Middle East

The Middle East in Focus: Transportation, Innovation, Disruption and Gulf Traffic Gulf Traffic, an annual event that takes place from the 9 – 11 of December this year, will bring to light some of the latest technologies and systems from global suppliers to Dubai – the centre of business in the Middle East and North …

EIB investing €151 million for better and safer road networks in Lebanon The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) signed a financing agreement of €151 million for the rehabilitation and safety improvements of 900 km of existing primary, secondary and tertiary roads in the 25 districts in Lebanon. The …

Doka signs exclusive partnership with WECON in Israel Doka GmbH has signed an agreement with WECON Engineering Ltd. for the exclusive distribution of the wide range of Doka products and systems across Israel. With the agreement, which came into effect on 01st September 2019, WECON Engineering Ltd. will take over Doka’s business in Israel. As …

Islamic Development Bank approves $325m for projects in member countries The Board of Executive Directors of Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved several projects worth US $325 million for Burkina Faso, Kazakhstan, and Mozambique. The approvals also include a Technical Assistance Loan to Suriname and a Waqf (endowment) project through the Islamic Solidarity Fund for …

Abu Dhabi Roads Infrastructure – Connecting Cultures and Enabling Economies From having no paved streets to building some of the world’s best, most modern, fully integrated and sustainable road networks and infrastructure, Abu Dhabi has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last 50 years. Today, the UAE capital has established itself as a key economic …

A bump in the road for driverless cars? Patrick Mallejacq, Secretary General, PIARC World Road Association looks ahead to the 26th World Road Congress in Abu Dhabi this October and examines one of the key topics up for discussion – whether transport authorities around the world are ready for the advent of driverless cars. Driverless …

DOKA’s technical skills put to the test on the Doha Orbital Highway project Doka’s recent work on the new Doha Orbital Highway shows how a combination of slick logistics and technical supervision help to make even the most challenging projects possible. With both the national Vision 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar isn’t …

The largest 3D construction printer in the world heads for to Saudi Arabia Elite for Construction & Development Co. decided to place the order at COBOD as a response to Saudi Arabia’s need for building 1.5 million private houses over the next 10 years and to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to improve the …

Lusail City an eco-city for the future is all set to rise in Qatar With 90% of the infrastructure now completed, the eco-friendly Lusail City is starting to blossom in the desert of Qatar – just like the local flower it is named after. Like the desert flowers that lie dormant in the sand for …

EBRD invests in Queen Alia Airport in Jordan The EBRD is supporting important infrastructure private public partnerships (PPP) projects in Jordan, with the purchase of an indirect equity stake in Airport international Group (AIG), the concessionaire operating Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan (QAIA). The Bank is committing up to €30.5 million to AIG through …

ADB grant to help develop railways in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation countries The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $2 million regional technical assistance grant to support the development of railways in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) countries. “Railways have an important role to play in helping CAREC countries move from landlocked …

New Kuwait Summit set for 16-17 April 2019 Under the patronage of HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, The Supreme Council for Planning and Development and The Ministry of Information pleasure in inviting you to the inaugural of The New Kuwait Summit which is scheduled to be hosted in Kuwait on 16-17 April 2019. …

Receiving operations commence on first Gulf Region Wind Farm ALE has demonstrated its wind expertise and turnkey capabilities as they start the receiving operations of wind components in Oman for the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) first-ever wind farm. The global heavylifting contractor has been contracted for the full turnkey scope for the Dhofar Wind Project, …

The European Investment Bank provides €229 million to support infrastructure in Egypt The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed two financing agreements for a total amount of €229m to support sanitation and community infrastructure in Egypt. These investments will contribute to the development of a sustainable modern economy – a key element of the EU-Egypt Partnership …

Large 120 ton telescopic crawler crane ideal for small tunnels in Dubai Dubai is spreading relentlessly into the arid desert region. The terrain is being developed through micro-tunneling projects that insert pipes in the dry earth – a 120-ton telescopic crawler crane from SENNEBOGEN lifts all of the equipment into the bore shafts. Hosting Expo …

Technology and automation to define the future of road transportation In the face of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, technology-driven innovation will be key to meeting the challenges of tomorrow in the global road transport sector, according to a survey published by the International Road Transport Union. This topic will top the agenda of the IRU …

ALE’s latest jacking innovation flexes its muscles in the Middle East ALE’s latest jacking innovation, the Mega Jack 300, has demonstrated its time efficiency, increased stability and ability to work within a restricted project site to jack-up pipe rack modules over 5m high in Kuwait. This is part of the wider Al Zour Refinery Project …

ALE quickly mobilises largest-ever capacity cranes for Karbala Refinery in Iraq ALE has utilised the largest-ever capacity cranes in Iraq while performing the heavy lifting works at the Karbala Refinery Project. The quick mobilisation of the cranes has also enabled ALE to optimise the overall project schedule. As part of a bigger scope involving several …

UAE runs first intermodal transport under TIR The United Arab Emirates is an important trade hub with a robust economy. TIR offers huge potential for improving transit connectivity between ports and borders with free zones and integrating them into the global logistics chain. The UAE’s strongest trading partners are India and China – both part …

Trade can transform the Middle East During a visit to Muscat this week, Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General of IRU, turns his thoughts to history and the role that transport might play in lifting the fortunes of the region – politically, economically and socially. At the end of the Second World War there was devastation …

VINCI Construction Grands Projets delivers the new Assiut Dam in Egypt On August 12, 2018, VINCI Construction Grands Projets delivered the new Assiut Dam, located midway between Cairo and Luxor, in an official ceremony with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, in attendance. The course of the Nile was diverted and later restored to …

World Road Congress set for 6 October 2019 in Abu Dhabi The United Arab Emirates, steered by its nations’ capital, Abu Dhabi, has one of the most advanced and developed infrastructure in the region. A widespread sophistication of road network engineering encompasses urban and rural roads, airports, bridges and tunnels that connects each of the …

EBRD finances rehabilitation of Cairo Metro Line 1 Millions of commuters will benefit from a €205 million loan provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support the Egyptian National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) with the partial rehabilitation of Cairo Metro, the major means of public transport in Egypt’s capital. The funds …

Ammann Asphalt Plant driving UAE road construction forward The needs are straightforward for a new road in the United Arab Emirates. “We need to produce quality asphalt, and high volumes of it,” said Adnan Elmasri, Operations Manager for Top Link Contracting & General Transportation, based in Dubai. Top Link, a well-established contractor in Abu Dhabi …

The top five mines in the world Many necessities of modern life rely on mined materials – but where are these minerals coming from and what exactly makes them so impressive? 1. AS GOOD AS GOLD – KALGOORLIE SUPER PIT, Australia Located in Western Australia the Kalgoorlie Super Pit is one of the largest open …

Ammann Asphalt Mixing Plant plays major role in Turkish Highway project An Ammann asphalt mixing plant production and ability to utilise fibres is playing a crucial role in the construction of the Northern Marmara Motorway in Turkey. A large portion of the motorway, which serves as a bypass of Istanbul, has been completed. Handling a …

Skyjack in the midst of UAE modern urbanization Skyjack is continuing to expand their presence in the United Arab Emirates with an order from AJI Heavy Equipment Rentals. Skyjack is pleased to see more of their products hitting the UAE market, especially with a company who shares their commitment to quality, service, and support. “Skyjack …

JCB Power Products supplies 400 generators to rental company in Dubai Power generator manufacturer JCB Power Products has landed a major deal with a leading company in the Middle East. Dubai-based Rental Solutions & Services (RSS) has bought more than 400 JCB units – its second purchase of JCB Power Products’ generators in the last …

Runway and taxiway marking at Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport Together with the Airport International Group, HAL Engineering, and the Trading Company of Amman, in 2016, Borum won a tender to supply an Airport Line Marking Machine to be used in Jordan to stripe Queen Alia International Airport. The machine was delivered to Jordan in …

RTA awards contract for Phase 1 and 2 of Dubai 2020 Expo roads improvement project As directed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai to start immediately in the construction of roads and transport projects associated with the hosting of Expo 2020 …

BAM celebrates great safety performance at Museum of the Future in Dubai BAM employees are celebrating two million hours worked lost time injury free at the building site for the Museum of the Future in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This achievement is thanks to the professionalism and continuous commitment from those on the project, who …

Access to all-weather roads allow Afghan Valley residents to flourish It is mid-afternoon and the sun is beating down hard on the flourishing Parandi valley. The weather in the lengthy valley in the Bazarak district of Panjshir Province is torrid, keeping most of the inhabitants of its 12 villages indoors. But not Razuddin, 50, who …

Final breakthrough in gigantic road tunnels at the Suez Canal On the Christmas weekend, Egyptian President H.E. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rang in a new era for the Sinai Peninsula: on Saturday, December 23, 2017, S-960 (Ø 13,020 mm), the third of four Herrenknecht Mixshields, completed tunnelling for the first of two new twin-tube road tunnels …

Snøhetta completes Muttrah Fish Market in Oman West of Muscat, on the coast of Gulf of Oman, a new fish market has taken the stand as a new landmark on the waterfront along the lively corniche in Muttrah. The Snøhetta-designed Muttrah Fish Market is created to serve as a focal point for the community of …

BAM appointed to deliver multipurpose Yas Arena in Abu Dhabi Miral Asset Management has appointed BAM International – the operating company of Royal BAM Group nv, active outside Western Europe – to deliver the construction of an arena with a capacity of 18,000 seats. Yas Arena will be used to host events in a temperature …

Skyjack partners with a new supplier in the UAE Linamar Corporation’s Skyjack division recently filled a tall order with growing UAE rental company Safelift LLC. The Abu Dhabi based rental company just added a number of Skyjack products to its line-up, making Skyjack one of their key suppliers. “We selected Skyjack because they produce a …

Dubai Water Canal project wins IRFs Global Roads Achievement Award Parsons is honoured to announce that the Dubai Water Canal project won the International Road Federation’s Global Roads Achievement Award (GRAA) under the Urban Planning and Mobility category. A uniquely challenging aspect of this project—owned by Roads & Transport Authority—was designing and arranging the detours, …

US Air Force Engineers repair runway near Mosul in Iraq Three months ago, four U.S. Air Force engineers with the 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group arrived in northern Iraq to conduct a reconnaissance mission for what would become a historic undertaking. Their mission: mitigate runway damage caused by the Islamic State of Iraq and the …

BAM wins €14.5 m road infrastructure contract for Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone in Dubai BAM International BV, the operating company of Royal BAM Group nv, active outside Europe – has been awarded a design and construct contract to build road infrastructure worth €14.5 million for global trade enabler DP World at their flagship …

Arabian Supply Center joins Metso aggregates distributor network in Qatar Metso and Arabian Supply Center (ASC) strengthen their cooperation by signing a new distribution contract. ASC will offer the full range of Metso’s crushing and screening products to the construction segment in Qatar. “We are proud to welcome ASC to our expanding distributor community. We …

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses first Autonomous Air Taxi test flight in Dubai HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attended the maiden concept flight of the Autonomous Air Taxi (AAT), a vehicle that will be used for the world’s first self-flying taxi service set to be introduced …

Re-designed Jamarat Bridge successfully increases crowd safety during the Hajj Pilgrimage Between Aug. 30 and Sept. 5, an estimated 3 million Muslims will complete their holy pilgrimage to Mecca as part of Hajj week, the largest annual gathering of people on Earth. With as many as 300,000 people expected to cross Jamarat Bridge every hour, …

IsDB opens tenders for reconstruction of the Atyrau to Russian border (Astrakhan) Road Project in Kazakhstan The Islamic Development Bank has announced invitation for prequalification following the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared earlier in website of the Ministry for Investments and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the website of Islamic Development …

Land reclamation in Dubai relies on precise sea wall positioning down to the nearest millimetre Dubai is growing and growing, so every meter counts as potential new building ground – land reclamation is an important objective. Bilal Transport uses a SENNEBOGEN 880 EQ to position stone blocks weighing up to 7 metric tons for coastal …

Why does Afghanistan need a transport master plan? Article by Peter C. Darjes, Consultant, Central and West Asia Regional Department, Asian Development Blog. Afghanistan recently launched a 20-year master plan to improve the country’s transport and logistics system. Following the withdrawal of international troops and a decline in foreign assistance, the master plan is a …

Kuwait funds 81 km upgrade of the Gbarnga-Salayae Road in Liberia     The Governments of Liberia is soliciting funding from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and four other funding agencies, namely Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and …

JCB Generator business powers ahead with huge rental deal in the Middle East Generator manufacturer JCB Power Products has won its biggest export order of the year with a multi-million pound deal in the Middle East. Dubai-based Rental Solutions & Services (RSS) has bought more than 300 JCB generators in a deal worth £9 million. …

Parsons wins Project Management for Sharjah International Airport expansion in the United Arab Emirates Parsons announced that it was recently awarded the project management services contract for the Sharjah International Airport expansion in the United Arab Emirates. The client is Sharjah Airport Authority. Parsons’ project/construction management role will include oversight of the planning, design, construction, …

L&T Electrical & Automation FZE wins US$33Million order from Qatar Rail Company L&T Electrical & Automation FZE, the Competency Centre for L&T Electrical & Automation (E&A)’s automation business in UAE, won a major order worth US$33 Million from Qatar Rail Company (QRAIL) for Phase 1 of the Doha Metro. The scope of the order encompasses supply, installation, …

Dubai extends driverless Metro 15km to serve World Expo 2020 Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) and the Alstom-led Expolink consortium have selected Thales to provide the systems for the metro that will serve the World Expo 2020 site. Thales will provide driverless train signalling technology as well as integrated supervision, telecommunications, passengers’ services, security …

Hyperloop One reveals first images of Nevada Desert Development Site at Middle East Rail 500-meter full scale Hyperloop test structure weighs over one million kilograms Hyperloop One tube measures 3.3 meters in diameter Hyperloop One is the only company building a functional Hyperloop system Shares vision for connecting Gulf Cooperation Council Travel between major cities …

Turkey weighing bids for new Suspension Bridge over the Dardanelles Strait A consortium of Turkish and South Korean firms has emerged as the frontrunner to build a 3.6km suspension bridge over the Dardanelles Strait in Turkey that will become one of the landmark bridges of Europe. Also included in the scope of the contract is …

Afghanistan’s all-weather roads bring improvements to Rural Communities The road, which is due to finish by the end of 2017, is being widened and paved, ensuring safer travel conditions in Daykundi Province. Road rehabilitation projects in Daykundi Province are having a significant impact on the lives of villagers through improved access to essential facilities and …

Saudi Arabia funds Pakistan’s Swat Expressway to connect Chakdara with Kalam Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide US$ 50 million (Rs3.4 billion) in financial aid to Pakistan for the construction of the 113 km long, 3 lane, Swat Expressway, which will connect Chakdara with Kalam. The Swat Expressway is currently under construction in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province …

Turkeys Eurasia Tunnel a giant dives deep and brings Europe and Asia together at the Bosphorus. In 2015 one of the boldest tunnel missions ever experienced a major breakthrough. The Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu witnessed Herrenknecht’s 13.7 metre diameter mix-shield cutter head pierce the target shaft wall, with millimetre precision, on the European side …

SYSTRA & AECOM win the Dubai Tram extension The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai has just awarded phases 2 and 3 for the extension of their iconic Light Rail Transit system to SYSTRA, a world leader in the design of transport infrastructures. Specialising in consulting and engineering the group provide populations throughout the world …

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Trans-Hindukush Road Connectivity Project (THRCP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for Construction of a new 2-lane National Highway from Sta 126+620 to Sta 151+200(Bamyan). Trans-Hindukush Road Connectivity Project (THRCP) The …

130 Bomag Rollers synchronised in the largest compaction project in history Bomag is the largest manufacturer or Rollers in the world and their expertise was bought into action in 2014 for the construction of Istanbul New Airport, close to the Black Sea coast, which was the world’s largest airport construction site. Extending over some 8,000 …

Egypt & Saudi Arabia to build 30 mile bridge over the Red Sea Egypt and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement to build a bridge over the Red Sea from Ras Nasrani, which is close to the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to Ras Hamid in North Western Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman finalized …