I do think it’s fitting to hold a technology-focused summit that utilises the very tools that we’ll need to thrive in a digitally-enabled industry.

If you’re interested in speaking at the summit, please do drop me a line.

Gavin Davids

GROUP EDITOR gavin.davids@cpitrademedia.com @MECN_Gavin MEConstructionNews me-construction-news

Tafawuq provides technology driven integrated facilities management solutions to a wide range of clients in various sectors focusing on residential, commercial and mixed use communities

4

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October 2020

MEConstructionNews.com

THE BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION

Group MANAGING DIRECTOR Raz Islam raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com MANAGING PARTNER Vijaya Cherian vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com

Editorial

Evolving with the Times MASOOD AL AWAR, CEO, MEDALLION ASSOCIATES SHARES HIS INSIGHTS ON THE STATE OF THE UAE’S REAL ESTATE MARKET AND WHY DEVELOPERS NEED A DIGITAL STRATEGY

GROUP EDITOR Gavin Davids gavin.davids@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5480 JUNIOR REPORTER Angitha Pradeep angitha.pradeep@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5479 SUB EDITOR Aelred Doyle aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com

Advertising COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Jude Slann jude.slann@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5714 HEAD OF KEY PROJECTS Andy Pitois andy.pitois@cpitrademedia.com +44 7816 843610

ON THE COVER

Big Project ME speaks to Masood Al Awar, CEO of Medallion Associates, about the urgent need for the UAE’s developers to evolve with the times they find themselves in MEConstructionNews.com @meconstructionn MEConstructionNews me-construction-news

Design CREATIVE DIRECTOR Simon Cobon simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DESIGNER Percival Manalaysay percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com

Photography PHOTOGRAPHER Maksym Poriechkin maksym.poriechkin@cpitrademedia.com

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Circulation & Production PRODUCTION MANAGER Vipin V. Vijay vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Phinson Mathew George phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476

Web Development The publisher of this magazine has made every effort to ensure the content is accurate on the date of publication. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the publisher and editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content are published in good faith. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher in writing. Publication licensed by Dubai Development Authority to CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC. Printed by Al Salam Printing Press LLC. CPI Trade Media. PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE. +971 4 375 5470 cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2020. All rights reserved.

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

WEB DEVELOPER Abdul Baeis abdul.baeis@cpitrademedia.com WEB DEVELOPER Sadiq Siddiqui sadiq.siddiqui@cpitrademedia.com FOUNDER Dominic De Sousa (1959-2015)

26 January 2021 Ritz Carlton JBR, Dubai United Arab Emirates

The prestigious Big Project Middle East Awards deserves its place as one of the most important forums recognizing the most influential and successful people and companies in the construction industry. Those in the industry that demonstrate their commitment to excellence.

The award night event always offers a wonderful opportunity for networking with leaders in all sectors involved in the delivery of major projects; from clients and important developers to well-known consultants and contractors.

It’s a must evening to attend.

DONNA SULTAN

President & CEO KEO International Consultants

Award Nomination Enquiries Gavin Davids | +971 4 375 5480 gavin.davids@cpitrademedia.com Table Booking & Sponsorship Jude Slann | +971 4 375 5714 jude.slann@cpitrademedia.com

BigProjectMEAwards.com

6

ONLINE

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

READERS’ COMMENTS

RTA ANNOUNCES

JGC Corporation secures $3.7bn refinery contract in Iraq

HOUSING PROJECT FOR 3,000 BUS DRIVERS

I think we all agree that providing a sustainable and healthy living environment should be a priority for any CONSTRUCTION

organisation that needs

AECOM appointed to design role for infrastructure on NEOM

to provide housing for its workforce, and it is great to see that this is a major focus of the RTA (Dubai’s Roads And

Insight: CCL Engineering helps deliver design intent at Eden Roc Cyprus development

Transport Authority).

I think that most of us – at best - have

FLEET

been guilty of taking

Al-Futtaim HINO delivers 200 trucks to National Food Product Company

professional drivers for granted over the years. At worst, many of us have bemoaned the standards of their driving and the impact that has on the quality of our lives. The last six months has forced

CONSTRUCTION

me to re-think these

Marafiq consortium closes $280m deal for financing of ISTP in Jeddah

pre-conceptions. Drivers have continued to do their job while the rest of us have been safe at home. It is time that we give them the appreciation they deserve, and it is great

CONSULTANT

JIIC awards design contract for homes in Phase One on Jubail Island October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

Opinion: Evaporative cooling strategies for energy and water conservation survey

to see the RTA agrees.

Name withheld by request

THE X7

STARTING FROM AED AGMC Customer Interaction Centre 800-AGMC (2462) Email: bmw@agmc.ae Online Stock Locator: www.findyourbmw.ae Web: www.bmw-dubai.com AGMC – A Member of Albatha Automotive Group.

399,000.

8

THE BRIEFING

Digitisation

Mapping the Future MIDDLE EAST

Big Project ME learns how Saudi Aramco is working with survey specialist GCS to blueprint critical refinery upgrades

S

audi Aramco is one of the largest and most profitable company in the world – its revenues in 2018 topped $356 billion. It is also the most valuable business ever created, with its worth in 2019 estimated to be more than $1.39 trillion. Having developed the world’s largest single hydrocarbon network, the Master Gas System, Saudi Aramco owns the world’s largest onshore and offshore oil fields - the Ghawar and Safaniya fields.

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

Since 1945, one of the lynchpins in its output has been the Ras Tanura refinery, the oldest refinery on the Persian Gulf coast, located south of the modern industrial port city of Jubail. Undeniably part of the region’s industrial culture, the refinery has seen many changes and modernisation initiatives - leading to its present scale, which features a crude distillation capacity of 550,000 barrels per day.

Major facilities at the refinery complex include a 325,000bpd crude distillation unit, a 225,000bpd gas condensate distillation unit and a 50,000bpd hydrocracker. It also has a 270,000bpd catalytic reforming plant, along with an NGL industrial unit.

Modernisation projects include major upgrades in 1984 and 1999 - when a diglycol amine (DGA) regeneration plant and sour water stripper were added - and an extensive Clean Fuels and Aromatics project begun in 2013.

Currently, significant plant development and expansion is underway, not only set to improve scale and operational efficiency, but meaning that Ras Tanura is on the

way to becoming a showcase of Saudi Aramco’s environmental commitments.

It will not only align with the Kingdom’s stringent new emissions requirements but will in effect become a global flagship of ‘clean’ refinery operation.

MEETING NEW REQUIREMENTS

Ras Tanura currently operates three Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs), which convert toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) recovered from the refinery process into the less harmful elemental sulfur - via the Claus Process - and emitting any unconverted H2S, COS, CS2 as sulfur dioxide (SO2). SO2 is classified as a major air pollutant with significant impacts on human health and the environment.

In June 2014, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Meteorology & Environmental Protection (GAMEP) revised the in-Kingdom emissions limit for SO2 to 400 mg/Nm3. Currently, the air emissions from each SRU represent a sulfur recovery efficiency of 95-97%. But now, in order to comply with the new GAMEP regulations, the sulfur recovery efficiency at each SRU will have to be increased to approximately 99.95%.

Modernisation plans Significant plant development and expansion is underway at the Ras Tanura refinery as part of its modernisation plans.

Untangling the web GCS has been employed to help locate the web of underground utilities at the Ras Tanura refinery.

2013

Start of the Clean Fuels and Aromatics project

9

To achieve this more stringent requirement, each SRU will be upgraded by the installation of appropriate tail gas treating equipment, along with Sulfur Degassing facilities. The new stripping towers will remove dissolved H2S from sulphur to levels below 10 ppmw to ensure safe handling, minimize odours and comply with the PME regulations. The project will also install/ reconfigure some of the new equipment to improve the reliability of the SRUs. CREATING THE RIGHT FOUNDATIONS: THE ROLE OF GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS

With technical changes come the need for physical expansion of the plant’s footprint. Yet given that Ras Tanura is the oldest refinery on the Persian Gulf coast, the logistical challenges of expansion are increased dramatically by the fact that there are likely to be dense and complex networks of utilities running underground, built up over decades.

No one centralised plan or model exists - effectively blocking wholescale infrastructure development until a rigorous underground survey can take place. Moreover, as per its standing as a classic brownfield site, the soil is heavily saturated with salt content, along with the physical remnants of diverse resurfacing initiatives taking place over the last 70 years.

Enter Global Construction Solutions (GCS), appointed by Saudi Aramco to work alongside international design consultant Jacobs as the sole provider of expert mapping services. With a significant portfolio of work - on a global scale - across key applications such as Pipeline Underground Surveys, Advance Topographical Surveys, Structural Assessment and Marine Surveys, GCS’ diverse experience is ideal for locating the web of underground utilities with maximum efficiency.

GCS are currently employing an advanced Underground Utility Survey, which will ultimately allow Saudi Aramco to fully update their database of underground utilities, meaning that there is an accurate ‘roadmap’ in place for future pipeline or structural contracting in the area.

Using state-of-theart technology, GCS’s inhouse utilities division can trace, identify, and map underground utilities and service routes including gas, telecommunications, electricity, water and drainage”

HOW THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY SURVEY WORKS - AND WHY IT IS MORE ADVANCED THAN GPR

Using state-of-the-art technology, GCS’s in-house utilities division can trace, identify, and map underground utilities and service routes including gas, water, telecommunications, electricity, and drainage. This technology is from survey specialist 12D Model; it employs an advanced range of techniques beyond the capabilities typically offered by traditional GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar), supplementing these with a blend of functionalities such as sonic, CCTV and electrical locators. For example, GCS regularly uses cable locators to locate dead or live cables and can send robotic CCTV cameras into a pipeline to get HD videos (thereby locating any cracks or excessive corrosion).

All of which gives exceptional accuracy, to a depth of 10 metres (and beyond), and gives the ability to detect • Any type of services (e.g.: HV cables, LV cables, fibre optics, drainage & sewer pipes, Water conduits, gas pipes, live & dead cables) • Liquid & electrical leaks • Layers, condition and thickness Moreover, accuracy is ± 3 mm horizontally and ± 30mm vertically, and the system can work with Outputs across BIM, DWG, DGN, KML and SHP formats.

The overall objective of the scanning is to have a complete model of the existing plant (048) and the Common units (JB7) at Ras Tanura refinery.

Once this is made available in Smart Plant 3D, the laser scan model will comprehensively enable Saudi Aramco to identify the existing facilities affected during the replacement of the equipment/piping systems, and so on.

It’s worth noting here that BIM is also a key part of the scope of work, enabling rigorous ground-up 3D modelling and utilising up to 250 million scan reference points.

Working to these standards aligns with Saudi Aramco’s strict adherence to a broad catalogue of ISO regulations - and has enabled GCS to retain and carry out a demanding project for which a variety of local and international businesses had failed to meet the operational requirements.

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

10

THE BRIEFING

Challenging Mindsets MIDDLE EAST

Brad Barth, chief product officer at InEight, discusses how emerging technology is changing the status quo in the construction industry

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

Has the outbreak of COVID19 and new safety regulations pushed construction companies to adopt existing or emerging technology tools to keep projects on track? Is this the driver to challenge traditional mindsets?

Even before COVID-19, many companies were hesitant to move away from the strategy of investing in multiple point solutions. However, with the whole concept of the workplace rapidly evolving and becoming more fluid because of the pandemic, companies who have been slower to digitise are finding themselves struggling even harder to deliver projects on time and on budget.

This is the problem with one-off point solutions, whereas a modular platform can help your business get on the path to becoming a data-driven organisation without forcing you to invest in things that don’t solve an immediate problem for your business. For most, the easiest place to start is project document management, but both estimating and risk analysis and scheduling are equally valid points of entry.

What efficiency and cost benefits can be generated by fully digitising collaboration and workflows on construction projects, in terms of the design

11

Project delivery Barth says that companies who have been slower to digitise are finding themselves struggling even harder to deliver projects on time and on budget.

Emerging trends Barth says that machine learning and AI are two technologies construction firms in the region are beginning to use.

and delivery process?

Today’s SaaS platforms for capital projects can provide a complete view across the full design and delivery lifecycle, along with real-time insights into risk and profitability, all while bringing together diverse stakeholders around a common goal. By digitising collaboration and workflows on construction projects, significant improvements can be made in the way risk is managed, how opportunities are capitalised, and the level of confidence in the budget and schedule.

While multiple point solutions brought us part of the way here, real change and improvement can only come from data insights integrated across the project lifecycle. The data generated can give owners and contractors insights into exactly what is happening on the project, so they can track progress in real time and adjust to ensure successful delivery, while simplifying tasks such as budgeting and reporting.

What are some of the biggest challenges that come with adopting technology and solutions, particularly in the current climate? How can these issues be addressed or resolved?

Organisational inertia and resistance to change are perhaps the biggest factors determining whether your organisation can successfully evolve from a paperand-spreadsheets mindset to become a modern connected business or not.

A modular, cloud-based platform that supports third-party integrations through open APIs is one of the best digital investments that can be made for both short- and long-term returns.

Within a unified cloud, it is possible to create infinite bridges to other software products, add-ons, and extensions you would never even have thought of — all designed by experts with project planners in mind. From design and estimating, to risk registers and equipment telematics, almost any type of site data can be integrated into the cloud to amplify the planner’s insight and achieve a level of efficiency and confidence not readily accessible before.

At a time when collaboration has never been more vital, adopting

Organisational inertia and resistance to change are perhaps the biggest factors determining whether your organization can successfully evolve from a paperand-spreadsheets mindset to become a modern connected business or not” technology and solutions that create greater transparency and easier sharing of data, will ultimately support projects to be delivered faster, more smoothly, with less risk and more confidence.

What are some of the emerging technologies that have the potential to have the broadest impact on the construction industry, particularly in The GCC (Gulf Corporation Council

i.e. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates)?

There are two emerging technology trends that are already beginning to deliver a seismic impact within the construction industry in the Middle East: 1. Machine learning and artificial intelligence, while perhaps no longer considered “emerging technologies” in some industries, are both starting to drive real value in construction.

Integrated project controls platforms that leverage AI and machine learning are proving to have substantial and positive impacts on estimating accuracy, planning time, reducing mistakes and re-work, and delivering overall project certainty. In addition, both technologies are helping organisations turn data into knowledge, and institutionalise that knowledge to create organisational scale and readiness.

2. Construction organisations are now using drones in ever-expanding ways to improve efficiency and capture information and project context.

Increasingly, the combination of drone-captured “as-built” views of a project – coupled with the “asplanned” views provided by digital models – can automate labour intensive workflows such as site assessments, design reviews, quality inspections, and even progress capture.

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

12

THE BIG PICTURE

01 UNITED STATES

03 UNITED KINGDOM

San Diego International Airport secures $2.2bn airport terminal

Construction begins on $123bn rail project in the UK

A joint venture of Turner Construction Company and US-based heavy civil infrastructure contractor Flatiron has secured a contract to build a new $2.265bn airport terminal at San Diego International Airport in the US. Subject to securing all environmental permits, construction is slated to commence in late 2021 and will take place in two stages and will have an area of 111483.6 sqm.

Planned to be launched in the first quarter of 2025, the first phase will involve the construction of 19 new gates.

02 UNITED KINGDOM

UK’s SSE begins work on $5bn worth energy projects UK-based energy company SSE has commenced work on three Scottish energy construction projects worth more than $5.08bn. It includes the $3.81bn Seagreen offshore wind farm near Angus, the $736m Viking onshore wind farm on Shetland, and the $799m subsea power cable that will connect the island to the Scottish mainland.

The 443MW Viking wind project is expected to be the biggest of its kind in the UK once commissioned and is being developed by Viking Energy Wind Farm.

The Seagreen offshore wind project is planned to be developed in two phases.

Construction has officially commenced on the UK’s $123bn high-speed 2 (HS2) rail project, which runs between London and Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. The initial phase of HS2 involves the construction of a new high-speed railway line from Euston to the north of Birmingham, where it will re-join the existing West Coast Mainline. Planned to be commissioned between 2029 and 2033, the HS2 phase one will comprise four new stations and two new depots.

Work on HS2 is set to create around 22,000 new jobs.

04 NETHERLANDS

06 ITALY

Magna begins manufacture of new dump truck tyre

MOU signed to build 450MW offshore wind farm in Italy

Magna Tyres has announced that it has started manufacturing its 29.5R25 Magna M-Terrain E4/L4 tyre developed specially for articulated dump trucks and medium and large wheel loaders, in its factory in the Netherlands. The 29.5R25 Magna M-Terrain E4/L4 will have EUR 1 certificate for easy import into certain markets.

Previously manufactured in other locations around the world, the tyre will now also be made in the company’s facility in the Netherlands, which will enable customers in specific markets; such as Turkey to import it at zero or reduced import duty.

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

05 GERMANY

Strabag JV wins $1.52bn motorway project in Germany Strabag, in a joint venture with Leonhard Weiss, has secured $818m contract for the construction of a 31km section of the A49 public-private partnership motorway project in Germany.

Under the terms of the contract, the joint venture will be responsible for designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining the new section – Schwalmstadt-Ohmtal Dreieck, located in the German State of Hesse. The scope of work includes the four-lane gap closure in concrete and the reworking of the A5 along 1.5km section at the Ohmtal intersection.

Italian oil and gas contractor Saipem has signed a MoU with AGNES and QINT’X to develop a wind farm off the coast of Ravenna in Italy. With an overall installed capacity of approximately 450MW, the wind project will include the construction of around 56 turbines on fixed foundations on the seabed at two different sites.

To deliver the project, Saipem said that it would deploy advanced technologies such as floating solar technology, while XSIGHT has already started developing integrated solutions for using renewable energy and for producing ‘green’ hydrogen.

01

THE BIG PICTURE

02

13

04

03

07

05

06

08 09

08 EGYPT

07 POLAND

Doosan Heavy bags $185m contract to build waste-toenergy plant Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction has been awarded an EPC contract valued at $185.5m for a waste-to-energy plant in Olsztyn, Poland. Polish energy firm Dobra Energia is the client.

Doosan Heavy will be responsible for providing overall project management services while Doosan Lentjes will supply the incineration boiler and environmental equipment. It will have the capacity to treat 300 tonnes of municipal waste per day to generate a heat and electricity supply of 12MW.

CSCEC opens doors on Egypt’s New Administrative Capital project China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) held an online openday event on the Central Business District (CBD) project in Egypt’s new administrative capital last week. The open-day event focused on showcasing the construction progress of a series of landmark buildings at the New Administrative Capital.

The project consists of 20 buildings, including 12 high-rise office buildings, five high-rise apartment buildings, two luxury hotels, and a 385.8m-tall ‘iconic’ tower, which will be the tallest in Africa.

09 EGYPT

Egyptian-Chinese consortium awarded $9bn rail project An Egyptian-Chinese consortium has been awarded the tender to design, finance and operate a high-speed rail project in Egypt, which will cover 543 km and will reach speeds of 250kmph, at a cost of $9bn.

The Egyptian government had launched an international tender which saw nine international consortia submit bids. The submissions were narrowed down to two consortia – the first which has been chosen for the project; with the second being AVIC, China State and CREC from China, Siemens form Germany, France Railways, Orascom and the Arab Contractors.

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

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THE BIG PICTURE

18 11 12 10

13

14 15

17

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10 SAUDI ARABIA

12 BAHRAIN

AECOM appointed to design role for infrastructure on NEOM

Final phase of Bahrain International Airport now underway

AECOM has been appointed to design transport and utilities backbone infrastructure for NEOM in Saudi Arabia. The firm’s scope also includes environmental and geotechnical support. AECOM said it would leverage its digital capabilities to deliver the core scope of services and enable collaboration across global teams.

Digital will play a key role in delivering the core scope of services within the program requirements, as well as achieving the vision for technological advancement.

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

11 KUWAIT

Construction of Kuwait’s Palace of Justice project reaches 34% Construction on the new Palace of Justice is progressing according to schedule, having reached 34% completion in record time. The project, which broke ground in Q1 2019, is a collaboration between the Amiri Diwan and Kuwait-based architecture and engineering firm, Pace.

At present, relocation and refurbishment of services and utilities, in addition to electromechanical and finishes works are being carried out at the project’s site. Upon completion, the Palace of Justice will be the largest judicial building in the Middle East.

Construction work has started on the final phase of the new passenger terminal at the Bahrain International Airport. The milestone will see the eastern section of the current terminal demolished to make way for the western part of the new facility.

Work on the second and final phase will start as soon as the first phase has been completed. The second phase of the project involves the construction of three gates in the western section of the new terminal, which requires the demolition of the eastern part of the existing airport.

THE BIG PICTURE

15

14 UAE

Adnoc awards contracts worth $245m in UAE 13 UAE

UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant achieves milestone Nawah Energy Company (NEC) has announced that Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has achieved 50% of its electricity production capacity.

According to a statement, reaching 50% power at Unit 1 of Barakah is an essential step in the process of Power Ascension Testing (PAT).

The milestone comes one month after the successful completion of the synchronisation of Unit 1 to the UAE transmission grid, and the dispatch of the first megawatts of clean electricity from the Barakah Plant to the nation.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has awarded two EPC contracts to upgrade two main oil lines and crude receiving facilities at the Jebel Dhanna Terminal in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The two contracts, worth $245m, were awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi-based Target Engineering Construction.

Under the first contract, valued at $135m China Petroleum will increase the pipelines’ capacity by more than 30% and is expected to be completed in 30 months.

15 OMAN

Al Mouj adopts digital water solutions for $3.5bn project The Wave, a $3.5 billion waterfront community developed by Al Mouj, has become the first project of its kind in Oman to benefit from innovative digital water solutions developed by Grundfos.

The project brings together high-efficiency submersible pumps with intelligent controllers and cloud-enabled Grundfos Remote Management (GRM) systems.

This will allow it to control the pumps bringing water into the creeks and lakes that provide the central infrastructure for the new Marina and other leisure activities.

17 INDIA

TATA Projects to construct new Indian parliament building 16 OMAN

Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital in Oman The foundation stone has been laid for a new 700-bed Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah.

The project aims to bring better healthcare to the people of the Dhofar Governorate and is expected to be completed in four years.

The project is being developed at a cost of $334m and will be built over 94,400sqm.

It will feature six floors and a ground floor and is expected to have speciality wings for both men and women besides 25 labour rooms, two operation theatres and an integrated accident and emergency unit.

The new hospital has been designed to meet future demands in the city.

Tata Projects, a subsidiary of conglomerate Tata Group, has won a bid for the construction of the new parliament building in New Delhi, India. Work is likely to begin after the ongoing parliament’s winter session and expected to be completed within 21 months. The existing building will be used during the entire construction period. The winning bid was $117m.

The design of the new parliament building is said to be shaped like a triangle and is expected to include the national emblem of India, which could be placed atop of the new building.

18 JAPAN

Japanese firm starts work on $5.4bn real estate development project Japan’s Mori Building Co. has started working on a real estate development project which is around $5.4 billion, located near the Roppongi district in central Tokyo. The total floor area of the project will be 860,400sqm., which will include, 213,900sqm. of office space and around 1,400 residential units.

Its scale aims to create a city within a city and is expected to have three highrise towers which are estimated to cater to 20,000 office workers. It will also have a residential arrangement which will house another 3,500 people.

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

16

MARKET REPORT

Industry outlook

Route 2020’s Impact on Real Estate UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

JLL report discusses the potential impact the recently inaugurated Route 2020 could have on the areas it passes through in Dubai

T

he development of the metro line in Dubai, which was inaugurated on the 9th of September 2009, has transformed the landscape and accessibility of various locations across the city. More significantly, it had a positive impact on the development, pricing and demand of land and real estate within surrounding areas.

The same can be expected of the new metro line extension, Route 2020, which was officially inaugurated on the 8th of July

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

2020, particularly as the city grows further inland and towards the South, as those locations offer more undeveloped land.

The map (pictured) points out that Route 2020 passes through several mature densely populated communities like Discovery Gardens, The Gardens, Al Furjan, and Dubai Investment Park (DIP), with an aggregate residential stock of around 16,500 units consisting of apartments and villas/townhouses. In addition, the Route will pass through newer residential and commercial nodes like Dubai South, which has an existing residential stock of just 3,000 units.

However, looking at the under construction and announced stock, we observe that an additional 5,500 residential units are expected to enter the market in Dubai South. This indicates increased developer interest in Dubai South, as the area matures and is supported by Route 2020.

The extension of the metro line is not only expected to encourage the development and impact demand for residential products but is also expected to increase commercial activity and footfall, as a result of the ease in accessibility.

According to the Dubai Statistics Center, the population of Jebal Ali municipality which consists of Discovery Gardens, The Gardens and Al Furjan increased from around 45,900 in 2014 to 75,200 in 2019. This represents a 75% increase in population, which is well above the 44% increase in the total population of Dubai during the same period.

While this can primarily be attributed to the lower rental rates in these secondary locations, improved accessibility through the new metro route is expected to increase the popularity of these locations even further.

This has also resulted in increased investor demand. According to data from REIDIN, the highest number of residential transactions during the period of 2014 to June 2020 were recorded in Al Furjan, at around 3,600. This was closely followed by Discovery Gardens at 2,800 transactions during the same time period.

Dubai South recorded the lowest number of transactions at 200, which is also due to the limited availability of existing stock. When analysing off-plan transactions however, the highest number were recorded in Dubai South at 6,300 over the same period.

MARKET REPORT

JLT SALE PRICE COMPARISON (AED/SQ FT)

JLT BUILDINGS CLOSE TO METRO STATION

JLT OTHER BUILDINGS

17

PREMIUM

900

15%

600

10%

300

5% 2019

2018

2017

2016

2014

2012

2011

2020

20%

2015

1,200

2013

25%

2010

1,500

Route 2020 passes through several mature densely populated communities, with an aggregate residential stock of around 16,500 units consisting of apartments and villas/townhouses” JEBEL ALI

MINA JEBEL ALI

SH

JEBEL ALI FREEZONE EXTENSION

EI

KH

D YE ZA

RO

AD

JEBEL ALI VILLAGE

THE GARDENS EMIRATES HILLS

DISCOVERY GARDENS

JEBEL ALI INDUSTRIAL AREA

AL FURJAN

MEADOWS SPRINGS

DUBAI INVESTMENT PARK JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES GREEN COMMUNITY VILLAGE

DUBAI SPORTS CITY

JLL

EXPO 2020

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

18

ANALYSIS

COVID-19

Construction in the Future – A Safer Industry?

UNITED KINGDOM

Thomas Bradley of Mobile Mini explains why the pandemic can help push the construction industry forwards

T

he foundations of the construction industry have been shaken following years of economic uncertainty, Brexit, and now even a pandemic to confront.

However, with the easing of lockdown restrictions and an investment of £1.3 billion from the government for the October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

construction of new houses, we can hope for a brighter future for the industry.

ARE WE SEEING A RECOVERY? The HIS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rating was the first indicator to suggest that we were experiencing the early signs of a slow recovery, at least from an economic point of view.

Used to highlight global economic trends in the manufacturing and service sectors, June’s record jump of 11.4 index points was a five-month high — and a statistic that shows a correlation between lockdowns easing and economies starting to recover.

However, the global index reaches further than just the UK. Therefore, we must continue to research how the current situation is affecting the country’s construction output.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), construction output

Slow recovery The HIS Markit/ CIPS PMI rating indicates that the UK construction industry is showing signs of a slow recovery, at least from an economic POV.

40% Construc-

tion output in the UK fell by 40% in April this year

in the UK fell by 40% in April this year, with the coronavirus contributing to a fall of 41.2% in new work and 38.1% in repair and maintenance.

This is the largest drop since records began 10 years ago, representing a financial hole of £5.1 billion for the construction industry. May’s figures show a small sign of improvement for construction output, with an 8.2% increase — compared to April’s figure — being accredited to the easing of lockdown restrictions.

BUILDING A SAFE WORKPLACE The economic recovery and the output of construction will take time to meet the pre-lockdown level of productivity that we expect. The virus is also affecting how construction workers return to the workplace now.

Measures are being made to protect the health and safety of these workers.

While construction is already an industry familiar with stringent and

ANALYSIS

numerous health and safety measures, social distancing and hygiene are showing their precedent in the workplace. There is now an even greater focus on health and safety in the construction industry.

Firstly, the Building Safety Bill continues reforms of the fire safety system in buildings — for how a building is built and how safe it is once the structure is complete. Next, the ‘Construction Leadership Council’s Site Operating Procedures’ during COVID-19 is aimed at protecting workforces from the virus.

The latter is known for its introduction after the devastation of the Grenfell Tower disaster. It will develop over time, as the guidelines have already had five iterations, with plenty more issues to be produced if the pandemic continues to change at a speed that feels like it’s overnight.

Working conditions must continue to move forward positively, and both are positive steps for achieving this.

While separate legislation, the documents are closely linked. Without the Safety Bill, you run the risk of unsafe buildings built in an unsafe way, and without the guidelines for working during COVID-19, you can’t implement the new ways in which buildings have to be built, all the way from design to completion.

Through all this, we must remember the reality of the working environment.

Life on a construction site can be challenging. It’s less collaborative working spaces and more using the land in which the building is being built on.

On-site facilities will be impacted by social distancing guidelines. These spaces include offices, canteens, drying rooms, toilet blocks, and storage facilities in a variety of sizes and layouts — with these facilities often found inside a storage container.

The measures to ensure safe social distancing will be difficult to implement, with the additional threat of site closure if guidelines are not implemented correctly.

However, industry specialists have helped to create a safe working course for the industry. CovCert is an online programme designed to provide employees with an understanding of how to work safely and minimise the risks from COVID-19.

Industry leaders Green Hat Consulting and construction workforce specialist

19

While construction is already an industry familiar with stringent and numerous health and safety measures, social distancing and hygiene are showing their precedent in the workplace” Moving forward Working conditions must continue to move forward positively in order to provide workers with a safe working environment.

Unkown factors While the fortunes of the construction industry may be on the rise, unknown factors such as Brexit may hamper a stable recovery.

Sphere Solutions have collaborated on this initiative — and will serve to educate and ensure that construction sites continue to be safe and compliant.

Managing director of Green Hat Consulting, Andrew Warring, said: “CovCert is aimed at employees who are returning to work on construction sites.

The courses are intended to raise Covid-19 awareness and provide employees with the knowledge required to minimise the risk of transmission and infection within the workplace, as well as providing an induction for new employees and informing on up to date guidance.”

With uncertainty over how safe the working environment can be

following lockdown; this is another step towards normality and ensuring workers that they can be safe at work.

This can in no doubt benefit the company they work for and the projects that they’re helping to complete.

The fortunes of the construction industry may be on the rise, with early positive indications looking towards a stable recovery. Of course, there are still unknown factors, including the actual impact of Brexit. With such an unpredictable virus and landscape for the world of construction, it’s important that small steps are made as frequently as possible to avoid another decade in the doldrums.

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

20

| MEConstructionNews.com | MEConstructionNews.com September October 2020 2020

21

IN PROFILE

Masood Al Awar

Evolving with the times MASOOD AL AWAR, CEO OF MEDALLION ASSOCIATES, SPEAKS TO BIG PROJECT ME ABOUT THE STATE OF THE UAE’S REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON HOW QUICKTHINKING DEVELOPERS AND INVESTORS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY THE COVID-19 CRISIS

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

22

IN PROFILE

ome transactions in the UAE fell by almost 50% between the first two quarters of the year as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UAE real estate market, a report by consulting firm ValuStrat says.

In its UAE real estate market ‘1st Half 2020’ report, the firm explains that the first six months saw the completion of an estimated 14,000 (30%) of the 45,7000 residential units scheduled for handover this year. Meanwhile, Q2 residential home sales transactions totalled 4,459 – down 48.8% QoQ and 39.9% YoY, with a value of $1.09 billion. Off-plan sales represented 66% of all home sales, it adds.

In terms of commercial property, office sales transactions during the second quarter of 2020 were 80.2% lower when compared to the same period last year.

“Overall transacted office prices fell 2.8% YoY and 7% QoQ to AED 7,169 per sq m (AED 666 per sq ft).

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

Median office asking rents declined 8.6% annually but remained stable quarterly and stood at AED 864 per sq m (AED 80 per sq ft) for typical office units. Citywide office occupancy stood at 80.4%,” reveals the report.

Unsurprisingly, the retail sector was also hit hard by the introduction of lockdown measures required to protect UAE residents from the spread of the Coronavirus.

“Majid Al Futtaim’s 2019 report announced 92% average occupancy for its malls in Dubai. Mall footfall across its entire portfolio grew 4% YoY and reached a record of more than 200 million visitors. The first half of 2020 saw movement restrictions negatively impact retail footfall, accelerating efforts towards e-commerce expansion, and with restrictions being eased towards the usually quite summer period, many stores offered price discounts and promotions to entice shoppers,” it adds.

Meanwhile, hospitality was likewise affected negatively by the pandemic with movement restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted tourism on a global scale.

A HotStats report found that the average Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) during the month of May was at a record low of AED 47.2, down 84.4% when compared to May last year. Dubai’s combined average RevPAR for the period January to May this year was AED 328.8, 48.4% below the same period last year.

Difficult times The UAE’s real estate market has struggled over the first half of the year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

14,000

Number of housing units completed in H1 2020

OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK As these figures indicate, the UAE has been no exception to the global economic disruption caused by the public health emergency after a strong start to the year.

In order to better understand where the market is headed, what opportunities exist for investors, and what the real estate development industry needs to do to adapt to the ‘New Normal’, Big Project ME spoke to Masood Al Awar, CEO of Medallion Associates, a globally networked real estate investment advisory firm that is headquartered in Dubai.

“The UAE’s real estate market, a key sector in the government’s economic diversification efforts, had faced some difficult headwinds in the past even before the pandemic, yet it emerges more resilient and stronger every time.

Under the present challenging environment, we have reasons to believe that the sector - strongly supported by the country’s wise leaders – is poised for significant growth as the country remains attractive to investors,” Al Awar says. “The UAE has also retained its reputation as one of the vital global hubs for business, trade, and leisure, which will help drive activities within the sector, especially after in the aftermath global health crisis.”

For Dubai particularly, the property sector’s economic contribution stood at 8% during the first quarter of 2020, while real estate construction contracts amounted to $3.19 billion, or 34% of the total value of contracting contracts

23

concluded in the country, he adds.

While activities in the emirate’s real estate may have slowed down because of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the outlook on its future expansion remains optimistic, Al Awar asserts.

“In fact, Dubai Land Department has recorded a total of 15,897 sales transactions valued at $8.84 billion between January to June. The emirate’s recovery will have a positive impact on the growth prospects of the UAE’s property market.

“Further, it helps that real estate developers and operators have been evolving to allow them to adapt to the ‘new normal.’ As a result, other real estate

Real estate developers and operators have been evolving to adapt to the ‘new normal.’ As a result, warehousing, logistics and data centres are gaining attention as a new haven for investments”

assets such as warehousing, logistics and data centres are gaining attention as a new haven for investments. With the gradual reopening of the economy and easing of restrictions, we are confident that the activities within the industry will pick-up. Improved sentiments among travellers will also give the country’s real estate industry a boost,” he states.

Al Awar points out that long-term investors will be savvy enough to know that the long-term effects of the pandemic, while significant, will not last and that the real estate market will eventually bounce back. If they stay focused on their objectives, they will be able to take advantage of the

$8.8bn

Total value of sales between January and June Opportunities await Savvy investors will know that the long-term effects of the pandemic will not last, and that opportunities will present themselves if they stay focused, Al Awar says.

opportunities that will present themselves because of the pandemic, he insists.

“This is why several have been capitalising on the declining property prices, low mortgage interest rates, higher loan to value, reduced service charges, attractive valuations and the UAE’s investor-friendly policies in the hope of yielding higher return on investments arising from the market’s full recovery,” he says. “With this same mindset, some have also adopted a systematic and forward-looking approach through regular investing.

“Others, however, have understandably required different types of support from their relationship managers and wealth advisers to help them deal with uncertainties as the value of their portfolio declined.

“Despite the global outbreak of COVID-19, the market’s confidence in Dubai’s real estate market remains strong as transactions worth $19.73 billion took place during the first half of 2020. There was a considerable decline from Q1 to Q2 of this year in terms of investments where 9,160 investors completed 11,940 investments valued at $5.77 billion, whereas in Q2 2020, only 5,528 investors made a total of 6,523 investments worth $2.99 billion.

“However, as per our analysis, other segments apart from offices, residential and retail complexes are set to outperform other asset classes in the near term. Developers should, therefore, MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

24

take a closer look into areas with higher growth potentials,” Al Awar suggests.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and adoption across industries, and the real estate industry is no different. With future property projects likely to be more technologydriven to ensure their sustainability and longevity, Al Awar suggests.

“We see increased attention on the need to transform housing policies post-pandemic to ensure not only comfort, but sustainability as well. As such, factors such as building typology, resource efficiency, connectivity and urban greenery will play a huge role in how we design and build development projects in the future. These trends are expected to be permanent as the industry works towards becoming more resilient, to make it highly prepared for future global crises and emergencies.”

Despite his optimism for the longterm health of the market, Al Awar does concede that in the immediate future, he has concerns about how developers are financing and planning their projects.

“Looking at the state of local real estate market, which remains fragmented and has not yet fully matured from a supply side, it is very challenging for big developers because if they are providing the market with a big supply of units under the umbrella of one major project, they need to mobilise a huge number of retail investors, which is time October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

66%

Off-plan sales accounted for 66% of all sales

Digitally driven The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and adoption across industries, including real estate.

and resource consuming. In addition to that, there are new rules from the Dubai Land Department which they need to consider. With these tighter regulations, it will be difficult to convince retail investors,” he points out.

“We consider institutional investors to be a key solution, and currently, the UAE market has less than five per cent of total contribution from this type of investors. Institutional investors have preference over projects that look into the yield, risk, high liquidity and shorter maturities, which are completely different from retail investors,” he explains.

“Changing strategies and tactics to conform to the evolving investment

trends is necessary for developers to meet the modern needs of their clients. For one, adopting a digital strategy approach will help them be more competitive, especially during this unprecedented period.

“In this regard, they can, for instance, build a more interactive online portal where they can conduct virtual tours of their properties for their clients. Also, it is critical for developers to increase their brand value through proactive customer engagement during this time for stronger sales and enterprise appeal as well as faster post-pandemic recovery. With enhanced brand value, they are in a position to attract more institutional and individual investors.”

Changing strategies and tactics to conform to the evolving investment trends is necessary for developers to meet the modern needs of their clients.

Adopting a digital strategy approach will help them be more competitive”

IN PROFILE

Having a transformation strategy in place is something Al Awar firmly believes in, as he reveals that Medallion Associates has deployed several initiatives that will enable the advisory business to take advantage of technology and adapt to the current market situation.

“We have been leveraging our advisory arm launched in February to address the growing demand for process enhancement, data analytics and financing restructuring. Our foresight had enabled us to make a strategic move early this year that would help entities affected by the crisis.

“Following the declaration of the pandemic and eventual lockdown order, we have seen increased demand for our out-of-the-box financing restructuring.

To date, we are raising more than $1.49 billion complex capital, involving international investment bankers, in addition to finalising our support for the local medium-to-large businesses.

All our efforts are being done remotely, not allowing the pandemic to hinder us from working and delivering value to our clients,” he points out.

Attracting expertise Al Awar believes that PPP is the key to attracting private capital and expertise.

$1.4bn Amount of complex capital Medallion is raising

anticipates foreign investor interest to play a key role in the country’s real estate market going forwards.

“As a matter of fact, Medallion Associates is already in an advanced phase of processing $1.49 billion worth of foreign real estate investments funds to be deployed in a couple of landmark Dubai property projects during this pandemic Investors continue to keep an eye on promising location investments and prime properties in Dubai and the UAE. The steps taken by property developers such as deploying financing programs for clients, partners and tenants, adopting next-generation technologies and taking advantage of economic aid packages have also helped boost the investors’ confidence in the local market along with the economic and financial value of their assets portfolios, he says.

With the UAE and Israel signing a historic peace treaty in recent weeks, Al Awar believes that there will be a positive impact on the local real estate sector, with an increase in fresh investor interest and business.

“We are confident that the UAE market will feel the benefits before the upcoming Expo in October 2021.

Furthermore, the real estate market in the UAE is much more flexible in terms of financing options, and has a wide array of free-hold investment opportunities.”

Looking ahead, Al Awar says that for the remainder of the year and beyond, Medallion Associates will focus on

25

continuing to capitalise on relevant public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities across all areas, specifically in the government’s large-scale smart city projects, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, who is a consistent advocate for government and private sectors coming together to adopt the PPP model as a key driver for growth and success.

“PPP is the key to attracting private capital and expertise, and we are more than willing to explore key areas of cooperation and contribute to the country’s progress while providing our clients with higher return on investment,” Masood explains.

“We are also in the final stage of closing a major investment for some iconic projects both locally and internationally through our strategic partners.

“Furthermore, Medallion Associates continues to support the Dubai Land Department through its international efforts to promote the emirate’s real estate.

“We have offices in Kuala Lampur and London and are currently preparing the second edition of ‘Dubai into the Future’, an event to be held in London which will host real estate developers, institutional investors, family offices, officials of different countries and professionals,” he concludes.

OUTSIDE INTEREST Al Awar states that his company is seeing continued robust and healthy foreign investment interest into the UAE, particularly in Dubai. With the government’s unwavering support, as well as key real estate investment laws and regulations in place, he MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

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Using Supercap in cell towers will offer huge benefits to the companies through its costeffectiveness, low maintenance fees and fuel savings, especially as they can be cycled up to one million times.

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Supercaps in residential will help save a significant amount of money spent on electricity bills through smart effective management

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October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

PROJECT PROFILE

29

1915 Çanakkale Bridge PROJECT NAME: 1915 Çanakkale Bridge TOTAL LENGTH: 4,608 metres TOTAL HEIGHT: 318 metres PROJECT CONSTRUCTION: Daelim – Limak – SK E&C – Yapi Merkezi PROJECT START DATE: March 2017 PROJECT COMPLETION DATE: March 2022

Mission Marrs

BIG PROJECT ME PROFILES HOW AUSTRALIAN HEAVY-LIFT SPECIALIST, MARR CONTRACTING, USED ITS SELFDESIGNED, SPECIAL PURPOSE, WORLD’S LARGEST CAPACITY TOWER CRANE – THE MARR 2480D HEAVY LIFT LUFFING CRANE – TO LIFT LOADS OF 155T UP TO A HEIGHT OF 318M ON TURKEY’S NEW 1915 ÇANAKKALE BRIDGE | July-August | October 2020 MEConstructionNews.com MEConstructionNews.com

30

PROJECT PROFILE

ustralian heavy lifting specialists, Marr Contracting Pty Ltd., have completed a world-record lift for a tower crane in the construction of Turkey’s new 1915 Çanakkale Bridge.

The company, which also goes by the moniker “The Men From Marr’s”, specialises in tower crane heavy lifts and used one of its M2480D Heavy Lift Luffers (HLL) to undertake the world’s heaviest lift of its kind, hoisting a 155t load to at height of 318m on what will be the world’s longest span suspension bridge. The crane used for the project is the world’s largest capacity tower crane with a lifting capacity of 330t.

The Men from Marr’s (Marr Contracting) are world leaders in the design and delivery of heavy lift luffing tower cranes and heavy lifting services.

With more than 90 years’ experience working on large-scale construction projects in Australia and around the

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

world, their expertise spans the largescale construction, mining, oil and gas, power, nuclear, major transport infrastructure, technology and marine sectors. The company says they are not just a crew and cranes for hire; instead they are “big thinkers and problem solvers who love a challenge with a string of ‘world firsts’ to their name” – including the design of the world’s largest capacity tower crane, the Marr 2480D Heavy Lift Luffing (HLL) crane.

Describing the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge lift, The Men From Marr’s said the M2480D crane was perched 328m above the waters of the Çanakkale Straits between European and Asian

330t

Lifting capacity of the M2480D

Innovative thinkers The Marr team was appointed because of its ability to think outside the box and bring the DLSY JV’s vision to life.

Turkey, which the bridge spans, and took approximately 30 minutes to lift a 155t piece of the bridge’s upper cross beam (UCB) to its position 318m above sea level. The installation of the centre section of the UCB on the Asian side of the Çanakkale Strait, completed a major milestone in the construction of the bridge, with the lift taking place at midnight on June 7. The European side was completed 24 hours later, with the final centrepieces installed on both sides of the Bridge at a final height of 318m.

According to the company, the engineering solution that made the world-record lift possible was one of the reasons the bridge constructors DLSY (Daelim – Limak – SK E&C – Yapi Merkezi) Joint Venture awarded the craneage contract to Marr Contracting International in 2017 following a competitive tender process that included some of the world’s leading craneage companies.

Impressed by Marr’s track record in designing and delivering innovative lifting solutions on similarly challenging large-scale projects in Australia and around the world, the DLSY Joint Venture challenged the Marr team to develop a strategy that would decrease construction time and associated risk.

The Marr team worked with the DLSY project team to develop a craneage methodology that makes use of the M2480D HLL crane’s capacity to lift heavier modularised components instead of the more traditional approach of lifting smaller components oneby-one and then welding on-site.

Two of Marr’s M2480D cranes have been on-site since last year, constructing the bridge’s 318m high towers, and through fewer lifts of larger pieces the craneage solution has reduced the construction schedule, with less site-based activities and a higher level of on-site safety, said the lifting services company.

Alper Alemdaroglu, deputy project manager, DLSY, says the DLSY Joint Venture wanted a heavy lifting partner who could think outside-the-box to make their vision for how they wanted to build the bridge a reality.

“The Men From Marr’s have a reputation for technical competence

PROJECT PROFILE

31

The Men From Marr’s have a reputation for innovative thinking, but what impressed us most is their collaborative approach to finding a solution that suited our construction methodology and programme, and then delivering it”

and innovative thinking in developing strategies for heavy lifting on projects of this scale, but what has impressed us most is their collaborative approach to finding a solution that suited our construction methodology and programme, and then delivering it,” Alemdaroglu says.

Simon Marr, managing director, Marr Contracting, highlights that a strong working relationship between Marr and the joint venture partners has been key to the project’s success to date.

“DLSY knew what they wanted, and they were also open to a non-traditional

heavy lifting solution. As experts in construction, the Joint Venture partners respected our expertise in heavy lifting and together we have been able to construct the tower stage of the project in record time,” Marr points out.

“The unparalleled lifting capacity of our M2480D HLL cranes have been a game changer for this project and will potentially change the way our industry looks at how bridges can be built, as well as a host of other large scale projects.

We are using the same way of thinking to challenge methodology on the construction of other projects, including

Game changer The lifting capacity of the M2480D HLL cranes has the potential to change the way the industry looks at the way bridges are built.

318m Total height of the lift

metro train stations, data centres, large commercial construction, energy construction and working refineries.”

For Marr Contracting, the recordbreaking lift is one of a number of engineering feats completed by The Men From Marr’s on the construction of the Turkish bridge project.

In November 2019, after being fully assembled at a dry dock, two of Marr’s M2480D HLL cranes were lifted as complete units, each weighing 600t, by a floating crane and transported a kilometre to the bridge tower caisson in the middle of the Dardanelles (Çanakkale Strait), where they were successfully installed in a one day operation.

Mustafa Tanriverdi, CEO of the joint-stock company established by the Turkish-Korean consortium, ÇOK A.Ş., praised the collaboration on the project.

“The four joint venture partner companies (Limak and Yapı Merkezi from Turkey, Daelim and SK E&C from South Korea) are contributing to the project by allocating their particular technical expertise acquired from working on diverse projects across the world to all phases of the project.

With such strong historical links between Turkey and Australia, we are delighted to have an Australian team contributing their expertise and innovative thinking to this important nation-building project,” he concludes.

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

32

EXPERT VOICE

Digital Twin

A High Benchmark MIDDLE EAST

Dr Anas Bataw, director of the Centre of Excellence in Smart Construction (CESC) at Heriot-Watt University in Dubai discusses the importance of digital twins

What is a digital twin and how does it complement the modern construction industry?

It is widely acknowledged that construction has historically been a labour and time intensive process as well as being highly linear. In recent times digitalization has been seen as an essential approach to ensure construction companies stay competitive, grow revenue and provide a safer and more sustainable environment; even more so in a post – pandemic world.

A digital twin, which is an exact, digital replica of a physical entity, can aid and complement the digitalization of the construction process by accelerating and automating

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

traditional design, production and operational processes.

The use of the digital twin method will ultimately drive growth in the modern construction sector by creating newer, faster and more sustainable products and services.

What research is CESC/ EGIS doing that is advancing the study of digital twins and their application in the regional construction industry?

One of the core objectives of CESC is enabling technologies.

We work towards creating awareness through ongoing research and collaboration with both industry partners and government to encourage embracing the latest technologies

and how they can help the construction industry, including the use of digital twin.

Our Heriot – Watt Built Environment courses and research focus on all aspects of digital and smart technology including the use of digital twin and AI. We are fully committed to ensuring the next generation of construction professionals is skilled to understand smart technology and is able to identify key challenges and how best to improve and implement digital change in the industry.

How can the predictive capabilities of digital twins help the construction industry achieve their sustainability and efficiency aims?

FOR MORE INFORMATION Please visit the Heriot Watt University website at: www.hw.ac.uk/dubai/ a positive impact on both the environment and the bottom line.

How can real world technology (smartphones, drones, laser scanners etc) be utlilised with digital twins to improve performance and efficiencies on site?

Real world technology is becoming increasingly utilised with digital twin and it is becoming easier to transfer data as technology becomes more sophisticated. For example, the use of the cheapest smartphone camera now has high enough resolution to capture shapes of beams and walls, data which can be transferred to a digital twin and therefore boosting productivity and efficiency on site.

How can IoT and AI be combined with digital twins to unlock its true potential and power?

Digital Twin and its modern concept have potentially been limited over the last few years, however, the advances in technology driven by AI and IoT will drive the current key areas where digital twin technology

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is successfully being used with even greater effects and outcomes. Combining digital twin technology with AI and in – depth analytics will lead to even better efficiency, an improvement in health, safety and wellbeing and a higher level of sustainability.

Digital technology and the IoT in the construction industry are set to grow. It’s critical that the Built Environment understands and fully embraces digital twin technology and its positive impact”

What are the future implications of digital twin technology? Where can it lead the industry?

The construction industry is facing one of its most challenging times ahead post-pandemic and it is time to embrace and address key issues around project management and performance, budget restraints, sustainability, potential labour shortages and Health & Safety concerns.

Embracing emerging digital twin technology is essential to ensure these issues are addressed quickly and efficiently. Digital technology and the IoT in the construction industry are set to grow. It’s critical that the Built Environment understands and fully embraces digital twin technology and its positive impact on the industry.

Sustainability is a key area for improvement within the Built Environment and the digital transformation of the sector is undoubtably set to improve this issue. Using digital twin technology, the practicality and sustainability of a building project can be tested in a simulated environment and provide accurate data which can be improved on if necessary, before building commences in real time. The use of digital twin technology can also help with expenditure before a project starts. Buildings and construction together account for *36% of global energy use and *39% of energy – related carbon dioxide (Source: 2017 World Green Council) so data - driven energy management can have MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

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COMMENT

Industry insight

PARNIKA CHATURVEDI KING & WOOD MALLESONS

What you need to consider prior to terminating contracts

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he impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across all sectors, including the construction sector.

Despite certain construction activities being approved to continue, amidst government movement restrictions, a number of construction projects have still faced issues with supply chains, material and equipment sourcing, workforce shortages and liquidity concerns, resulting in project delays and financial setbacks. Against this backdrop, the termination of contracts has been an avenue commonly explored by companies.

However, termination is a drastic step, which more often than not is fraught with difficulties.

As a first step, the party intending to terminate the contract should carefully consider the factual scenario in light of the contractual termination provisions to establish whether it has a right to terminate. Some common circumstances which might give rise to a right to termination, as set out in Clauses 15.2 and 16.2 of the FIDIC Red Book 1999, include failure to make payment in accordance with the terms of the contract, failure to commence works without any reasonable excuse, failure to issue payment certificate, failure to comply with the notice of remedial works, bankruptcy and/ or insolvency.

Parties may also wish to explore the option of suspension before proceeding to a termination.

Once the party intending to terminate is satisfied that it has a right to terminate, the next step is establishing the process

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

in relation to the notice requirements, notice period, and whether a court order is required for the termination to be valid.

While the notice provisions are largely a matter governed by contractual terms, the court order requirements are a matter arising from the UAE Civil Code provisions on termination.

The general termination provisions are found in Articles 267 to 273 of the UAE Civil Code.

Article 267 states that contracts may only be terminated by mutual consent, a court order or by operation of a provision of the law.

In addition, there are special provisions in the UAE Civil Code which only apply to Muqawala contracts, which is defined in Article 872 as “a contract whereby one of the parties thereto undertakes to make a thing or to perform work in consideration which the other party undertakes to provide.� Article 892 specifies three circumstances in which a Muqawala contract might be terminated; upon the completion of the work agreed, upon the cancellation of the contract by consent or by order of the court.

A typical termination provision will require a breach by the one party, which the breaching party has failed to remedy within a specified reasonable time, such that it entitles the nonbreaching party to terminate the contract. It is important to check if the termination provision allows for termination without a court order in circumstances where the works have not been completed and termination is not by mutual consent. Often parties assume they have a right to terminate, when none exists, or parties fail to follow the required process, which can lead to an invalid termination and a potential claim for damages against the terminating party.

For a party receiving a termination notice, a similar stepwise process should be adopted.

The receiving party must review and analyse the termination notice to confirm whether the notice issued can lead to effective termination. This can include whether a contract breach has occurred giving the terminating party a right to terminate, whether adequate notice has been issued in accordance with the contract and whether a court order is required for termination to be valid.

In all cases, parties should diligently review the contracts currently in place and future agreements to ensure they fully understand the contractual relationship and are adequately protected.

Parnika Chaturvedi, Of Counsel at King & Wood Mallesons.

RUPERT TAIT LIGHTIFIED

Has COVID-19 increased the use of technology in the industry?

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hink the Construction Industry won't be disrupted by technology? Try paying for your dinner at a restaurant with a cheque. Like the Finance Industry, it is only a matter of time before Construction adopts more technology.

A recent survey by IFS found that companies concerned with economic disruption were 20% more likely to plan increased spending on digital transformation. To summarise; concerned people view technology as their lifeline in these uncertain times. The question remains though, what about construction? While almost all other industries turn to technology in their hour of need; we examine how the construction industry, which has always lagged behind in its technological adoption, reacts to current affairs.

It is fascinating that an industry so perfectly positioned to benefit from technology was historically the least receptive. Whether inaccuracies in estimation, delays in construction or the economic and social

It is fascinating that an industry so perfectly positioned to benefit from technology was historically the least receptive�

COMMENT

impact of waste; the construction industry is plagued by easily rectifiable issues often taken for granted or completely overlooked.

Louay Dahmash [Autodesk] noted that 30% of the world’s waste comes from construction, stating that a key reason for that waste and inefficiency is the lack of collaboration. The UK construction industry alone uses 400 million tonnes of material every ear - it produces 100 million tonnes of waste. A recent article in Medium described how construction companies are dogged by stagnant productivity and low levels of profitability. According to Eurostat, productivity in construction has grown by a meagre 2% over the last decade.

So how did the construction industry react to the global pandemic? The good news is the recent events have served as an accelerant of existing technology trends. Mckinsey Digital estimates that we’ve vaulted five years forward in consumer and business digital adoption in a matter of around eight weeks.

Manufacturers are said to be actively developing plans for “Lights Out” factories and supply chains - completely automating the process to protect against further disruptions. That is in stark contrast to previous estimations that construction and real estate companies reinvested less than 1% into research and development.

My own experience is in the lighting industry. We launched a platform to connect manufacturers, contractors, and specifiers. In 2019, customers wanted to meet face-to-face at their offices in Europe, this of course is an expensive way to do business development.

Today, however, we are able to have a quick video conference call and achieve an even better outcome at a lower cost of doing business. This is a microcosm of the industry as a whole; the ‘new normal’ is an openness to technology.

No place is this shift clearer than in Venture Capital activity. By the end of 2020 it is forecasted that Venture Capital investment within the construction industry will have increased 56% YOY and is forecasted to hit $1.3bn.

VCs consider ‘timing’ as a key determining factor in a Start-up’s success - such a dramatic increase in funding is a clear indication that the construction industry is ready to embrace a technological revolution. Who would have guessed that it would take a global pandemic to be the catalyst?

Rupert Tait is the founder of Lightified.

ARAFAT YOUSEF

NEXANS DATA NETWORK SOLUTIONS

Why FTTO is best for future green networks

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he digital economy is growing fast. IDC has predicted that the digital economy will account for 60% of the world's total economy by 2022. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimates that the digital economy makes up anywhere from 4.5% to 15.5% of global gross domestic product (GDP). In the US, home of several dominant players, the digital economy already accounted for 6.9 percent GDP ($1.35 trillion) in 2017. In China, the digital economy accounted for a third of the nation's GDP in 2018.

In Europe, ‘digital’ is among the fastest growing sectors and “a major contributor to economic prosperity”, according to E&Y. However, as the digital economy grows, so does consumption of energy and production of heat and CO2.

More and more people, devices and organisations are interconnecting, driven by developments such as 5G, Cloud, Wi-Fi 6, Internet of Things (IoT) and more. In all of these areas, vast growth is predicted. Some 212 billion IoT-enabled devices may be connected to the internet soon. Cisco predicts that by 2021, there will be 4.6bn Internet users worldwide and 271 billion connected devices. But as the number of devices, users, applications and networks grow, so will the global carbon footprint.

According to the European Commission, the ICT industry generates up to 2% of all global CO2 emissions. The journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research the installation and the operation of new ICT devices can be characterized as highly energy intensive.

A study carried out by the Global Enabling

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Sustainability Initiative (Gesso) and Deloitte shows that ICT can help solve a wide variety of sustainability challenges and climate change in particular. Big data, AI and intelligence built into devices and systems that consume power play an important part in this. Working from home facilitated by ICT, for example, reduced the need for travel. However, there is also a great deal to be gained by simply reducing the amount of power consumed by the devices, cabling and networks that provide the backbone for the digital economy. Furthermore, making sure systems can remain operational for as long as possible also reduces the burden on the environment.

One possible solution is the introduction of Fibre To The Office (FTTO) networks to connect devices throughout a building at Gigabit speeds.

FTTO is a hybrid network consisting of fibre optic and twisted pair copper patch cords with connectors. In an FTTO network environment, fibre is laid from the central distribution switch right into the office floor, where it ends in active FTTO switches within the workplace.

FTTO networks require significantly less equipment, consume less energy and require less cooling. In a traditional copper-based Ethernet network with 1,000 ports, the annual electricity consumption is estimated to be 82k kWh. However, using an FTTO architecture, the same network would consume some 30k kWh per year. A fast, low latency, responsive FTTO network with PoE (Power over Ethernet) capacity also supports the introduction of smart building management systems, helping reduce energy consumption by optimizing lighting, air conditioning and heating usage.

The use of fibre also allows compliance with 802.3az Energy-Efficient Ethernet’ standard. This allows each port on the switch to power down into a standby mode when no connected devices are active. Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) ports consume power only when data is transferred.

FTTO architecture can reduce energy consumption by as much as 70% lower, cut total cost of ownership by 40%, and reduce installation time by 60%. What’s more, the added flexibility means networks can accommodate changes in building layout and function and cabling can support consecutive generations of equipment.

As a result, it isn’t necessary to dispose of large volumes of cabling and equipment every few years.

Arafat Yousef is Managing Director – Middle East & Africa at Nexans Data Network Solutions.

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

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TENDERS

Middle East tenders UAE RESIDENTIAL

Al Yasmeen Development BUDGET $155 million TERRITORY Al Zahia, Sharjah CLIENT Majid Al Futtaim Holding DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work consists of the development of a residential community offering townhouses, 3-bed courtyard villas located at Al Zahia, Sharjah. The neighborhood will provide a host of conveniences including areas for recreation, worship, and childcare. The project also includes a multipurpose hall for residents use for private events, games or classes, family pool, dedicated visitor parking, café, and outdoor dining area and leisure and entertainment outlets.

The project will be spread over an area of 516,106 square feet approximately and has split into 2 Phases; phase A and phase B. COMPLETION 30/03/22

on Olaya Road in the city’s central business district Riyadh. The hotel featuring a class-leading restaurant, gym and business center, the club-like atmosphere pervades through soothing colors and regional textures, offering tradition with contemporary flair.

COMPLETION 30/12/22

INDUSTRIAL

ICT Logistic Park (Phase 2) BUDGET $260 million TERRITORY Mussafah, Abu Dhabi CLIENT International Capital Trading DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work consist of a logistic park located at Mussafah, Abu Dhabi.

The project includes warehouses, showrooms, residential buildings and associated facilities.

COMPLETION 30/09/22 INDUSTRIAL

Jaleel Holdings Food Storage Facility BUDGET $27 million TERRITORY Dubai Industrial City, Dubai CLIENT Jaleel Holdings DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work consist of a 2-storey food storage facility located at Dubai Industrial City, Dubai. It

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ENERGY & INFRASTRUCTURE

also includes an administration office and parking facilities.

COMPLETION 30/12/21

SAUDI ARABIA HOSPITALITY

Al Faisaliah Redevelopment (Phase 1B) BUDGET $150 million TERRITORY Riyadh CLIENT Al Khozama Management Company DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work involves the construction of new Al Khozama Hotel, with 250 bedrooms with 17 levels around 29,000 square meters. It will have a prominent presence

Red Sea Development - Power Generation & Utilities BUDGET $500 million TERRITORY Tabuk Province CLIENT Public Investment Fund DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work involves the construction of utilities and related infrastructure for the first phase of the Red Sea Tourism development on the west coast of Saudi Arabia. The project includes the provision of power and water production, sewage treatment and solid waste treatment. Under the PPP contract, power generation capacity will be required to service a peak demand of 210 megawatts (MW). Power is planned to be generated for the first phase from photovoltaic solar, wind

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

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TENDERS

energy, energy storage batteries and biofuel emergency power. In the second phase, which is due to be commissioned by 2030, power generation capacity will be required to meet the peak demand of 360MW. The client is planning for geothermal and concentrated solar power to add additional capacity by 2030. For water production, two seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants will be developed with a capacity of 30,000 cubic meters per day under the first phase. The demand will be split between potable water, 21,000 cubic meters per day, and irrigation top-up, 9,000 cubic meters per day. Under the second phase, an additional SWRO plant will be developed in addition to brine squeezer and Chlor-alkali technologies to meet the expected demand of up to 50,000 cum cubic meters per day, split 39,000cubic meters per day and 11,000cubic meters per day between potable water and irrigation top-up respectively.

The selected developer will also be required to provide a sewage treatment plant (STP) with a capacity to treat up to 18,000 cubic meters per day of sewage

under the first phase of the project through a constructed wetlands scheme. The peak sewage flow of the development is expected to reach 34,000 cubic meters per day by 2030. For the waste treatment development, the PPP contract will cover collection, automatic recovery and waste-to-energy production for up to 30 tonnes per day under the first day. This will rise to 55 tonnes per day by 2030.

COMPLETION 30/11/25 INFRASTRUCTURE

Ali Ibn Taleb Road Extension BUDGET $24 million TERRITORY Yanbu CLIENT Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work involves the construction of 10.27 kilometers of roads and infrastructure work located in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The project also includes sewage networks, drinking water network, fire fighting water network, treated water network, installation of an electric power network, street lights, traffic signal system, telecommunication

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

system, landscaping works, installation of street lighting and other associated works.

COMPLETION 30/05/23

OMAN INFRASTRUCTURE

Barka & North Al Batinah Independent Water Plants BUDGET $320 million TERRITORY Barka and North Al Batinah CLIENT Oman Power & Water Procurement Company DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work involves the construction of a new water desalination plant of approximately 100,000

cubic meters per day (22 million imperial gallons per day) and 150,000 cubic meters per day (33 million imperial gallons per day) located at Barka and North Al Batinah in Oman.

The project also includes water desalination plants, seawater intake system, pre-treatment system, post-treatment system, laying of pipelines, installation of instrumentation and control system and a pumping station.

COMPLETION 30/06/23 ENERGY

400kV OHL from Suwayhat to Barik GS & 400kV OHL from Barik to Nahadah GS BUDGET $200 million TERRITORY Al Wusta Governorate CLIENT Oman Electricity Transmission Company SAOC DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work involves the construction of a 400kV Over Head Line (OHL) from 400kV Suwayhat grid station to 400kV Barik grid station, a 400kV OHL from 400kV Barik grid station to 400kV Nahadah grid station, foundations for tower structure, pylon assembly

TENDERS

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and associated facilities in Al Wusta Governorate, Oman.

COMPLETION 30/12/24 INFRASTRUCTURE

Wadi Al Mahayul Storage Dam BUDGET $45 million TERRITORY Al Mahayul, Ibri CLIENT Ministry of Regional Municipalities & Water Resources DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work involves the construction of a storage dam in Wadi Al Mahayul, Ibri, Oman.

COMPLETION 30/12/23

BAHRAIN ENERGY

Um Al Hassam 400kV Grid Substation Expansion - Civil Works Package BUDGET $25 million TERRITORY Um Al Hassam CLIENT Bahrain Electricity & Water Authority DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work involves an extension of 400kV & 220kV GIS Switchgear at Um Al Hassam 400kV Grid Substation to enable connection of the additional Transformer (IBT No.4). The scope includes installation of auxiliary power supply system, control/protection systems, metering system, foundations/bays for transformer, civil and associated works.

COMPLETION 30/12/22 RESIDENTIAL

Al Lawzi Housing Development BUDGET $130 million TERRITORY Al Lawzi CLIENT Bahrain Ministry of Housing DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work consist of 132 housing units located at Al Lawzi, Bahrain. The project also includes associated

secondary infrastructure work.

COMPLETION 31/03/23

KUWAIT

AVIATION

EDUCATIONAL

Bahrain Aircraft Engine Runup Facility

Sabah Al Nasser Boys & Girls School

BUDGET $50 million TERRITORY Bahrain International Airport CLIENT Bahrain Airport Company DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work involves the construction of an aircraft run-up facility, aircraft parking facilities, warehouses, administrative space, workshops, jet blast deflector and associated facilities at Western Apron in Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain.

COMPLETION 30/12/23

BUDGET $30 million TERRITORY Sabah Al Nasser CLIENT Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work consists of 2 school buildings located at Sabah Al Nasser, Kuwait City, Kuwait. The project also involves classrooms, a kindergarten, an elementary school, a middle school, a high school, administration facilities, auditorium, multipurpose halls, a playground, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and parking facilities.

COMPLETION 30/03/23 COMMERCIAL

Sabah Al Salem University City Data Center BUDGET $40 million TERRITORY Sabah Al Salem University CLIENT Kuwait University Construction Program

DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work involves the construction of a data center information technology (IT) infrastructure, disaster recovery hosting under co-location and disaster recovery IT infrastructure, datacenter and disaster recovery network infrastructure, external network infrastructure, datacenter and disaster recovery information and cybersecurity infrastructure at Sabah Al Salem University in Kuwait.

COMPLETION 30/12/23 RETAIL & COMMERCIAL

Jaber Al Ahmed Township (J2) BUDGET $200 million TERRITORY Jaber Al Ahmed Township CLIENT Public Authority for Housing Welfare DESCRIPTION The project’s scope of work consists of a construction of 1,45,000m2of business center and commercial spaces which includes 85,581m2 business center and 50,294m2 commercial spaces, and parking facilities.located at Jaber Al Ahmed Township, Kuwait.

COMPLETION 30/05/24

MEConstructionNews.com | October 2020

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PROGRESS REPORT

Final update

Omniyat’s One at Palm Jumeirah on track for December 2020 handover More than 90% of construction work completed on luxury development

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ore than 90% of the construction work has been completed on Omniyat’s One at Palm Jumeirah (OPJ) project in Dubai. The developer says the luxury development is on track for delivery in December.

October 2020 | MEConstructionNews.com

Reflecting the beauty of the manmade island it calls home, OPJ perfectly captures the essence of Dubai beachfront living through stateof-the-art facilities, illustrious designs, and sheer luxurious living spaces, the developer said in its statement.

Japanese interior designer Super Potato, studio Elicyon and landscape artist Vladimir Djurovic worked with Soma Architects to create a masterpiece in the world of architecture and design, breaking barriers and new grounds along the way, Omniyat explained.

The project will feature a contrast of textures, colours, and

Luxury operator Dorchester Collection, a five-star hotel operator, will manage the One at Palm Jumeirah for Omniyat.

3Number of

penthouses within the project

designs, while the layout will perfectly complement its minimalistic interior.

One at Palm Jumeirah will be managed by Dorchester Collection, a five-star hotel operator that manages luxury hotels in Europe and the US. “As One at Palm Jumeirah is the first project in the region that Dorchester Collection is managing, my team and I are delighted to see it so close to completion.

This is a landmark not only for Dubai but for the region and reinforces our close partnership with Omniyat, a company renowned for its architectural vision,” said Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection.