The big picture

01 CANADA Ritchie Bros introduces online tool for asset valuation

A new online tool from global plant and machinery auction leader Ritchie Bros is helping equipment owners and managers make more informed decisions on buying and selling their assets.

The tool, called Asset Valuator in its current beta version, has a database of millions of items previously sold through Ritchie Bros., which it utilises to help users make a price estimation of their machinery.

The free online tool pulls historical data from various sources and the algorithm calculates average prices and estimates the value of a prospective seller’s equipment.

04 UNITED STATES Hilti acquires Fieldwire for $300m

The Hilti Group has announced that it has an agreement to acquire Fieldwire, a San Francisco-based construction technology company, for approximately $300 million.

Hilti said the strategic acquisition will bring together Fieldwire’s best-in-class product and Hilti’s global brand and market reach to help drive productivity at contractors and construction sites.

The San Francisco-based company presently supports thousands of clients by offering a software solution that has a wide range of features and is also device-agnostic. It is used by general and specialty contractors alike.

02 UNITED STATES Bentley Systems announces global expansion of Bentley Education programme

Bentley Systems has announced the global expansion of its Bentley Education programme.

The programme offers seamless access to learning licenses of over 60 popular Bentley applications, at no cost, to all eligible students and educators, via the Bentley Education portal. Following the May 3, 2021 launch in the pilot countries of Australia, the UK, Singapore, Lithuania, and Ireland, the programme saw tremendous response, with more than 500,000 students and educators visiting the portal.

05 UNITED KINGDOM JCB announces investment into hydrogen engines

JCB is targeting the end of 2022 to make its first hydrogen powered machines available for sale and is investing $137.8m to produce the super-efficient engines.

According to JCB, a team of 100 engineers is already working on the “exciting development” with the recruitment of up to 50 more engineers under way as the company targets for the first machines to be available to customers before the end of next year.

The machines showcased were a prototype hydrogen powered JCB backhoe loader and a Loadall telescopic handler.

03 UNITED STATES Snorkel launches global telematics solution Snorkel OnSite

Snorkel has announced the launch of its new telematics offering, Snorkel OnSite, a full-service telematics suite available globally on most current Snorkel mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) and telehandlers.

The solution, which is powered by Trackunit, can be optioned at the time of ordering for factory-install, or for field-installation by an authorised Snorkel dealer or service centre. Snorkel added that many of its models are now telematics-ready, featuring a compatible connection for the telematics module.

06 IRAQ Mheila Reverse Osmosis WTP completed in Iraq’s Basra region

A new large-scale reverse osmosis water treatment plant (WTP) has been completed on the banks of Basra’s Shatt al-Arab river, with a capacity of 72,000m3/day.

The Mheila Reverse Osmosis Plant is the first of its kind in the region as it’s reverse osmosis system enables flexible operation under different scenarios of salinity, varying from 2,000 to 30,000 mg/l. This is necessary to address the changing nature of the Shatt al-Arab river, which has been impacted by major variations in salinity level due to a variety of reasons.

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07 SAUDI ARABIA SFD announces completion of $31m Gambian airport development project

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has announced the successful completion of the Banjul International Airport Rehabilitation and Development Project in the West African nation of Gambia.

In a statement, SFD said that it had supplied a loan worth $31 million to fund the project, which will increase the airport’s operational capacity by 43%, enhancing trade and supporting economic growth.

In addition, it said that it has provided a further $10.5 million to build a VVIP private lounge.

08 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Sameer Daoud appointed as executive director for Infrastructure at KEO

KEO International Consultants has appointed Sameer Daoud as executive director of its Infrastructure Division. He is responsible for overseeing the Infrastructure Engineering practice.

Prior to joining KEO, he was CEO of regional contracting firm MECIC. He also held the position of group chief development officer and MD of Drake & Scull and served as a senior infrastructure leader in WS Atkins and WSP Middle East. Daoud has also held senior roles at Hyder Consulting and Arcadis.

09 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES DEWA issues tender for cable car system in Hatta

An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tender for a cable car system and luxury hotels at the Dubai Summit Complex (DSC) in Hatta has been issued by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

These attractions are part of the Dubai Mountain Peak project, which will contribute to the overall development in the Hatta region.

The 5.4km cable car system will transport tourists to Um Al Nesoor, the emirate’s highest natural summit standing tall at 1,300m above sea level.

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10 SAUDI ARABIA KSA’s Soudah Development first in GCC to join Mountain Partnership

Soudah Development, the Saudi developer, has announced that it has signed up as a member of the Mountain Partnership, an alliance dedicated to protecting mountain environments around the world.

In a statement, the Saudi group said that it joins more than 400 global members comprising of governments, intergovernmental organisations, companies and civil society groups, in a commitment to improving the lives of local communities, preserving mountain ecosystems, and rich biodiversity.

11 SAUDI ARABIA SHC awards $1.76bn main contract for The Avenues – Riyadh Mall

Shomoul Holding Company (SHC) has awarded a main contract worth $1.76bn to Nesma & Partners for the development of The Avenues – Riyadh Mall. The project is spread over an area of 390,000sqm and is taking shape on King Salman Road and the King Fahad Causeway.

The project will contribute to strengthening the service and retail sectors in the Kingdom, as well as creating thousands of jobs. The deal is being facilitated through Shomoul Commercial Company, a Saudi company that is 60% owned by Mabanee, SHC’s parent company.

12 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Egis awarded RAK International Airport expansion contract

Egis, the international group in the construction, engineering and mobility services sector, has announced that it has been awarded the expansion contract for the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.

Egis said that is responsibility on the project is two-fold, with the initial design of the expanded terminal, as well the concept design study for a new terminal which is expected to accommodate approximately two million passengers in the next 10 years.

The expansion plan comes after a surge in passenger traffic at the airport.

13 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES RTA opens new fourlane bridge in Dubai

A new bridge connecting the Al Manama and Al Meydan streets crossing over the Dubai-Al Ain Road is now open, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced. The RTA said it has removed the previous roundabout and adjusted the sloping ends of the existing bridges on Al Meydan Street.

According to a statement from the RTA, the bridge extends 328m and consists of four lanes in each direction. The sloping ends of the bridge span 400m and the capacity of the bridge is 16,000 vehicles per hour on both directions.

16 OMAN OMRAN unveils new 11m sqm tourism development

The Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran Group) has unveiled the masterplan and brand identity of ‘Yiti’, which is billed as one of the largest integrated tourism developments in Oman. Omran’s vision to transform the tourism and real estate sector in the sultanate is said to be in accordance with Oman Vision 2040.

The new master-planned development sets a new model for urbanisation, as it connects and extends the city of Muscat, enriching its offerings and possibilities, through a multi-phased expansion approach, Omran stated.

14 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Azizi Developments launches new residential community in DSC

Azizi Developments has announced Beach Oasis, a new residential community that will take shape in Dubai Studio City. The development is to feature 476 studios, 200 one- and 36 two-bedroom apartments, as well as several retail units.

Beach Oasis will be developed for young adults and will feature several amenities including a beach-like swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasiums, landscaped gardens, children’s play areas and a central courtyard featuring retail options for the convenience of residents.

17 INDIA Indian Minister says country needs $700bn on urban infrastructure

Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary and Mission Director (Smart Cities Mission), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, has said that India needs around $700 billion of investment from 2021 to 2031 to boost its urban infrastructure as it copes with rapid urbanisation across the country.

He added that a rapidly urbanising India presents exciting investment opportunities for the private sector as its cities look to address several challenges, including water, sanitation and urban transport.

India is spending $28 billion on its Smart Cities Mission programme.

15 OMAN Work commences on Al Hafa Waterfront project in Salalah, Oman

Muscat National Development & Investment Company (ASAAS) has announced the commencement of construction works to develop Al Hafa waterfront in the Al Hafa area of Salalah in the Governorate of Dhofar.

The total area of the waterfront will be more than 60,000sqm. ASAAS has assigned the main contractor to construct the traditional heritage souq, with the developer pointing out that it aims to make the Al Hafa area one of the country’s leading tourist attractions.

18 JAPAN UD Trucks launches Euro 5 Quester and Croner models in Middle East

Japanese manufacturer UD Trucks says its newly launched Euro 5 versions of its popular Quester and Croner trucks “feature significant upgrades to minimise their environmental impact, improve efficiency and uptime, increase profitability, and optimise the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), all without compromising the benefits offered by the previous models.”

Available in the region for the first time, the new Euro 5 truck come ahead of the introduction of new regulations in fast-growing regional countries.