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155
FEBRUARY 2019 meconstructionnews.com
THE BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION
WORKING IN HARMONY Big project me gets an exclusive look at how ANcg is leading the construction programme on the creekside 18 project
Contents
Issue 155 February 2019 06
12
16
26
34
38
16 The Skeletal Framework
37 Middle East Electricity 2019
04 MEConstructionNews.com OnlIne
The biggest stories from Big Project Middle East’s home on the web
analysIs
Angitha Pradeep examines how the 2019 Public Budget law will affect infrastructure growth
shOw preVIew
Big Project ME previews the 2019 edition of Middle East Electricity
06 Besix to build Uptown Tower 19 Construction CEOs
38
10 Masdar enters North America 26 Working in Harmony
40 Top Tenders
The bIg pIcTure
DMCC awards contract to construct landmark tower to Belgian contractor
In prOFIle
Big Project ME asks the CEOs and managing directors of several leading construction firms for their thoughts on 2019 and beyond
InTernaTIOnal news
sITe VIsIT
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company to acquire wind farms in the United States
Big Project ME takes a trip to Dubai Creek Harbour to visit the Creekside 18 project
eVenT reVIew
Contractors vs Consultants Cup
Big Project ME recaps all the action at the first-ever Contractors vs Consultants Cup Tenders
Big Project ME lists the Middle East’s biggest construction tenders for February 2019
12 UAE Market Review and Forecast 34 Building the future of railway 44 Securing the future MarkeT repOrT
lasT wOrd
TechnOlOgy
Knight Frank report examines the 2018 performance of the Abu Dhabi and Dubai real estate markets and looks ahead to 2019
Marcos Dorao outlines the latest advancements in railway infrastructure
Louise Rodrigues explains why it’s vital that the construction industry attract the next generation of talent, and quickly February 2019 1
Introduction
changing times
F
or this month’s issue of Big Project ME, I thought it would be interesting to speak to some of the leading figures in the industry and get their thoughts about the issues and trends that are likely to shape our sector this year, and in the years ahead. From their responses, it’s clear that we are going to see a sea change in the way the construction industry operates, with all the senior figures we spoke to emphasising that their focus this year will be on adopting technology, sustainability and value engineering principles across the board. This indicates that the industry is at the cusp of a huge moment, as it is only when the decision-makers buy into these movements that we’ll be able to see any progress being made. For the longest time, construction was lagging behind the rest of the world, but if the words of the CEOs and managing directors that we’ve profiled are any indication, that might be about to change very quickly. Another point of interest was hearing what Bishoy Azmy and Kez Taylor had to say. Both were quick to predict that contractors will see a change in their roles as we move forward, with clients increasingly turning toward implementing design and build contracts for their projects. This is something that I can corroborate, as several developers have told me that this is a route that they’re keen to go down, simply because it affords them more flexibility and streamlines the entire construction process. At the very least, they’re keen to get more contractors involved at an
2 February 2019
GROUP MANAGING DIRectOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5471 eDItORIAL DIRectOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5472 eDItORIAL 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 DeSIGN ARt DIRectOR SIMON COBON
early stage, to ensure that the value engineering process gets started early. Therefore, it seems that we’ll be seeing a lot more focus on efficiency, cost-effectiveness and collaboration this year. And that can only be a good thing in these challenging market conditions. If you’re keen to know more about these topics, I encourage you to keep an eye on our 2019 events calendar. April will see the return of the Value Engineering Summit, where we’ll be looking to build on the conversation that we started in 2018. In the second half of the year, we’ll be back with the 4th edition of the ME BIM Summit, and the launch of our first-ever Retail and Hospitality Construction Summit. So, do stay tuned and as always, feel free to get in touch!
simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DeSIGNeR PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com PHOtOGRAPHY MAkSYM PORIECHkIN MARKetING MARKetING MANAGeR SHEENA SAPSFORD sheena.sapsford@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5498 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 MOHAMMAD AWAIS SADIq SIDDIqUI FOUNDeR DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PRINteD BY RASHID PRINtING PRESS LLC PUBLISHeD BY
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2018 ARCHITECTURAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR A pleasure to be in business. We have the good fortune to work with several of the nominees for the 2018 Middle East Consultant Awards. It is a privilege to participate in the continuous build that is developing our part of the world. We’re honoured and gratified that the region trusts us to help design well engineered and sustainable structures. Congratulations to all the nominees, individuals and our colleagues.
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feATURed
CONSULTANT
Red SeA MeGA PROjeCT GeTS APPROVAL fROM BOARd Of dIReCTORS
ADFD global sustainable/ renewable energy investments total $1.18bn
fLeeT
Abu Dhabi’s Hyperloop to cost $20-40m per kilometre
Interview: The BIM differentiator with ellisdon’s Wissam Hijazi
CONSTRUCTION
Saipem wins contracts worth $1.3bn from Saudi Aramco
CONSTRUCTION
Saudi awards ‘sizeable’ EPC deal to McDermott
CONSULTANT
Woods Bagot’s Testolini: Dubai well-placed to realise smart city vision 4 February 2019
In reference to the ‘Red Sea mega project gets approval from board of directors’ article on your website, we’ve seen many conflicting sides to the ‘new’ Saudi Arabia over the past couple of years that it can sometimes be unclear which vision of its future self we should believe. I am, however, looking to the Kingdom to lead the next phase of construction in the region, especially once the Expo 2020 Dubai building is complete. Saudi’s current willingness to embrace leisure and tourism, as well as trade, should be welcomed by all of us in the industry. While the ambition and scale is exciting, the test will be whether those at the top are willing to be transparent and open enough to get the international support they need to make their mega projects sustainable. If they are, then the region’s construction industry can afford to be much more positive about the future.
Video: BPMe Contractors vs Consultants Golf day 2018
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The Big Picture
A new landmark for Dubai Once complete, the super-tall tower will be a new addition to Dubai’s iconic skyline, says DMCC.
DMCC awards contract for 78-storey Uptown Tower to Belgium’s Besix
Contractor will build tower through Dubai-based Belhasa Six Construct Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has awarded the contract for the construction of the first super-tall tower in its Uptown Dubai district to Belgian firm Besix. As per the agreement, Besix will build the 78-storey Uptown Tower through its Dubai-based entity, Belhasa Six Construct. The tower will offer views of Dubai’s waterfront and skyline, DMCC said in a statement, adding that the new tower will “replicate the brilliance of diamonds” through its faceted glass façade which will illuminate interior spaces with natural light, while also filtering out harsh glare. Uptown Tower will be designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, and the interiors,
F&B outlets and health spa will be designed by Rockwell Group. These will depict the district’s distinct and bold personality, the Centre said. “Winning this contract is a significant moment for Six Construct, given that DMCC’s Uptown Dubai district is one of the most exciting projects in the region, and we look forward to working alongside DMCC to deliver to the emirate of Dubai a truly unique and inspiring new destination,” said Olivier Crasson, general manager for Besix Contracting Middle East. “Awarding Six Construct the contract to construct Uptown Tower is an important step in bringing the much-anticipated Uptown Dubai district to life,” said
Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman of DMCC, in the statement released by the Centre. “The quality on show from the bids received was incredibly high. This reflects the level of interest from the global marketplace to partner with DMCC and be a part of an ambitious project that will add a new landmark to Dubai’s iconic skyline.” DMCC has also announced that the construction of the district is proceeding at full pace with the completion of piling and raft work for the Uptown Tower, which is also said to feature hotel rooms and suites in partnership with Accor Hotels’ luxury lifestyle brand SO/, which will debut in
the Middle East with the project. Formerly known as Burj 2020, the Uptown Dubai development is close to Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and will include more than 929,000sqm of grade A commercial and residential space. More than 200 retail and food and beverage outlets will be available, while 3,000 residences will also be on the market. The Uptown Tower will be one of two super-tall towers that will anchor the Uptown Dubai area. While the height of the tower hasn’t been specified, DMCC has said that the district’s main podium alone – estimated to be 28m above the ground – will feature a two-level central plaza twice the size of New York’s Times Square.
“Winning this contract is a significant moment for Six Construct, given that DMCC’s Uptown Dubai district is one of the most exciting projects in the region, and we look forward to working alongside DMCC to deliver to the emirate of Dubai a truly unique and inspiring new destination” 6 February 2019
The Big Picture
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund board approves Neom Bay masterplan Eco-friendly tourist destination being developed within futuristic city Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has announced that its founding board has approved the masterplan for Neom Bay, an eco-friendly tourist destination being developed within the $500bn futuristic city of Neom. According to a report in SPA, construction work is set to start in the first quarter of 2019 following the completion of all preparations, including the greenlighting of the masterplan. It will be Neom’s first window to the world, with beaches and a temperate climate, the report added. A number of key facilities will be completed by the end of the year, including the current airport at Sharma, which will be upgraded to become a commercial airport that operates regular flights between Riyadh and Neom. Phase One
of Neom Bay – the first urban area to be developed in Neom – will be completed in 2020. The luxury tourist project will be built in line with Neom’s goals of finding solutions to the key challenges facing human society. It will provide an environment focused on improving health and well-being for residents, with next-generation technologies in mobility and intelligent urban ecosystems with advanced infrastructure on offer. “This year will be a milestone in Neom’s journey. We are now preparing for the development of the Neom Bay area, which will provide a new concept of urban living that will enable it to become a platform for attracting the world’s top minds for creating advanced economic sectors,” said Nadhmi Al Nasr, CEO of Neom.
“The strategy of developing Neom Bay will rely on four key pillars that will be ingrained in the entire project development, with sustainability at the heart of aspects of the project. “The first is to provide a living experience and an ideal quality of life for families; the second is to create a high-end lifestyle and a luxurious tourist destination; the third and fourth pillars are to support both innovation and creative centres in order to achieve Neom’s economic goals.”
2020 Phase One of Neom Bay will be completed in 2020
Neom Founding Board, chaired by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of Board of Directors of Public Fund Investment, gave instructions to complete all the required preparations. NEOM will be built in the northwest of Saudi Arabia and will span over 26,500sqkm. The $500bn mega city on the Red Sea coast will be part of a huge national push to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy. The site will also become the main entrance to the King Salman Bridge linking Asia and Africa, which will add to the zone’s economic significance. Investments and financing will play a vital role in Neom, set to be spearheaded by the Kingdom’s economy and supported by PIF.
Attracting minds Neom Bay will provide a new concept of urban living that will enable it to become a platform for attracting the world’s top minds for creating advanced economic sectors.
February 2019 7
The Big Picture
Central hub One Central will become the heart of Dubai’s central business district with integrated offices, retail, residential, hospitality and F&B offerings.
One Central completes 68,934sqm of development ahead of planned schedule
Commercial and retail space in One Central development spans 159,793sqm Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has said that the last phase of the commercial and retail segment at its One Central development has been completed ahead of schedule, following the delivery of The Offices 4 and 5. A mixed-use development at the heart of Dubai’s central business district, One Central offers interconnected space, integrated offices, retail, residences, hotels and a range of F&B offerings to DWTC’s mega-events venue and to the wider city, through a worldclass transportation network, DWTC said in a statement. The total completed commercial and retail space in One Central spans 159,793sqm, of which 68,934sqm of grade A office space has been delivered, making the commercial and retail component complete. It also has four-level basement parking with 4,380 spaces. DWTC added that the next phase of development is AccorHotels’ 25hours Hotel Dubai 8 February 2019
“It is designed to address the evolving needs of the business occupier, multinational corporations and the evolving needs of the business traveller, and is gaining significant interest from global and local companies”
One Central, scheduled to be completed by June 2020. It will be the regional debut for the German hospitality brand outside Europe, and the largest of the brand in the world with 434 rooms. It will feature a mix of modern rooms and suites, the company said. One Central’s business occupants benefit from DWTC Authority’s free zone competitive set-up costs, with a reduction in registration fees of 50-70% announced earlier this year and a 40-50% reduction in immigration fees depending on the scale of business operations, DWTC said in the statement. Coupled with the 588-room Ibis One Central Hotel and The Offices 1, 2 and 3, all completed in the last three years, One Central is home to a variety of blue-chip tenants from the fields of oil & gas, finance, insurance, tourism and management consulting. “Through place making and place management, we have created a new top-of-mind
vibrant urban destination with One Central, one that offers a competitive advantage with excellent locational connectivity,” said Gurjit Singh, senior VP (Real Estate) at DWTC. “It is designed to address the evolving needs of the business occupier, multinational corporations and the evolving needs of the business traveller, and is gaining significant interest from global and local companies. “One Central’s businessfriendly regime, and a carefully master-planned mix of corporate offerings, retail and hospitality, offers unique lifestyle experiences in line with placing Dubai on a global map as an iconic destination to live, work, play and connect.” Once completed, the One Central development will be a new urban destination with commercial office, retail, hospitality, residential, car park and open green spaces. Hotel accommodation will range from affordable business hospitality to premium accommodation for leisure.
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The Big Picture
52%
1
A ProDroneWorx survey suggests that 52% of UK and Irish construction companies are now using digital/reality information captured by drone tech
1. Masdar Makes first foray into north aMerica Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has acquired John Laing Group’s interest in two US wind farms. The UAE company executed a share purchase agreement (SPA), which marks the first time it has invested in renewable energy projects in North America. According to a report by WAM, Masdar will acquire John Laing’s interest in the Rocksprings wind farm in Texas and the Sterling wind farm in New Mexico. The transaction is expected to be complete in H1 2019, following a standard government and financing partner consent process. The 149MW Rocksprings project was commissioned in 2017 and relies on 53 General Electric (GE) 2.3MW wind turbines and 16 1.72MW turbines at a site in Val Verde County. The farms take advantage of the windy conditions that this region of Texas is known for. The Sterling project in Lea County, New Mexico was also completed in 2017 and has a total installed capacity of 29.9MW provided by 13 GE 2.3MW turbines. On completion of the deal, Masdar will become a partner of French renewable power producer Akuo Energy.
10 February 2019
405MW
Acciona has completed the construction of a 405MW solar plant in the Mexican state of Sonora
2. orascoM to develop two hotels in egypt in 2019 with thoMas cook Developer Orascom Development Holding (ODH) has inked a deal with Thomas Cook to build two hotels in Egypt. “We are excited about the partnership with Thomas Cook and we welcome the fact that El Gouna will be the first home to Thomas Cook’s newest hotel
brands in the Middle East. We are confident that Casa Cook and Cook’s Club will fit perfectly to the offer at El Gouna and the Group’s hotel portfolio,” said Khaled Bichara, CEO of Orascom Development. The group operates a total of 33 hotels with 7,113 rooms and controls approximately 104m sqm of land. Enric Noguer, chief of Thomas Cook Hotels & Resorts, added,
“Thomas Cook will offer yearround holidays in our Casa Cook and Cook’s Club brands. This continues strong momentum for our hotels and resorts business as we expand our portfolio around the world. El Gouna is a popular destination and our two new hotels will offer alternative holidays to people looking for high-quality contemporary design and service.”
The Big Picture
5.9%
China’s construction industry is expected to expand by 5.9% in 2019, driven by railway construction projects
2 3
1,500km
4
A planned 1,500km-long railway from Mombasa to Kigalihas stalled due to financing constraints and government indecision
3. egypt agrees $1.2bn bank loan with china’s exiMbank for light rail systeM Egypt has agreed a $1.2bn deal with the Export-Import Bank of China (EximBank) to finance a light rail system from an industrial city on the outskirts of Cairo through to the new capital being built.
According to a Reuters report, the 68km rail network will connect the 10th of Ramadan City to the planned New Administrative Capital. The loan has a 1.8% interest rate and matures in five years, the report said, citing Egypt’s transportation minister. $461m of the loan will be for infrastructure and
$739m will be used for trains, Hisham Arafat explained. The railway aims to move 350,000 passengers daily, at a speed of 120km/hour. Five state-owned companies and three private corporations will construct the project, the minister said. He asserted that it was a necessity for citizens in eastern Cairo.
4. india’s larsen & turbo secures $292M of epc orders froM gcc and se asia India’s Larsen & Turbo (L&T) has announced that the company has secured $292m of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) orders from GCC and Southeast Asian countries. The Power Transmission and Distribution Business of L&T Construction won a contract to build 115kV substations with associated transmission lines and cable circuits in Saudi Arabia. Another order for 132kV cable works for a substation was also awarded in the UAE. The L&T Construction arm also secured an order for a 275kV substation from the Sarawak state of Malaysia, while it has also secured an EPC order to build 235MW of solar photovoltaic power projects in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, as well as a “one-of-a-kind” solar PV plant floating on a reservoir in Andhra Pradesh, as part of the Tirupati Smart City mission. The construction company will also complete an EHV substation order from a customer in Oman, and another order for a Rural Electricity Infrastructure Development project under the DDUGJY scheme has been awarded in West Bengal, India, L&T added in a statement.
February 2019 11
Market Report
UAE MArkEt rEviEw And ForEcAst – 2019
Knight Frank report reviews the year and provides an outlook for the Abu Dhabi and Dubai residential and commercial markets in 2019
Residential Outlook While the stimulus packages and easing of business regulations are positive and will provide some support to the residential markets, there is likely to be a time delay in these, resulting in increased demand in the UAE’s residential sector. Businesses are currently looking for short- to medium-term stability before committing to any expansion plans. In the short run, this hesitation affects consumer confidence, which in turn affects residential market activity in both the sales and rental markets. Therefore, until the expected increase in business confidence feeds through to consumer
confidence, we are likely to see continued pressure on real estate prices and rents. In Abu Dhabi, at the start of 2018, Knight Frank estimated that a total of 8,121 units would be delivered; however, to date initial estimates show that only 3,346 units have been delivered. In the capital, the lack of demand is the single largest contributor to the pressure exerted on prices and rents; therefore, until we see a notable improvement in the economic backdrop, we are unlikely to see any significant improvement in performance. In Dubai, while demand eased in 2018, prices fell due to the considerable level of
supply delivered in 2018 and expected in 2019. In 2018, Knight Frank forecast 32,727 units to be completed in Dubai. Initial estimates indicate that to date we have seen 22,476 units delivered. This increase in supply, in addition to the unabsorbed supply from previous years, has led to the extended pressure on prices and rents which we are witnessing. This trend is expected to continue throughout 2019. While there are clear challenges facing the residential market, the recent approval by the UAE Cabinet of a range of legislation to ease visa and foreign business ownership is likely to drive additional
demand in the UAE property market, given that many of the changes in visa regulations are linked to property ownership. The new visa legislation – which is expected to take effect towards the end of Q1 2019 and where all investments must be cash which is not loaned – includes five-year retirement visas for people over 55, in return for investing AED 5m or more in the property market; for people with incomes of at least AED 20,000 per month; and for people with more than AED 1m in capital. There will also be options for non-retiree investors – those who invest over AED 5m in property are able to
“Until we see a notable improvement in the economic backdrop, we are unlikely to see any significant improvement in performance” 12 February 2019
Market Report
Dubai mainstream sales performance
Dubai mainstream rental performance
Abu Dhabi mainstream sales performance
Abu Dhabi mainstream rental performance
-2.5% -3.9%
-4.0%
-4.1%
-4.7%
-5.1%
-5.3%
-3.1%
-3.8%
-4.5%
-8.6% 12-month % change
6-month % change
3-month % change
obtain a five-year visa. In addition to these property-related visas, a range of business investment visas has also been approved. Investors who invest over AED 10m in enterprise can obtain a 10-year visa; up to 40% of the investment can be related to property purchases. Entrepreneurs in the UAE with previous business investments worth over AED 500,000, or who have a business accredited by a business incubator, will be able to obtain a fiveyear visa with the possibility of obtaining a business investor visa. Finally, the approved legislation also includes a 10-year visa for high-value talent in selected fields,
12-month % change
-8.7% 6-month % change
3-month % change
as well as a five-year visa for foreign students and their families. Commercial Outlook The short- to medium-term outlook for Dubai’s commercial market remains negative, with rents expected to continue to decline across all market segments. This trend is likely to be primarily driven by the delivery of additional supply, which we expect to total over 400,000sqm by the end of 2019. However, the vast majority of this supply is concentrated in the grade A and citywide office market. As a result, we expect prime market rents to be less affected
12-month % change
Source: Knight Frank Research, Property Monitor
Forecast office supply
9.0
4.5
8.0
4.0
7.0
3.5
6.0
3.0
5.0
2.5
4.0
2.0
3.0
1.5
2.0
1.0
1.0
0.5 2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
6-month % change
3-month % change
to remain challenging, with rental rates continuing to fall. However, the rate of decline is likely to start to moderate, particularly in the prime and grade A segments. Knight Frank’s view is based on limited levels of supply due to enter the market in these segments, with the vast majority of the 165,000sqm of additional supply expected by 2020 classed as citywide stock in non-core locations. As a result of renewed activity in the oil sector and the expected benefits of the AED 50bn stimulus packages, as well as the easing of regulation, we expect demand to tick up from early 2019.
Existing office supply 5.0
2015
12-month % change
Abu Dhabi office supply, million sqm of GLA
10.0
2014
3-month % change
by the influx of new supply in the medium term. While demand was subdued in 2018 after a strong start to the year, we believe that due to the easing of regulations, freezing of government fees, economic stimulus packages and continued introduction of dual-licensing in free zones, demand is likely to tick up over the short to medium term from both existing and new market entrants. However, there will naturally be a lag between the implementation and pick-up from corporate occupiers. In the short to medium term, we expect market conditions in Abu Dhabi’s office sector
Dubai office supply, million sqm of GLA Existing office supply
6-month % change
2021
2022
2014
2015
2016
2017
Forecast office supply
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
February 2019 13
Analysis
The SkeleTal Framework Big Project’s Angitha Pradeep takes a look at Dubai’s 2019 Public Budget Law and how economic and structural reforms will keep the country’s infrastructure growth on course The Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has signed the 2019 Public Budget Law for a total expenditure of $15.46 billion, slightly higher than last year’s $15.41 billion, itself a 19.5% jump from 2017. The 2018 budget also had a 47% rise in infrastructure spending, to $3.24 billion, as the UAE made preparations to host Expo 2020. 2019 infrastructure spending falls to $2.50 billion, which can be credited to certain 16 February 2019
Expo projects being completed, but it is driven by the same objectives as the 2018 budget. According to a 2018 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report titled ‘Growth Markets Insights’, fluctuating oil prices and a decrease in investment from India and China have slowed down growth in the UAE. Despite strained market conditions, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry is forecasting single-digit GDP growth for the UAE between 2019 and 2023, with the construction
sector at the forefront of economic expansion. According to the government’s macroeconomic model, expansionary fiscal policy and a growing number of infrastructure and construction investments in the run-up to Expo 2020 Dubai are expected to keep the country’s GDP on the rise. “Even with the slight rebound in oil prices, there is still significant pressure on government budgets and the drop [in infrastructure spending] is not totally unexpected by the industry,” says Dominic Holt, partner at PwC. He believes
this drop does not represent a slowdown in infrastructure projects or diversification of spending to other sectors, but rather is reflective of the projected use of different funding methods and spending profiles for infrastructure projects. “There has been a publicprivate partnership (PPP) law in Dubai since 2015, but not many projects have been procured under this approach,” explains Holt. “However, the focus on using private finance to deliver infrastructure projects is
Analysis
Incre ased focus There is an increased focus on collab oration and innovation within the constructio n indus try, says Dominic Holt.
Dual effect Holt believes that there will be a dual effect of emerging and future technologies on infrastructure development.
becoming a top priority for the Dubai government, and there is movement in this space with the announcement of specific PPP projects by the Dubai Health Authority, Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Municipality.” He adds that while the use of PPP is intended to spread costs and reduce upfront capital spending by government departments, it also brings other benefits like increased foreign direct investment and growth of the local supply chain, which in turn creates jobs as well as fast-tracking innovation and
diversification of the economy. Holt points out that the sector continues to face challenges and pressure to perform and deliver “more for less”. PwC’s ‘Capital Projects and Infrastructure Survey Report’ claims that since 2016, there has been a slowdown in the commissioning of construction projects, and the financial stress among major contractors highlights a pressing need for reform and change across the industry. The report also says there needs to be much more effective
“Without continuous improvement to the way projects are procured, financed and delivered, it will be increasingly difficult for clients and the supply chain to extract value from these contracts in a sustainable manner” collaboration between customers and contractors, recognising that contract awards based on ‘lowest cost wins’ very often fail to secure the best whole-of-life outcome in value terms. Lowest-cost decisions give key players in the construction supply chain little capacity or incentive to invest in initiatives that deliver better quality and value over time. “Without continuous change and improvement to the way projects are procured, financed and delivered, it will be increasingly difficult for
clients and the supply chain to extract value from these contracts in a sustainable manner. Stress on contract prices, working capital and cash flow have hurt many regional and international players who operate in the Middle East. It is clear that the industry needs to evolve,” Holt asserts. The industry is taking steps in the right direction with an increased focus on collaboration and innovation. In Dubai, where BIM (building information modelling) is mandated on government projects, a platform is being created for collaboration and efficient working from the inception of a project through operation and maintenance. However, Holt believes there will be a dual effect of emerging and future technologies on infrastructure development. “In the delivery of infrastructure itself, the industry needs to become smart and adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and other such technologies to assist with the cost pressure as outlined,” he says. “But there can be further developments through the use of drones for site monitoring and progress management, and then ultimately bring all these aspects together using blockchain technologies to provide for a fully integrated smart approach to infrastructure delivery.” There should also be a rethinking of how infrastructure is built. One of the effects of emerging and future technologies is that it will make the industry stronger and demand-driven. “Infrastructure itself will not revolutionise the economy, but the right infrastructure, well planned and efficiently delivered, maintained and operated, is the enabler for economic development,” Holt says in conclusion. February 2019 17
In Profile
“The industry is going through a change. 2019 will be a year in which the trends will be accentuated and will progress as part of the natural curve of the industry’s development” Big Project ME asks leading figures in the regional construction industry to lay out their thoughts for the year ahead, and to predict the major trends and issues that could disrupt the sector in 2019
February 2019 19
In Profile
“increasingly sophisticated data analytics are helping landlords and tenants determine the most effective location and retailer complementarity” Nicholas Mclean, managing director, CBRE Middle East 20 February 2019
The evolving global economic order, digitisation and shifting consumer trends are underpinning a likely wave of changes throughout the UAE’s real estate industry in 2019. The introduction of new laws relating to 100% foreign ownership, dual licensing and longer visas for highly skilled professionals working in the science, research and medical fields demonstrate the country’s commitment to developing a thriving knowledge-based economy, a world-class business hub and an economic regional powerhouse. The consolidation of occupiers’ office space across the emirates in 2019 is a continuing trend, as they take advantage of competitive market rents, greater efficiency and more flexible space. The majority of our Fortune 500 clients who are enthusiastic for expansion and entry into the Middle East region continue to target UAE business hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Asia Pacific corporations in particular are undertaking an increased level of exploratory activity in the Dubai market. Dubai’s retail sector is highly competitive among both occupiers and landlords. Differentiation and the successful introduction of omnichannel shopping experiences in the former group and flexibility with the latter group will prove the key to success for many brands. As more new malls move closer to completion, it will be important for existing facilities to continue to innovate to provide destinations that go beyond retail and offer a wealth of entertainment, wellness and F&B experiences. We can expect to see a rise in the number of lifestylefocused retail venues. As the retail sector adapts to changing
consumer trends and habits, increasingly sophisticated data analytics are helping landlords and tenants determine the most effective location and retailer complementarity. The growing impact of digitisation and experiential shopping at brick and mortar outlets will be crucial in driving efficiency, margin and integration of online and offline propositions. In 2018, we saw a strong increase in demand for highquality warehouse space as more international brands look to move into the UAE market. Access to land for development and the relatively small size and opacity of the market remain key challenges. Opportunities for investors do however exist in this sector, particularly where end users occupy under the terms of longer leases of ten years or more. As the popularity of online shopping and sameday delivery continues, we can expect the demand for highquality space to continue to rise, especially in strategic areas. Saudi Arabia is an important market to watch in 2019. The Kingdom’s fledgling entertainment and tourism sectors are set to grow rapidly, with the government suggesting that it will invest $64 billion over the next decade. It is hoped that this expansion will drive more new visitors to the region. Returning to the UAE and the challenges faced across several real estate sub-sectors, the country has proven itself to be robust in reacting to, and in some cases initiating, new demand for real estate. The demonstrable agility of the UAE and its increasing ability to adapt to challenges will be instrumental in facilitating growth across all the diverse components that make up the property markets here.
In Profile
With the 10-year residency visa for expats and 100% foreign ownership policies initiated by the government in 2018, investments will become more lucrative, which is likely to have a positive impact on demand, especially in the real estate sector. This would be aided and assisted by the moderate recovery projected in oil prices as well as possible rationalisation in USD in 2019. Government spending has increased across various sectors, which has led to increase in economic activities and has boosted the market sentiment. As Expo 2020 is right around the corner, we will see more pronounced and visible impacts on the economy, with more infrastructure projects materialising. With Expo 2020 set to welcome more than 20 million tourists, the hospitality sector at large and the mid-level hotels (three-star deluxe) segment in particular are expected to be in demand. We see near to completion and completed projects gaining traction from the end user as well as investor community, as tighter markets would possibly force developers to delay deliveries. Developers that deliver quality product with a good delivery track record will capture increased buyer interest. With new supply entering the market, developers need to adapt more creative approaches (incentives, extended payment plans and efficient unit designs) to retain their market share, which is in favour of the buyers. Exclusive properties with good quality, excellent locations and views will be in demand and would continue to be the preferred choice of niche clienteles and high-net-worth individuals. With ongoing correction in rents, residents have wider choices with a tendency to move towards community living rather than stand-alone buildings, where they have better amenities and quality of living. This trend would lead to high-quality units delivered within good communities having higher occupancy and relatively stable rentals. Overall, this seems to be the right opportunity for developers to cash in on their persistent focus on quality and on-time delivery.
“As Expo 2020 is right around the corner, we will see more pronounced and visible impacts on the economy, with more infrastructure projects materialising � Francis Alfred, managing director and CEO, Sobha Realty February 2019 21
In Profile
“higher capital spend in 2019 on construction projects throughout the region will likely draw an increased focus on ROI for developers and investors” Stephen Degenhart, associate partner, Drees & Sommer and managing director of the Middle East Office 22 February 2019
The regional construction sector will offer greater opportunities for the digitisation and revitalisation of built assets and the use of adaptive modular design as a construction tool. We predict increased momentum in the construction industry, driven by long-term economic diversification plans including Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030. These agendas will develop sectors such as hospitality, healthcare and infrastructure. Tourism and gradually stabilising oil prices will contribute to higher capital spend on construction projects in the region over the coming year. Furthermore, although the real changes will only happen over the next ten years, higher capital spend in 2019 on construction projects throughout the region will likely draw an increased focus on ROI for developers and investors. Adaptive modular design and digitisation at the planning stage and revitalisation at the operation phase are the front runners to enable increased ROI. The Middle East’s construction industry is currently far less digitally developed than those in other parts of the world, presenting a key opportunity for growth. Saudi Arabia and the UAE will continue to be the largest regional markets and are expected to award contracts valued at over $320 billion over the next twelve months.
Greater attention will be given to projects throughout the three stages of the construction process – planning, build and operations – with particular emphasis on early adoption in the planning stage or even phase zero. This will provide greater opportunity for the integration of digitised adaptive modular solutions to ensure longevity, flexibility and ROI. Key digital trends such as 3D printing, 3D laser scanning, digital prefabrication and continuous advances in BIM will begin to make more of an appearance within the regional construction sector as it continues to develop and shift in focus towards a more digital future. Markets such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia will have different requirements to markets such as Egypt and Oman, as those countries’ economic diversification agendas focus more on transport and infrastructure. Additionally, greater up-front capital investment will lower the need for cost-cutting as Drees & Sommer expects to see opportunities for longer lifecycles for buildings to become more of a priority, with higherquality and smart materials being implemented. These shifts will contribute to more sustainable solutions and align with various governmental initiatives such as Expo 2020 Dubai, Saudi Vision 2030 and Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.
In Profile
ALEC has been involved in numerous complex projects over the course of the year, and we are experiencing trends that are influencing the construction industry and will change the way we deliver projects in the future. There is a trend towards more Design and Construct projects in the market, where the client enters into contract with one entity with one point of contact. The brief and scope for a Design and Construct should be clearly defined up front by the client. By engaging all stakeholders at an early stage, value can be obtained through cost-effective designs, specifications and construction methods being implemented. The positive value-add aspects of Design and Construct are a reduction in design time, simplification of construction drawings, best available products being specified, right sequence and the most effective construction methods being adopted. Programmes can be improved, risks can be mitigated and clear lines of responsibility and deliverables established. In the future, we need to reduce the volume of work executed on-site. There is a global shift towards modular construction where increased off-site manufacturing is completed in a controlled environment. Increased levels of off-site manufacture will result in fewer people on-site, reduced levels of pollution, less waste and reduced noise levels, as most of the production will occur in a controlled factory environment. With increased modular units being delivered to sites, the requirement for heavy lifting capacity tower cranes will also increase at a rapid rate. Our industry is also moving towards smart energy-efficient solutions. We are fortunate that
due to the various businesses that we are involved with, we can add additional value to our clients by providing rooftop solar solutions through ALEC Energy, and provide energysaving solutions through Smart4Power. For example, Dubai Hills Mall’s solar power facility will feature 24,000 solar panels on the mall’s roof. As a result, the project will record an offset of 4.62 million kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. ALEC Energy provides a full solution, from system design and local approval to construction of the full solar installation. The Dubai Hills Mall scheme demonstrates how contractors can add value to a project and the developer by providing great solutions. This collaboration across the supply chain, from clients through to sub-contractors, is essential, and a contractor’s early involvement can ensure that efficient designs, products and solutions are delivered. We strive to create a culture of innovation throughout the business, where everyone is constantly trying to figure out how to improve efficiency and production. Everything we do should be simplified as much as possible, and improvements should be recognised and communicated. Innovation should be ingrained in everyone and all should constantly have an open mind and embrace new technologies and products across our industry. The UAE’s population is growing by approximately 100,000 people a year, and with that comes demand for infrastructure, housing, schools, hospitals and entertainment. The Al Maktoum International Airport has commenced, and this will be a huge construction project that will be delivered over the next decade.
“Innovation should be ingrained in everyone and all should constantly have an open mind and embrace new technologies and products across our industry” Kez Taylor, CEO, ALEC February 2019 23
In Profile
“With current market conditions, it is inevitable that developers and building owners look more closely to their existing assets to maximise their value and revenue potential” Saeed Alabbar, managing director, AESG 24 February 2019
The urgency of transitioning to near-zero or net-zero energy buildings came to the fore in 2018, with the IPCC releasing a report in October seen as ‘’a final call to save the world from climate catastrophe’’. This new study says that going past 1.5°C is dicing with the planet’s liveability. And the 1.5°C temperature ‘guard rail’ could be exceeded in just 12 years, a frighteningly short timescale. On the positive side, 2018 saw the start of far-reaching actions necessary to achieve the targets of the Paris agreement, as leaders from some of the world’s biggest cities plus two major regions have committed to enact regulations and/ or planning policies that will require all new buildings within their jurisdiction to operate at net-zero carbon from 2030; and all buildings, including existing, to operate at net-zero carbon by 2050. We have already seen the first movers in this space and are working with some forwardthinking clients on net-zero and near-zero schemes. We anticipate that in line with global trends, this will be an area that will continue to gain significant momentum in the Middle East in 2019. Economic challenges in 2018 continued to drive the need for value engineering (VE), though all too often clients opted to do so too late, resulting in the VE exercise being reduced to mere cost-cutting at the expense of quality. Clients often wait until they finalise their building layouts with the architectural teams before engaging the rest of the team. However, having the engineers work closely with the architect to optimise the building design and distribution, and details such as the location of
main plant rooms, provides the greatest likelihood of ultimately achieving the best value. The current design process must change to avoid this and the conflicts that arise from it. To be truly effective, VE must commence at the start of a project and involve close collaboration between teams, and should be woven into the project development process rather than treated as a cost-cutting exercise carried out only once designs have been completed. With current market conditions, it is inevitable that developers and building owners look more closely to their existing assets to maximise their value and revenue potential. This is coupled with the market reaching a maturity level wherein there is an increasing number of aging assets that are in urgent need of refurbishment. One challenge that has been evident in this process is the lack of accurate documentation and records for existing buildings, including those that have been recently handed over. A BIM model with asset data attached is the best method for managing data throughout the project, from concept to handover. Unfortunately, the use of BIM is still concentrated on visual elements rather than information, so this needs a mindset change before it can work successfully. Logging and reporting on this information could be used to draw comparison with predictions from the design. This would then give building owners the ability to correct operating issues quickly and reduce their OpEx, while increasing the life of their investments. Overall, 2018 saw a solid foundation being set in place, and I remain optimistic for 2019.
In Profile
The industry is already going through a change, as we have seen in the last few years. 2019 will be a year in which the trends will be accentuated and will progress as part of the natural curve of the industry’s development. We are all looking for refined efficiency in the construction industry, and in all industries as a matter of fact. This is the underlying objective behind all trends in the market. Our industry is rightly going through a needed correction driven by the business challenge of the ultimate outcome produced by construction companies, so efficiency across the industry’s vertical line is looked at differently recently, which allows new outlooks on collaboration, technology deployment and talent management. Collaboration between the key parties is taking a new shape, moving away from traditional procurement strategies to early-stage contractor engagement. More clients are asking us for the design and build route, or to be present in the planning at an early stage to ensure value engineering of the projects. Another important factor that drives efficiency is innovation and the deployment of technology – how can we do things better, faster and with a lower cost. The construction cost is the main part of clients’ price strategy, it impacts the entire cycle, and we are very aware of that. We take this as a challenge to advance even more our operations and to cut inefficiencies across the supply chain. Tech and innovation are crucial tools to achieve this. At ASGC, an innovation platform is set for the workforce to be part
of new ideas and enhancements of operations and processes. Of course, technology plays a big role in innovation and we will see it woven in more and more in our day-to-day business. We are already a cloud-based company – the first contractor with a cloudbased platform, we have deployed drones not only for clients’ regular progress reports but also for internal teams to assess, plan and take the corrective measures when needed. We have developed BIM to its highest levels, and we will keep on developing it. We have many innovative and technological projects in the pipeline that are being tested and implemented in different areas of our business, be it labourers’ safety and productivity, asset management, operations, procurement processes or even talent management. It is time for the construction industry to be in the high wave of Industry 4.0. Talent management is also one definite focus for this year. It is certainly not a new focus, but the need for more efficiency and innovation calls for a refinement of the talent management strategies in what comes to recruiting more stars, training and developing employees, and setting strategic growth plans for them. Plus, a change of employee mindset is needed to accelerate the company’s digital transformation, and we are responsible for providing an environment that allows creativity and innovation. Refined talent management will allow companies to drive a more efficient and agile business on one side, and will create a more fulfilling career for employees on another side.
“Collaboration between the key parties is taking a new shape, moving away from traditional procurement strategies to earlystage contractor engagement” Bishoy Azmy, CEO and executive director, ASGC February 2019 25
Site Visit
W ork ing in
Big Project ME takes a trip to Dubai Creek Harbour to see how work is progressing on the Creekside 18 towers being built by Al Naboodah Construction Group for Emaar 26 February 2019
Site Visit
Harmony
February 2019 27
Site Visit
E
ver since it was announced, the Dubai Creek Harbour development has been regarded as one of Dubai’s most intriguing and exciting master-planned real estate projects. The development aims to integrate a smart green city with the cultural heritage of Dubai. Located next to Ras Al Khor wildlife sanctuary, the Dubai Creek Harbour project is a mixeduse development with several icons, such as the upcoming Dubai Creek Tower; Dubai Square, the
retail metropolis of the future; the Creek Marina, billed to be the new Riviera of the Middle East with a dedicated world-class yacht club as well as an impressive array of shopping and dining facilities; and Creek Beach, an urban beach. All these combine with cultural, leisure and educational amenities and high-end residential living. One of the key components of the 6sqkm master-planned development is Creek Island Dubai, situated opposite the imposing skyline of Downtown Dubai. Planned to be one of the primary attraction centres of Dubai Creek Harbour, the district consists of a number of high-rise residential towers built on what will become an artificial island once all work is completed. Al Naboodah Construction
StAtS: Project Name: Creekside 18 Scheduled Completion Date: Q3 2019 Total Residential Space: 7,300,000sqm Total Retail District: 900,000sqm Parks and Open Spaces: 700,000sqm Height of Towers: 39 levels each Number of Apartments: 500
Group (ANCG), part of Al Naboodah Group Enterprises, was appointed as the main contractor for Creekside 18, a residential destination in Creek Island Dubai developed by Emaar, with a contract duration of 30 months. The scope of works for Creekside 18 towers includes the construction of two residential towers of 39 levels comprising 500 residential units, including 33 typical floors, penthouses, townhouses, retail areas and the surrounding external landscape works within the plot. The two towers share a common podium which has five levels to it – three ground levels and two basement levels. Construction commenced in Q1 2017, and 63% progress has been achieved to date. Structure Construction on schedule The project is progressing on schedule, with testing and commissioning works scheduled to start in Q2 2019, while handover is forecast for Q3.
“ANCG’s core belief is in value engineering on jobs. We want to be a contractor of choice to high-profile clients like Emaar, we are a service provider that identifies options and solutions. We believe that this is cost-effective to the client and time-saving for the programme” 28 February 2019
Site Visit
Finding problems before going on-site Many hours are spent at a micro level to find all possible constraints and delays to the construction schedule before they are encountered on-site, says Waters.
works were completed on time, and the envelope, MEP, lifts and internal finishes works are progressing at a brisk pace. Permanent power in the premises is forecast to be available in Q2 2019, which will kick start the testing and commissioning works, and the whole project is forecast to be handed over by Q3 2019. “We’re committed to our baseline dates, so there have been many hours spent at a micro level to find all possible constraints before we hit them on-site,” says Glenn Waters, project manager for Al Naboodah Construction Group, during a tour of the site with Big Project ME. “That’s the Al Naboodah way of working – we do just as much work behind the scenes as we do on-site. This is to eliminate and reduce any form of delay, or certainly try to mitigate that delay before we commence work.” ANCG has a fully integrated work package planning and monitoring system, as part of the Project Time Management function. Key milestones and important packages are monitored and tracked diligently to minimise risks to the project, and issues are dealt with using the most appropriate workaround solutions, since time is of the essence for any project. Authority approvals are being processed through
DCCA (Dubai Creative Cluster Authority), which supports the project timelines and ensures the start of testing and commissioning will take place on time, a crucial milestone. “As well as the baseline programme, we have also derived a further target monitoring programme. Here we’re monitoring all activities, with all the detailed levels. That is how we’ve been able to enforce all these things and take care of them. Everything is highlighted in terms of drawings and plans, key points have been added,
and level by level we’ve made schematics with the target dates and all relevant information. There’s daily monitoring on-site as well,” says Mohammed Ali Khan, HSE Manager for Al Naboodah. ANCG’s in-house expertise plays a crucial role in supporting the project. The group’s in-house ready mix concrete and plant facilities put it in the unique position of being able to selfsupply its own requirements, on time and to a very high standard. It is also able to monitor the environmental performance of its materials through its
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) software. In addition, ANCG’s MEP division, Trans Gulf Electromechanical, was able to contribute to the substructure works while the main MEP contractor was being finalised, keeping the project programme on track. Given ANCG’s well-earned reputation for taking safety seriously, it’s no surprise that Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards on the Creekside 18 Towers are a priority for the project team. With around 2,000 people currently operating on-site, including all staff and subcontractors, it is an immense point of pride to the team that nine million accident-free man hours have been achieved to date, with no Lost Time Injuries (LTI) since the start of the project. Waters says the push towards safety has been a conscious decision driven from the very top. “Senior management typically start on-site meetings with safety. The next topic will be quality, and then production. There are area managers that will look at nothing
Minimising risk Key milestones and important packages are monitored and tracked diligently to minimise risk to the project, while issues are dealt with using the most appropriate workaround solutions, since time is of the essence.
February 2019 29
Site Visit
Stringent safety training Safety training is taken very seriously by ANCG, with operators having to undergo stringent safety inductions, training under foremen and daily safety task instructions.
else but HSE. From top down, it’s a priority above all else. If I go into a meeting as a project manager, the first thing on the agenda will be safety, and that will go down to site level,” Waters stresses. “In addition to our own rigorous safety standards, we’re complying with the safety codes of all the key stakeholders, including the Dubai Municipality Code for Construction Safety Practice, the Dubai Creative Cluster Authority and Emaar’s own special Code of Safety Practice,” says Khan. Furthermore, he explains that the coordination and collaborative approach Al Naboodah takes on other aspects of the job is also in play here. “We are managing safety by engaging the operations team into our work. They do weekly checklists on the safety side, and engineering and project managers do weekly safety inspections independently and circulate reports.” Khan explains that there are two types of safety training carried out by ANCG on its projects – external/third-party training, and internal training arranged within the company. “External training is in compliance with the local regulators and everybody has to follow it. With internal training, we have a training matrix which is included in the project’s HSE plan for staff and labourers. We renew our HSE plans every six 30 February 2019
“We have a WhatsApp group that has been created by the client, and if we have any issues or see anything, then we upload them”
months. If there are any changes or additional training needed, then we incorporate it.” When operators come onsite, there is a stringent safety induction. This is just the beginning of training on-site, as they are then handed off to the foreman in charge, who does a method statement briefing and risk assessment, which is kept on record. Furthermore, when the teams come to work every day, there is a Daily Safety Task Instruction (DSTI) before they start work. Running for at least 10 minutes, the briefs are recorded
Collaborative effort Al Naboodah takes a collaborative approach to all aspects of the project, particularly with regard to safety, says Khan.
and cover the risks of the task at hand, what has to be done that day and what must be controlled. “There are procedures in place with our subcontractors,” Waters adds. “We don’t do that all on our own. For every 40 people a subcontractor employs, there must be a dedicated HSE officer. This individual will be vetted by ANCG, going through an extensive interview before being approved. There are also weekly meetings with the contractors, just to go through any issues. This has been important in creating a culture of
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Site Visit
safety that’s spread throughout the supply chain, with those companies buying into it as well.” Logistics within the site and the development are diligently managed in close coordination with the client and other contractors working on the development. An added challenge for the project team is the presence of other towers being constructed in Creek Island Dubai, with those sites abutting the two towers of Creekside 18. Staffed with their own construction crews and work forces, these towers present additional HSE complications to the ANCG team due to the logistics challenge they entail, says Khan. “With regard to the consultant, the client and other
safety managers, we’re all in one loop. We have a WhatsApp group that has been created by the client, and if we have any issues or see anything, then we upload them. It’s all about open communication and cooperation.” Waters highlights how Emaar has played a vital role in planning and executing the logistics on the site. He explains that not only does the developer hold weekly logistics meetings with all the contractors, but that they are also very in-depth and well-run. “It’s run as an open forum, rather than a rigid management structure. Basically, anyone can discuss issues and it’s taken on board. It’s not a defensive system, or about appropriating blame. There are also WhatsApp groups and email groups with
the logistics managers. Emaar are also doing a very diligent job with our security, so that’s taken care of for us as well. “Obviously we have our own security, but that’s just for our own needs. However, Emaar has got control of the island – the logistics, the safety and all that – while we all report together. All the contractors work together, all the project managers know each other, the safety managers know each other, the logistics managers know each other. It’s very harmonious. When it comes to safety and logistics, we all work together,” he asserts. As part of its leadership role as main contractor on the Creekside 18 project, ANCG has had to deal with associated challenges that may not have
been visible at the start of the project. Waters explains that as a tier-one contractor, ANCG is a one-stop shop for clients. “ANCG’s core belief is in value engineering on jobs. We want to be a contractor of choice to high-profile clients like Emaar, we are a service provider that identifies options and solutions. We believe that this is cost-effective to the client and time-saving for the programme. That’s very much Al Naboodah’s mandate as a company.” With its integrated and collaborative project management techniques, ANCG is on track to deliver the Creekside 18 Towers project, meeting the client’s objectives and the objectives of the prestigious development overall.
“Everything is highlighted in terms of drawings and plans, key points have been added, and level by level we’ve made schematics with the target dates and all relevant information. There’s daily monitoring on-site as well”
Working with the developer Emaar has played a vital role in the planning and executing of logistics on the site, says Waters.
32 February 2019
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– Friday
Comment
Marcos Dorao
Building the future of railway
Marcos Dorao, Middle East BD Director for ACCIONA, outlines some of the latest developments in railway infrastructure development Throughout its long history, the railway has proven to be one of the fastest, most efficient, most comfortable and most sustainable means of transport. As a result of constant research and innovation, its relevance in the transport infrastructure of a country has not stopped increasing. Besides, we cannot forget that rail is the form of ground transport with the lowest accident rate and an environmental impact bettered only by the bicycle. Factors such as the consolidation of high speed, where technical complexity is huge, or the commitment of many cities to the metro and tram as clean and sustainable alternatives have posed new challenges in the construction of this type of infrastructure. 34 February 2019
To face them, in ACCIONA we have more than 100 years of experience in the construction of railway infrastructure, during which we have left our mark on hundreds of projects. Throughout this time, we have built more than 3,000km of railways, more than 100 stations and facilities, and more than 600km of tunnels, which represents more than $9 billion in tunnel projects over the last fifteen years across the world. In other words, more than 35.3m travellers per year. We cover every stage of a railway project, from feasibility studies (technical and financial), planning studies, preliminary and detail design, to works supervision and construction, financing, and operations and maintenance (including new stations, maintenance facilities,
tracks, rail and non-rail facilities, as well as rehabilitation and improvement of railway facilities currently in service). The technical complexity of building tunnels and viaducts in railway lines breaks down into myriad engineering tasks, drawing on all our experience in this expertise. We have become a sought-after partner in making such ventures a success. For tunnel construction, we use the latest techniques, such as tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and the innovative system of the two-component mortar technique. The technological evolution of tunnelling machines, which accelerated at the end of the 19th century and finally took off in the first half of the 20th, contributed greatly to the expansion of ground transport worldwide.
The excavation of tunnels to break through mountain ranges or circumvent difficult passes facilitated the ferrying by rail and road of passengers and freight, with their subsequent social and economic benefits. The construction of this new world would not have been possible without tunnel boring machines, which would be nothing more than science fiction if it were not for a handful of companies that have been designing, every day for many years now, veritable works of art in the name of engineering. We used TBMs to build two emblematic tunnels in Spain, the Guadarrama and Pajares tunnels, both huge milestones for engineering with respect to the technical problems overcome using ad hoc solutions conceived especially for the job. Indeed, the
Comment
Sustainable development Learning about international best practices and benefiting from international expertise play important roles in sustainable development.
“The UAE has developed a clear vision to play a leadership role in the field of rail transport infrastructure. This will be achieved through regional and international collaboration�
Guadarrama tunnel was the fifth longest of its type in Europe and eighth in the world in 2009. Those at Pajares were the sixth longest railway tunnels in Europe and 10th worldwide that same year. One of the crucial factors when working with tunnelling machines is choosing or adapting the right machine for each lay of the land. The first step is to determine what kind of earth the machine will come up against. For example, if it consists of competent rock, the main problem will be the hardness or degree of resistance of the element. In contrast, in an environment where water is present, the difficulty will reside in establishing a front for the excavation. To meet all these challenges in any location in the world, we have different types of TBMs: open-
type main beams, single shield, double shield, earth pressure balance, hydro shield and so on. Our engineers and technicians are able to adapt them to any eventuality a project presents. In production terms, our tunnelling machines are powerful beasts, boring through over 1,000m of rock a month. The innovative system of the two-component mortar technique successfully used by us on several projects is extremely useful in difficult terrain that is technically very complex in terms of excavation. The key to success is to inject a mortar made up of two components that react when they come into contact with each other, causing the mortar to set and harden quickly, giving the terrain immediate stability.
The use of two-component mortar provides a highly waterproof layer with greater plasticity, less settling or movement of cladding during construction, and greater impermeability against ground water, among many other benefits. With our own patent on a launched deck bridge-building system and a constant process of technological evolution, we built the longest viaducts with this system in Spain, able to transport up to 30,000 metric tons in weight. Although this solution has served as the base for building many viaducts of our portfolio, we have built viaducts employing other solutions, such as decks built with successive cantilevers, mixed decks, prefabricated decks and those using self-supporting higher and lower arch centring. Learning about international best practices and benefiting from international expertise play important roles in sustainable development, especially in light of the transformation towards an economy based on knowledge and innovation. The UAE has developed a clear vision as well as a carefully planned strategy to play a leadership role in the field of rail transport infrastructure. This will be achieved through regional and international collaboration, developing and reshaping policies and enacting laws to promote efficiency as well as safety in this vital sector. The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, accounts for a huge chunk of the $69 billion of rail projects under construction in the GCC. In other words, fly on rails towards the transition to renewable energies and the evolution of new mobility models. The reason is very simple: a combination of sustainability, safety and energy efficiency unattainable for other means of transport. February 2019 35
Show Preview
DOMOTEX asia/CHiNaFLOOR Selected industry delegations to meet in Shangai at 2019 edition of show As the leading flooring exhibition in Asia Pacific, DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFLOOR is driven by innovative products. In 2013, it launched the InnovAction campaign as a promotion platform for new flooring products. InnovAction presents new trends in flooring and encourages new brands in the flooring industry to introduce or independently develop innovative techniques and materials. New Products, New Promotions, New Display After a successful InnovAction in 2018, the world-renowned architect Kostas Chatzigiannis is coming back for the 21st edition of the show. The famous Greek designer will once again be the master planner of the new style flooring exhibition area of InnovAction. He will design a unique exhibition area and custommade units for each new product display, leaving a unique viewing experience for the audience. The
36 February 2019
InnovAction flooring campaign and high-profile displays will be located in 3 halls throughout the exhibition. InnovAction exhibitors are automatically enrolled in the online Best Products Competition. The competition will officially be online from the beginning of February 2019 and will run until the end of the month. Every new product will have a short video, making the online vote a unique experience for the professional audience. The awards will be conferred in each category, with the winners displayed onsite on large screens, which are rotated at the show for more than 60,000+ professional visitors. In addition, DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFLOOR will present a new product manual and distribute it onsite, along with the show guide. Floor Covering Weekly Magazine (FCW), a leading international industry publication since 1952, is the main sponsor of the showcase and will formally announce the winners of the competition.
Australia Delegation For its 21th edition, DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR is organising an Australian Delegation, in collaboration with the Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA). 20 Australian and New Zealand wood buyers will have the opportunity to network and participate in exclusive meetings with the show’s top exhibitors. Candidacy is based on the company’s purchasing power and level of interest in the Chinese Wood Flooring Market. Benefits include accommodation, factory visits, onsite match making and VIP status.
the total output value of the industry is $14.89 billion. This matchmaking event is created to pair international buyers with China’s top wood and bamboo flooring companies. 40 exhibiting companies are expected to attend. The 2019 Wood & Bamboo Flooring Hosted Buyers Program is set to take place on March 25th at the Sheraton Hotel. The program will offer half-day personalised meetings and match-making with select exhibitors followed by a networking event, complimentary hotel accommodation, access to club lounges, and more.
Wood and Bamboo Flooring Hosted Buyers Programme China is one of the world’s largest producers of wood flooring. Last year, the production and sales of wood flooring exceeded 500 million square meters. Today there are about 3,000 wooden flooring production enterprises, and
Treniq Delegation Co-organised by Treniq International Interiors Network, this international crew of 20 flooring buyers will learn more about the market and how to utilise their purchasing power. Sourcing assistance and access to networking evenings and celebrations will be arranged for them.
Show Preview
MiDDLE EasT ELECTRiCiTy
International trade event will unite power sector players and shine a light on the fast-growing demand for electricity, diversification and conservation Middle East Electricity, the region’s leading international trade event for the power industry, is readying for the biggest industry gathering in its history. The 2019 event will welcome the most recognised names in the MENA power sector, energised start-ups and trailblazing national delegations, and demonstrate the latest trends and technological breakthroughs meeting the fastgrowing demand for electricity, diversification and conservation. The annual mega event, which combines five dedicated shows within a single exhibition, will run at the Dubai World Trade Centre from March 5-7, against a backdrop of increasing regional power demand, keen investor appetite and shifting industry dynamics, which see renewables rising up the agendas of governments across the region and beyond.
The unprecedented demand for power will see industry players large and small, new starters and established leaders using the unique platform of Middle East Electricity 2019 to engage visitors in gamechanging, across-the-board opportunities throughout the show’s five focused sectors: Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Lighting, Solar and Energy Storage, and Management. “Massively up-scaled demand, supply diversification and conservation have helped to create enhanced opportunities for industry players and boosted the potential of the region’s power industry,” explains Claudia Konieczna, exhibition director – Informa Industrial Group. “Analyst expectations for the region put the exhibition in the top global league of power investment, which explains why international interest
“Analyst expectations for the region put the exhibition in the top global league of power investment, which explains why international interest in the show keeps rising annually”
in the show keeps rising annually.” The Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation (APICORP) estimates that between now and 2022, MENA power capacity will expand by an average of 6.4% per year, corresponding to additional capacity of 117GW and sector investment of $260bn. Of this, $152bn is expected to be allocated for generation, with $108bn going into transmission and distribution (T&D). The region’s major focus on renewables and advanced technology solutions, including smart grids, for which the Northeast Group forecasts MENA investment will reach $17.6bn by 2027, has opened the sector to huge end-to-end transformation. Informa believes the seismic shift will be evident among the more than 1,600 exhibitors from 131 countries due to take to the 2019 exhibition floor. February 2019 37
Event Review
ContraCtors vs Consultants Cup 2018 Consultants win the first-ever competition pitting the best of the construction industry against each other for 18 holes of golf Big Project ME and ME Consultant hosted more than 70 golfers from across the construction industry in the region for the inaugural Contractors vs Consultants Cup. Held in Dubai at The Address Montgomerie on December 12, 2018, the day-long tournament brought together the winners of the two previous events – the Contractors Golf Day and the Consultants Golf Day. 38 February 2019
Teams from both sides of the industry faced off over 18 holes, while also competing in on-course competitions and networking in a relaxed, fun-filled environment. Targeted at senior executives and decisionmakers from the region’s most prominent consultants and contractors, attendees included representatives from Multiplex, Six Construct, Faithful+Gould,
The VERO Studio, HKA Global Consulting and many others. “It was a great opportunity to meet some new people here at the golf day, both contractors and consultants,” said Chuks Nwabineli, Advisory and Experts Services at HKA Global Consulting. After a long day of competition, the first-ever winners of the Contractors vs Consultants Cup were the Consultants,
winning by 21.2, with a total of 52.32 Net, in comparison to the Contractors total of 54.44 Net. Raz Islam, publishing director of CPI Trade, told Big Project ME that he was delighted with the turnout on the day, and thanked the sponsors and participants for making the event such a huge success. “A special thank-you is due to our sponsors and partners for
Event Review
this event: Airolink, AGMC, CCS, Electric Mirror, Driver Trett, Izuzu D-Max, LACASA, Metsec, Multiplex, RMD Kwikform, Sto, Stretch Ceilings, The Furniture Practice Middle East, Trimble, Truelux Group, Al-Maeda, Cryo and Sandy Beach Hotel and Resort.” The Furniture Practice Middle East held a lucky draw for an AED 2,500 cash prize, won by Sandeep Singh, while The Construction Executive Golf Society donated a four-ball at Dubai Hills to the
winning team of the day – this was given to Karolina Barron, Hassan Yezdi, Chris Graham and Ross Hopwood, who collectively registered a score of 53.84 Net. CCS also had a lucky draw prize, a dinner for two on the Bateau Dubai, which went to Mark Hunt. On the driving range, Stretch Ceilings sponsored a ‘hit the bullseye’ competition which saw Liam Loftus win a voucher worth AED 250 for The Address Montgomerie Golf Club, shops
and restaurants. Loftus also won the Closest to the Pin in Two Competition on Hole 1, winning an AED 500 voucher for Joe’s Backyard Grill. This prize was sponsored by Truelux Group. Paull Wallet took home AED 500 to spend at Caesar’s Palace in Dubai for winning the Straightest Drive Competition on Hole 5. Aqueel Perreira won the Longest Drive Competition, winning a complimentary Friday brunch for two at Al-Maeda in DoubleTree
Hilton JBR, a one-month unlimited membership at Cryo and a weekend stay for two at the Sandy Beach Hotel and Resort. Metsec sponsored the Nearest to the Pin Competition for the day’s event, with Gary Williams also winning a complimentary Friday brunch for two at AlMaeda in DoubleTree Hilton JBR, a one-month unlimited membership at Cryo and a weekend stay for two at the Sandy Beach Hotel and Resort.
Thanks to all our sponsors and partners
PURLINS
Building with conscience.
G r o u p
February 2019 39
Tenders
Top tenders Heart of JeddaH ProJect Budget $11,000,000,000 Project Number WPR3959-SA territory Saudi Arabia client Jeddah Development & Urban Regeneration Company (Saudi Arabia) address Al Maadey Street city Jeddah 21481 Postal/Zip code 3630 Phone (+966-12) 614 2166 fax (+966-12) 614 0642 email info@jdurc.com Website www.jdurc.com description Construction of a mixed-use development Period 2020 Status New Tender design consultant Pericles Liatsos Studio (Cyprus) Master Plan consultant RNL International (USA)
40 February 2019
tender categories Construction & Contracting, Hotels, Leisure & Entertainment, Medical & Healthcare tender Products Commercial Buildings, Hospital Construction, Hotel Construction, Mixed-use Developments, Residential Buildings, Retail Developments
PiPeliNeS rePlaceMeNt & ProductioN deck ModuleS iNStallatioN ProJect – Berri & Zuluf Budget $600,000,000 Project Number MPR1575-SA territory Saudi Arabia client Name Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) city Dhahran 31311 Postal/Zip code 5000
Phone (+966-13) 872 0115 / 874 2222 fax (+966-13) 873 8190 / 874 1655 email supplierHelpDesk@aramco.com Website www.saudiaramco.com description Engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) contract for replacement of pipelines and installation of three production deck modules Status Current Project Main contractor Larsen & Toubro LLC (Saudi Arabia) Main contractor (2) Subsea 7 (Saudi Arabia) tender categories Gas Processing & Distribution, Oilfields & Refineries tender Products Gas Exploration & Production, Oilfields Exploration & Development
territory Saudi Arabia client Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) city Dhahran 31311 Postal/Zip code 5000 Phone (+966-13) 872 0115 / 874 2222 fax (+966-13) 873 8190 / 874 1655 email supplierHelpDesk@aramco.com Website www.saudiaramco.com description Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the expansion of an offshore oilfield Period 2021 Status New Tender tender categories Gas Processing & Distribution, Oilfields & Refineries tender Products Oilfields Exploration & Development
BurJ royale toWerS ProJect – doWNtoWN duBai aBu SafaH offSHore oilfield exPaNSioN ProJect Budget $600,000,000 Project Number WPR3935-SA
Budget $100,000,000 Project Number WPR3971-U territory United Arab Emirates client Emaar Properties PJSC (Dubai) address Emaar Business Park, Bldg No. 3, Near Interchange No. 5, Shaikh Zayed Road city Dubai Postal/Zip code 9440 Phone (+971-4) 367 3333 fax (+971-4) 367 3000 email customercare@emaar.ae Website www.emaar.com description Construction of a 65-storey tower featuring 520 apartments and a 20-storey tower featuring 120 apartments Period 2022 Status New Tender design consultant U+A Consultants (Dubai) tender categories Prestige Buildings tender Products High-rise Towers, Residential Buildings
PROJECT INTELLIGENCE, TENDERS & SUPPLY CONTRaCTS IN ThE MIDDLE EaST
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Tenders
Middle East tenders UAE alreeMaN ProJect – alSHaMkHa Budget $545,000,000 Project Number WPR3968-U territory United Arab Emirates client ALDAR Properties PJSC (Abu Dhabi) address 13th Floor, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce Tower city Abu Dhabi Phone (+971-2) 810 5555 fax (+971-2) 810 5550 email info@aldar.com Website www.aldar.com description Establishment of a mixed-use development Period 2021 Status New Tender tender categories Construction & Contracting, Education & Training, Hotels, Leisure & Entertainment tender Products Mixeduse Developments, Sports Complexes, Villas Construction
aquilegia cluSter ProJect – akoya oxygeN Budget $100,000,000 Project Number WPR3958-U territory United Arab Emirates client Damac Properties (Dubai) address 4th Floor, Al Moosa Tower II, Sheikh Zayed Road city Dubai Postal/Zip code 2195 Phone (+971-4) 332 2005 / 373 1000 / 515 6111
42 February 2019
fax (+971-4) 332 1874 email info@damacgroup.com Website www.damacgroup.com description Construction of 629 independent and semi-detached luxury villas and townhouses Period 2020 Status Current Project Main contractor Arabtec Construction LLC (Dubai) tender categories Construction & Contracting tender Products Villas Construction
calciNed PetroleuM coke (cPc) PlaNt ProJect – SoHar freeZoNe
territory Oman client Sohar Port & Free Zone Company (Oman) city Sohar PC 327 Postal/Zip code 9 country Oman Phone (+968) 2685 2700 fax (+968) 2685 2701 Website www. soharportandfreezone.com description Construction of a calcined petroleum coke plant Period 2021 Status Current Project Main contractor Sanvira Industries (India) tender categories Industrial & Special Projects tender Products Chemical Plants
Budget $100,000,000 Project Number WPR3952-O
iNfraStructure develoPMeNt
Oman
ProJect – raySut iNduStrial city (raySut 2) Budget $10,400,000 Project Number WPR3964-O territory Oman client Public Establishment for Industrial Estates – PEIE (Oman) address Rusayl Industrial Estate city Rusayl 124 Postal/Zip code 200 Phone (+968) 2417 0700 fax (+968) 2444 9094 email info@peie.om Website www.peie.om description Development of infrastructure for Raysut Industrial City Period 2020 Status Current Project Main contractor Al Hashemi & Al Rawas Company Trading (Oman)
Tenders
tender categories Agriculture & Irrigation, Communications/ Telecommunications, Construction & Contracting, Gas Processing & Distribution, Power & Alternative Energy, Roads, Bridges & Infrastructure, Sewerage & Drainage, Water Works tender Products Infrastructure
Egypt faiSal iSlaMic BaNk Headquarter ProJect – NeW caPital city Budget $25,000,000 Project Number WPR3922-E territory Egypt client Faisal Islamic Bank (Egypt) address 3, 26th July St, Ataba city Cairo Phone (+20-2) 2786 8723/4 email admindept@faisalbank.com.eg Website www.faisalbank.com.eg description Construction of an administrative building covering a total built-up area of 37,000sqm Status Current Project Main consultant Engineering Consultants Group – ECG (Egypt) Project Manager Army Engineering Authority (Egypt) Main contractor SIAC Industrial Construction & Engineering Company (Egypt) tender categories Construction & Contracting tender Products Commercial Buildings
territory Egypt client Administrative Capital for Urban Development (Egypt) address Tolip Elnarges, Fifth District city Cairo Phone (+20-100) 003 7737 / 109 494 9999 email info@acud.eg Website www.acud.eg description Construction of a central library comprising 2 buildings with a total builtup area of 24,000sqm Status Current Project Main consultant Administrative Capital for Urban Development (Egypt) Project Manager Army Engineering Authority (Egypt) Main contractor SIAC Industrial Construction & Engineering Company (Egypt) tender categories Construction & Contracting, Education & Training, Leisure & Entertainment tender Products Educational Developments
Bahrain daytoNa toWer ProJect – BaHraiN Bay Budget $100,000,000 Project Number WPR3965-B territory Bahrain client Nama International Real Estate Company WLL (Bahrain) address Road 117, Tubli city Manama Postal/Zip code 1041 Phone (+973) 1778 6500 fax (+973) 1778 6565 description Construction of a twin hotel tower comprising 45 floors and 40 floors Period 2020 Status Current Project Main consultant Aref Sadeq Design Consultants WLL (Bahrain) Main contractor Kooheji Contractors WLL (Bahrain) tender categories Hotels, Prestige Buildings tender Products High-rise
Towers, Hotel Construction
Saudi Arabia 4-Star Hotel ProJect – Hai al kHalidiya Budget $20,000,000 Project Number WPR3943-SA territory Saudi Arabia client Ministry of Finance (Saudi Arabia) address Airport Road city Riyadh 11177 Postal/Zip code 6902 Phone (+966-11) 405 0000/ 405 0080/ 405 5000 fax (+966-11) 405 9202/ 403 5422 email info@mof.gov.sa Website www.mof.gov.sa description Construction of a 4-star hotel Period 2020 Status New Tender tender categories Construction & Contracting, Hotels tender Products Hotel Construction
ceNtral liBrary ProJect – NeW caPital city Budget $25,000,000 Project Number MPP2656-E
February 2019 43
Last Word
Securing the Future
Attracting a new generation to the construction industry is vital, says Aquila PM’s Louise Rodrigues
Globally, there’s a reported shortage of skills in the construction industry, with a steady decline of new undergraduates and thus talent for firms to recruit. There’s an immediate need to appeal to the new generation so as to avoid a catastrophic decrease in the availability of skills, a spike in demand for the declining remaining talent and a skewed vision of the workforce, which will invariably have an impact on the value of the industry. It’s important to understand and acknowledge why the industry is failing to attract the next generation. Around the world, the construction industry has a reputation for being an outdated, traditional work environment that uses antiquated education
and training methods. This is compounded by a long pathway to career progression, with an apprenticestyle training route. There is also a perception that the industry is not glamorous, and it often isn’t. We don’t need to pretend that it is, though, because it is actually fun and can be quite gratifying – breathing life into a design on paper and watching it become a real, life-sized dream that contributes in some way to our world is extremely rewarding. In order to attract the next generation of professionals, organisations within the industry need to start thinking about what they want to achieve in the future, and that means thinking about the people
they want to attract. It may sound like a cliché, but construction companies need creative, fun, hard-working, energetic teams who challenge each other to create and deliver the best projects. While it’s essential to promote the critical issue of attracting young people, it’s also important to send an appropriate message that appeals to them. We have to ask ourselves: Would the fact that an industry was screaming out in desperation for new recruits have influenced us at career-choice stage? I think not. Today’s industry veterans had the same desires as the new generation; the only difference is that young people now have a lot more exposure to exciting and interesting career
options. Unfortunately for the construction industry, competition in terms of career options is extremely high. For the industry to thrive and attract new talent, young people need to see the positive side of the construction industry. Today, I think it’s safe to say that it can be quite a hard sell. Potential candidates are all thinking: What is inspiring about the position? What would motivate us? Is it worth investing my mind and time (a luxury that few give away easily)? What’s apparent now is that to attract the new generation to the industry, we have to cover all of the technical aspects; dispel negative stereotypes; create exposure to the variety of creative career options and paths; and
offer work placements and better career advice at school level. Moreover, once we have new people expressing interest in the field, we still need to maintain the ‘people elements’ through a positive internal and external work culture, by embracing new, progressive business models and work environments, and trusting staff, especially young people that are currently on board who already believe in the industry. We need to remember, that these are the people who will take things forward and be the role models of the future – your business succession plan. The young people of today need to be able to see themselves in your shoes in the future, to inspire them to want to be there.
“In order to attract the next generation of professionals, organisations need to start thinking about what they want to achieve in the future”
44 February 2019
All-steel casing Extra-long tread life Excellent traction Superior stability Steel belts