Construction Week - Issue 312 by ITP Business Publishing

SAUDI ARABIA BAHRAIN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES QATAR OMAN KUWAIT An ITP Business Publication | Licensed by Dubai Media City

CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM

MARCH 13–19, 2010 [312]

NEWS, ANALYSIS, PROJECTS, TENDERS, CLASSIFIEDS, AND JOBS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

T A C S MU OCUS

CITYpaFge 30

INSIDE NEWS Sixco-Samsung JV clinch US $1.3 billion Abu Dhabi contract PAGE 7

COMMENT

D I N L I G U B

T ENSION FIND OUT HOW POST TENSIONING IS GOOD FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Saifee Tarwala tells us what to watch before signing contracts PAGE 14

SITE VISIT CW W gets on top of the U-Bora Towers being built in Business Bay PAGE 16

DIALOGUE Mark Dickson talks of Madinah’s Kno Knowledge ledge Economic City PAGE 32

HOWEVER TOUGH, SHELL RIMULA PROTECTS.

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SUITABLE FOR:

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Speciﬁcation & Approvals: API CF

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CONTENTS MARCH 13-19, 2010 | ISSUE 312 7

22 SPECIAL REPORT CW discovers how post tensioning can strengthen both your development and your business. .

DIRECTORY 26 TENDERS 27 PROJECTS 28 SPECIALIST SERVICES 9 30

REGULARS 2 ONLINE 4 MAIL

FRONT 7 SIXCO-SAMSUNG JV WIN 13 EVENTS CLINIC JOB Industry dates for your diary. A joint venture of Six Construct and Samsung has bagged the main contract for the construction of Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi.

9 SAUDI TO LAUNCH $4.5 BN IN AIRPORT TENDERS KSA is set to ﬂoat tenders in May to build a new airport in Madinah and a commercial centre near Jeddah airport.

10 NEWS IN BRIEF Highlights of the week.

14 COMMENT Saifee Tarwala, senior project proposal engineer at TAV tells us what to keep in mind before signing a contract.

BACK 30 CITY UPDATE

FEATURES

The latest news and projects from Muscat Oman.

16 SITE VISIT Business Bay’s complex U-Bora Towers continue to rise from the ground. We drop in to see an enormous steel section being hoisted into place

32 DIALOGUE Madinah Knowledge Economic City director Mark Dickson gives an overview of the scope of the KSA project.

MARCH 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

ONLINE

www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com MOST POPULAR QATARI DIAR AND BINLADIN FORM CONTRACTING FIRM AL MAZAYA VOWS TO COMPLETE DUBAI PROJECTS MODERN MASHRABIYA KSA INVESTS IN ITS FUTURE NAKHEEL RECEIVES FINAL TOWER IN MARINA RESIDENCE

HAVE YOUR SAY DUBAI WORLD RESTRUCTURE? What do you think will be the ﬁnal outcome of the restructure?

IN PICTURES: HOW TO ACHIEVE LEED PLATINUM STATUS? The Ashrae (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and AirConditioning Engineers) HQ building in Atlanta, Georgia has been awarded Leed Platinum, the highest environmental certification available. What made this remarkable is that it was achieved by retrofitting an existing building. This one was built way back in 1965. Ashrae focused its retrofitting efforts on key areas, such as energy use; heat island reduction; water efficient landscaping; material reuse and water use reduction. Ashrae achieved its goals while retaining more than 75% of the existing building structure. By installing lowflow fixtures, annual water consumption has been reduced by an estimated 50%. Photovoltaic arrays on the building’s roof generate renewable energy. Proving that an existing building could be made Leed-compliant was a key reason behind the project. To read more visit www.ConstructionWeekOnline.com

JOBS OF THE WEEK Construction Director, Dubai, UAE HSE Manager, Abu Dhabi, UAE Senior Business Intelligence Analyst, Dubai UAE

ONLINE POLL HAVE YOU BEEN ASKED TO TAKE A PAY CUT?

50.0% 41.7% 8.3% No way, never.

FEATURES Commercial Interior Design

Special Report

SPRING CLEAN Six Senses is capitalising on Jordan’s natural wonders.

SIX OF THE BEST: TOP GCC HEALTHCARE PROJECTS Here are six active public projects you should know about.

MEP

Construction

SMART GRIDS NEED SMARTER BUILDINGS For the region to become truly environment friendly, buildings need to be smart right from the design stage.

GOOD SAFETY, GOOD SENSE CW ﬁnds out how implementing safety systems can save money and lives.

Not so far.

Yes.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13-19, 2010

TO VOTE IN THIS WEEK’S SPOT POLL GO TO www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com

MAIL RE: QATARI DIAR AND BINLADIN FORM CONTRACTING FIRM Mergers and joint ventures between big companies in Qatar such as Qatari Diar and Saudi Binladin Group are good signs that more projects are coming up in Qatar. It will be good for us expat engineers to have better opportunities. LEO MAGALLANES

RE: SAUDI TO LAUNCH $4.5 BILLION IN AIRPORT TENDERS Jeddah needs such a project as the current airport is very old. I doubt it is capable of satisfying a big increase in trafﬁc. All the best to Saudi Oger and the Australian company (Lend Lease)! It is very nice to see Australians entering the construction ﬁeld in KSA. ALA BARGOUTI

RE: GOOD SAFETY, GOOD SENSE Construction sites are the best examples of team work. Safety is also the concern for the fellow worker. When the safety budget is pruned, owners and managers forget the effect on the morale of the team when one of their co workers is injured or lost. NB DESHKAR

RE: MORE INCENTIVES NEEDED FOR KSA ECONOMIC CITIES This has been an issue for some time. Yet Sagia has still not drawn up any framework for interested investors. People will not come unless the laws governing these

cities are in place. Please Sagia, get things right and draw up laws to attract companies! ALI

RE: JEDDAH NEEDS ONE MILLION HOUSING UNITS Five million units over the next 10 years seems an obnoxious and outrageous number. Who, how and where did these statistics come from? Kindly include information with speciﬁc references of credible authority. AHSAN JABBAR How can investors verify the accuracy of government ofﬁcials’ press releases? I believe that now more than ever we need a credible independent source of information and statistics. OMAR AL NASER

RE: AL MAZAYA VOWS TO COMPLETE DUBAI PROJECTS The Article doesn’t mention anything about the developers biggest project by volume and value in Dubai i.e. Q Point @ Liwan. Is this on deliberate? I’ve heard the developer plans to cut back the development by at least a third or may be half of the project. AHSAN JABBAR

RE: DUBAI PLANS TO INCREASE GREEN SPACES It’s nice that even with it’s current struggles, Dubai wants to keep up with landscaping. CHANEL GOMEZ

WRITE TO THE EDITOR Please address your letters to: Post, Construction Week, PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE or email editor@ConstructionWeekOnline.com. Please provide your full name and address, stating clearly if you do not wish us to print them. Alternatively log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com and air your views on any one of a number of the latest Middle East business articles. The opinions expressed in this section are of particular individuals and are in no way a reﬂection of the publisher’s views.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

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CARES and Post Tensioning

? CARES Approved Installation

or High Risk

• Approval of post-tensioning contractor, method statements, post-tensioning kit, materials.

• Non CARES approved post-tensioning contractor may result in incorrect installation of post-tensioning system.

• Trained installers.

• Non-CARES post-tension kits or materials may not meet standard requirements.

• Veriﬁed compliance of post-tensioning kit and components with standards and codes. • Traceability of post-tensioning kit components: anchorages, strand/bar, duct and grout. • Maintenance of testing and installation records.

• Failure of post tensioned system or compromised structural performance and reduced durability due to incorrect or incompatible components or unsatisfactory grouting. • No traceability with difﬁculties to proper recourse on non conformity or failure.

Why take the RISK? For further information about CARES and an up-to-date list of manufacturers and suppliers holding CARES certification please consult the CARES website: www.ukcares.com Alternatively, contact the office:UK Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels, Pembroke House, 21 Pembroke Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR

Telephone - 01732 450000 Fax - 01732 455917 E-mail - general@ukcares.com

FRONT

>Saudi to launch US $4.5 billion airport tenders >Highlights

9 10

>Events

>Comment

>Site Visit: U-Bora Towers, Business Bay

THE MAIN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE CLEVELAND CLINIC IN ABU DHABI IS WORTH US $1.3 BILLION.

SIXCO-SAMSUNG WIN ABU DHABI CLINIC JOB By Conrad Egbert

A joint venture of Six Construct and Samsung (SSJV) bagged the US $1.3 billion (AED4.7 billion) main contract for the construction of Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi (CCAD) last week. The client is Mubadala Healthcare, a business unit of Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) and Aldar Properties. SSJV will be responsible for complete construction works of the clinic. Aldar is managing the project while Mubadala Healthcare along with Cleveland Clinic is doubling up as the consultant on the project. Work on the project has begun and is expected to be completed in 36 months. This announcement signals the second stage in the hospital’s construction follow-

ing the completion of enabling works and piling late last year. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi will be a 364-bed (scalable to 490-bed) multi-specialty hospital located on Sowwah Island - the capital’s designated new Central Business District. The hospital will be organized into the ﬁve institutes of Digestive Disease, Eye, Heart & Vascular, Neurological, and Respiratory & Critical Care, to offer an advanced range of tertiary/quaternary medical services. Like its counterpart in the United States, it will be a physician-led medical facility served by North American board certiﬁed (or equivalent) medical professionals. “Through partnerships with renowned medical institutions like Cleveland Clinic,

we are bringing international expertise to the region and setting the highest international standards in healthcare services,” said Mark Erhart, Executive Director of Mubadala Healthcare. “World-class facilities like Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi will play a key role in stimulating the development of the Emirate’s healthcare sector. As we move forward to the next stage in the hospital’s construction, we are another step closer to realizing that vision.” The hospital, which will be managed and operated by Cleveland Clinic, has received signiﬁcant design input from the Clinic’s senior physician leadership to ensure a unique and unparalleled extension of the Cleveland Clinic model of care.

MARCH 13-19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

FRONT KSA PMV SHOW REVEALS KEC OPPORTUNITIES By Greg Whitaker

MILLIONS OF HAJJ PILGRIMS FLY IN TO JEDDAH AIRPORT EVERY YEAR.

SAUDI TO LAUNCH $4.5 BILLION AIRPORT TENDERS By Sarah Blackman Saudi Arabia is set to float tenders worth US $4.5 billion (SR17 billion) in two months’ time to build a new airport in Madinah and a commercial centre near Jeddah airport. The KSA government intends to launch projects costing around $14.6 billion and complete the work over the next 20 years. “We plan to offer an operate and transfer contract for the development of a new airport in Madinah,” General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) director of business development Alaa Samman told Reuters. “The tender will be launched in May with bids accepted until October and contracts to be awarded by December.” In Jeddah, authorities wish to build an airport city that will include hotels, office buildings, housing units, malls and even a flight academy. Four pre-qualified consortia

including Australia’s Lend Lease Corporation, Saudi Oger and Saudi Real Estate Company (Akaria), as well as US developer Hines, are expected to submit bids before the end of May. The contract is scheduled to be awarded by August. Trafﬁc at Saudi airports has reached 30 million passengers annually and is expected to double to 60 million over the next 10 years. The new Madinah airport, expected to cost around $1.86 billion, is set to increase trafﬁc capacity to eight million passengers a year from three million. Meanwhile, Jeddah airport receives 18 million passengers a year and expects to see an increase of up to 30 million by 2013.Another airport city is planned in the capital Riyadh, to be launched next year. Dammam, in the Eastern Province, will follow later.

Madinah’s planned Knowledge Economic City (KEC) offers a unique proposition for investors and developers, the project’s director Mark Dickson told Construction Week at the Saudi PMV Show held in Jeddah last week. The project is planned for development on up to 840 hectares close to the current city. “What makes us unique in the economic cities is that we are adjacent to an existing city, so we don’t have to provide power stations or water treatment plants as we are tapping in to the existing infrastructure,” Dickson said. KEC plans to appoint a main infrastructure contractor, apartment contractor and villa contractor for its portions of the project. Plots will be sold to third party developers, who will then be responsible for work on their portions of the project. KEC will also appoint a contractor to build four planned district cooling plans with combined capacity of 60,000 tonnes.

MAJORITY LA HOYA BAY INVESTORS TO ACCEPT REFUND By Conrad Egbert Over 50 investors crowded into the Khoie Group headquarters in Al Quoz last week looking for an explanation from company representatives over claims about the restart construction on the US $800 million (AED2.9 billion) La Hoya Bay site, in Ras Al Khaimah, within 90 days, according to Arabian Business. This follows a declaration made a fortnight ago by Frank Khoie, the jailed developer behind the stalled real estate project that any investor who wished to reclaim their deposit can do so, along with a pledge to restart construction work on the site within 90 days. Meeting attendees heard brief statements from new

administrative representative Rick Sailors and effective chief financial officer Abdul Karim Mohammed before bombarding them with questions. The new CFO claimed that “everything [in terms of financing for the project] would be achieved,” but when asked by an investor who the planned project manager and main contractor for the development were, neither official was able to say. An informal show of hands at the meeting revealed that the majority of investors intended to accept the offer of a refund immediately. The next meeting with investors and RAK government officials is scheduled for March 17 in Ras Al Khaimah.

MARCH 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

FRONT HIGHLIGHTS Architecture

ARCHITECT BDP TO OPEN OFFICE IN ABU DHABI One of Europe’s largest architectural practices, BDP will set up shop in Abu Dhabi. The opening is scheduled from April 1 and comes after the company agreed a merger with locally-based Syna. The BDP Abu Dhabi practice will be run by Nadine Nackasha and Gary Dicken. Contracts

AECOM SCORES BRACE OF CONTRACTS Two projects, recently secured by Aecom, will provide sewerage facilities for isolated properties in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. For the ﬁrst commission, the company will work with the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) to design sewerage connections and related works, as well as provide construction supervision for the project. The second is for Phase 2 of the design and construction supervision of wastewater

relocation works under roads and utility schemes in Abu Dhabi. These two projects are already underway. Human Resources

WHITE IS NEW RMJM ME COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR The Dubai office of architectural firm RMJM has appointed Graeme White as its new commercial director for the Middle East. As a qualified quantity surveyor, White brings with him 30 years of international and over 12 years of regional experience in directing business, commercial and construction management, for large international firms across the construction industry. Projects

DUBAI PLANS TO INCREASE GREEN SPACES Landscaping and outdoor design contracts could rise after Dubai Municipality announced plans to increase the emirate’s green areas by 4% this year and the next.

Ofﬁcials aim to provide every person living in Dubai with the equivalent of 25m² of greenery by 2020. Currently the municipality estimates this ﬁgure to be 13.18m².

Madinah Knowledge Economic City and Jizan Economic City -- which are expected to host about ﬁve million people and generate 1.3 million jobs.

Business

Environment

MORE INCENTIVES NEEDED FOR KSA ECONOMIC CITIES More incentives need to be offered to the private sector to ensure the success of Saudi Arabia’s four economic cities which are currently under construction. In a new report, Merrill Lynch said uncertainties regarding the cities’ governance and jurisdiction needed to be clariﬁed in a long-awaited new legislation. “We believe that there are not enough incentives yet for the private sector to push forward these projects once the basic infrastructure is completed,” the report said. Saudi Arabia is currently building four economic cities -- King Abdullah Economic City, Hail Economic City,

GCC URGED TO DIM ITS LIGHTING DEMAND About 22% of the electricity used in the Middle East is consumed by lighting, which is a much higher rate than the rest of the world. Switching from conventional lamps to energy-efﬁcient ones can result in an 80% saving in residential electricity consumption, said Louis Hakim, VP of Royal Philips Electronics and CEO of Philips Middle East. He added that cities as well have a crucial role to play in addressing global warming. “Therefore Philips will also call for action to ensure that renovation of existing infrastructure and buildings in cities is accelerated in the battle against climate change.”

2025

NEWS IN NUMBERS

The number The year when of points the infrastructure GCC Investor work on all Conﬁdence Index economic cities fell last month in Saudi Arabia Equivalent of according to is expected to be Shuaa Capital’s greenery is what completed. ofﬁcials aim to survey.

25m²

8.9 10

provide every person living in Dubai by 2020.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

5.1 The amount of mega-tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions GCC consumers would be cutting if they switch their homes to energy-efﬁcient lighting solutions.

EVENTS Event focus

FM AWARDS 2010 DATE: MAY 19 LOCATION: DUBAI PHONE: +971 4 2108 353 EMAIL: ANNIE.CHINOY@ITP.COM WEBSITE: WWW.ITP.NET/EVENTS The 3rd annual Facilities Management Middle East Awards ceremony aims to help raise the profile of the industry and recognise and reward those who have made significant contributions to its development. Organisations who have educated and excelled, plus individuals who have delivered above and beyond their call of duty, will undoubtedly be among the award winners. Also celebrated will be those who have endeavoured to implement best practice to ensure the highest standards of safety are met and customer service achieved. This year, award cateogories include the overall GCC FM company of the year, GCC landscaping contractor of the year, MEP contractor of the year, sanitation and waste management contractor of the year and health and safety initiative of the year, among others. People awards include Middle East facilities manager of the year – an award presented to Nakheel’s Omar Khoory last year - and health and safety officer of the year. For this particular award, judges will look for best practice compliance and evidence of substantial health and safety implementation, such as training, workshops and accreditations. After the closing date for submissions all nominations will be collected and reviewed by the judging panel. Each award winner will be decided by consensus among the judges and no correspondence will be entered into by outside parties. 

Event: Building Sustainability Saudi Arabia Overview: Delegates from the world of construction are invited to a one day event to discuss the vital aspects of building sustainability. Date: June 1 Location: Riyadh Phone: +971 4 4356127 Email: oscar.wendel@itp.com Website: www.itp.net/events

how the region’s sector can stand alongside its international peers. A gala dinner will be held to present the awards to the winners and nominations are open now. Date: November 12 Location: Dubai Phone: +971 4 435 6133 Email: annie.chinoy@itp.com Website: www.itp.net/events

Event: Building Sustainability Conference, Abu Dhabi Overview: Delegates from the world of construction are invited to a one day event to discuss the vital aspects of building sustainability. Date: September 28-29 Location: Abu Dhabi Phone: +971 4 4356127 Email: oscar.wendel@itp.com Website: www.itp.net/events

Event: MEP Awards 2010 Date:December 8 Location: Dubai Phone: +971 4 435 6133 Email: annie.chinoy@itp.com Website: www.itp.net/events

Event: Middle East Architect Awards 2010 Overview: The Middle East Architect awards are an opportunity for the industry to come together and toast exceptional performance in architecture, engineering and design. Date: September 29 Location: Dubai Phone: +971 4 435 6133 Email: annie.chinoy@itp.com Website: www.itp.net/events Event: Construction Week Abu Dhabi Conference 2010 Overview: This one-day exclusive forum will gather top leaders from property developers and contractors alongside leading professionals from ﬁnancial houses and law ﬁrms to discuss vital aspects of construction and real estate. Date: October 27 Location: Abu Dhabi Phone: +971 4 4356127 Email: oscar.wendel@itp.com Website: www.itp.net/events Event: Construction Week Awards 2010 Overview: In its 6th year, the Construction Week Awards 2009 will celebrate excellence in the construction industry and exceptional performance in key areas of the sector, with nominations open to contractors, developers and consultants working in the Middle East. Date: November 3 Location: Dubai Phone: +971 4 435 6133 Email: annie.chinoy@itp.com Website: www.itp.net/events

LAST YEAR’S FM AWARDS WERE HELD AT THE WESTIN DUBAI. THE VENUE FOR THIS YEAR IS TO BE CONFIRMED.

Event: CID Awards 2010 Overview: This year’s CID Awards will celebrate the success of the Middle East design industry and demonstrate

Event: Index 2010 Overview: Index is the Middle East’s largest contemporary interiors trade show. Now in its 20th year Index is established as the must-attend annual event for buyers and suppliers of the world’s ﬁnest interiors. Date: November Location: Dubai Phone: +971 4 438 0355 Website: www.indexexhibition.com Event: The Big 5 2010 Overview: Big 5 is the annual meeting place for all industry professionals and a trade show for all products related to the construction sector. Date: November Location: Dubai Website: www.thebig5exhibition.com Event: Saudi International Windows, Doors, Shutters and Solar Protection Exhibition 2010 Date: April 11-14 Venue: Riyadh Exhibition Centre Phone: +966 1 454 1448 Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Saudi Aircon 2010 Date: May 23-26, 2010 Venue: Riyadh Exhibition Centre Phone: +966 1 454 1448 Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Saudi Build 2010 Date: October 3-6, 2010 Venue: Riyadh Exhibition Centre Website: www.eventseye.com Events: FM Expo 2010 Date: May 18-20, 2010 Venue: Dubai International Exhibition Centre Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Saudi Stone 2010 Date: October 3-6, 2010 Venue: Riyadh Exhibition Centre Phone: +966 1 454 1448 Website: www.eventseye.com

MARCH 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

COMMENT

Reduce risks with pre contract qualiﬁcations SAIFEE TARWALA, SENIOR PROPOSAL ENGINEER AT TAV TELLS US WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE SIGNING A CONTRACT

The recent ﬁnancial crisis has put many large scale UAE-based contractors in a soup, particularly in Dubai. Projects are on hold, cancelled or have slowed down. Payments have been delayed indeﬁnitely, with some developers even having gone bust, leaving contractors in an ambiguous situation. Some contractors entered into agreements with clients without much detail. The recent economic crisis has made these contractors vulnerable and some of them have paid a heavy price. After realising their mistake they’ve hurriedly begun browsing Fidic laws. Most of the tenders for construction jobs in UAE, particularly in Dubai, are governed by Fidic (also referred to as the old ‘Red Book’). The primary concern for every contractor is receiving due payments on time. The said set of conditions does not

Saifee Tarwala is a senior proposal engineer at TAV construction in Dubai. He is a construction engineer with 12 years experience in heavy civil engineering projects. For the last 6 years he has been involved in highrise, low-rise building construction in Dubai. He has a Bachelors in engineering and construction from the University of Mumbai in India and has good knowledge of Fidic laws and contractual correspondence.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

contain any clause through which contractors can look into the ﬁnancial arrangements of the developer or client and warrant the surety of their payments. However, as per the new Fidic Red Book (1999 edition), the employer is now required to submit under sub-clause 2.4, reasonable evidence within 28 days after receipt of request from contractor that ﬁnancial arrangements have been made to ensure payment to the contractor, in accordance with the payment schedule, failing which, the contractor can give 21 days notice to suspend work or reduce rate of work as per sub sub-clause 16.1. Further, if the contractor does not receive reasonable evidence, within 42 days after giving the aforesaid notice of 21 days, then he will be entitled to terminate the contract as per the provision under sub sub-clause 16.2.

“THE NEW RED BOOK ALSO STATES THAT THE CONTRACTOR IS NOW ENTITLED UNDER SUBCLAUSE 16.1 TO SUSPEND OR REDUCE THE RATE OF WORK AFTER GIVING 21 DAYS NOTICE TO THE EMPLOYER WHERE THE ENGINEER FAILS TO CERTIFY AN INTERIM PAYMENT CERTIFICATE” The opinions expressed in this column are of the author and not of the publisher.

> For the latest news and comments log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/comment

The new Red Book also states that the contractor is now entitled under sub-clause 16.1 to suspend or reduce the rate of work after giving 21 days notice to the employer where the engineer fails to certify an interim payment certiﬁcate. Whereas, under the provision of the old Red Book sub-clause 69.4, the contractor was only entitled to suspend or reduce the rate of work in the event that the employer had failed to pay the amount due under the certiﬁcate of payment. The contractor, besides noting the above clauses and qualifying the same prior to entering the contracts, should also consider some

other sets of qualification conditions (see table), which have been realised on many projects and have now become paramount for smooth project operation and to avoid any hassles. By mentioning the set of qualifications shown in their contracts, contractors can reduce a huge portion of their risk and stand a better chance for claims on time extension, cost escalation, price adjustment and financial claims. Only defining technical ambiguities will not make a successful project, but well qualified commercial aspects should also be agreed to, before entering into a contract.

PRE-AGREEMENT CHECKLIST ITEM DESCRIPTION

USUAL TENDER CONDITIONS

Work commencement

Receipt of building permit or letter of acceptance

Should be later of following Successful handover of all municipality approved drawings. Complete handover of works from enabling sub contractor. Receipt of building permits. The site clear of all obstacles and impediments

Programme of works

To be submitted within 28 days after date of letter of acceptance.

In some complex projects it is not viable to submit baseline programme along with shop drawings, fabrication and material procurement schedules, in four weeks time. Hence contractors can ask for more time. Also it should be noted that in some contracts ﬁrst payment is based on approval of the baseline programme.

Performance bond

To be submitted within 28 days after date of letter of acceptance.

In UAE, Banks have tightened rules and contractors are often struggling to get one from a reputable bank. Hence there is a loss of time. Contractors need to seek more time for this.

Engineers overtime

Hourly rates

Some contracts have high hourly rates and contractors end up paying huge sums as overtime. These rates should be qualiﬁed for effective time spent on site and not include any waiting period.

Fixed price

Fixed contract price with no escalation clause

All tenders should be ﬁxed lump sum, with provision for escalation on major materials like steel and ready mix concrete. Also, the provision for VAT should be well deﬁned.

Provisional sums

Decennial liability

Value engineering

Often provisional sums are valued at more than the legitimate cost of sub contract items. Contractors end up loosing as they only receive a percentage of the nominated sub contract amount. Contractor to verify the real value before inserting percentages for overheads, proﬁts and attendances. Contractor to be liable for 10 years for any defects, error negligence etc.

Contractors to qualify for liability only up to defect liability period and further to requirement of UAE Laws.

Right to transfer particular portion of work to provisional sums and nominating a specialist sub contractor.

In the event of savings due to design changes, the contractor should qualify for a particular ratio in which this saving distribution should be shared.

Prime cost items

Break up should be provided for ﬁxed and variable costs to avoid haggling with the engineer in the future.

Substantial completion Professional indemnity insurance

PROBABLE QUALIFICATIONS/REMARKS

Often clients are unable to solicit permanent utility connections, although works are fully completed by the main contractor. In such scenarios, contractors are unable to take up testing and commissioning. Qualiﬁcations should be written for such circumstances, if they arise at the end of the contract duration. Full liability on contractor for subcontract design items

Should be limited to certain percentage of contract or the BOQ price of that particular portion of work.

MARCH 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

S I T T I N G O N T O P O F T H E B AY ONE OF BUSINESS BAY’S MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECTS, THE COMPLEX U-BORA TOWERS CONTINUE TO RISE FROM THE GROUND. WE DROP IN TO SEE AN ENORMOUS STEEL SECTION BEING HOISTED INTO PLACE By Greg Whitaker

here was talk a couple of months ago about the UN moving its headquarters from New York to Dubai. If you read the story, then you might remember that this was fuelled by a US academic who suggested that the building that houses the talking shop was too far away from the world’s population centres, was falling down through years of over use and neglect, and anyway was resented by the majority of the Big Apple’s residents for being an expensive way to snarl up trafﬁc on a regular basis. The professor argued that Dubai on the other hand, was perfect for the task – and the place he suggested was most perfect, was Downtown Burj Khalifa’s Business Bay.

INFINITY TOWER HAS N0W REACHED THE 46TH FLOOR AND IS RAPIDLY PROGRESSING. 16 6

CON CON CO CONSTRUCTION ONSTR NSTR T UCT CT TION ON WE O WEEK EEK K MA M MARCH ARC A RCH 13–19, R 13–19 3– 9, 3– 3–1 9, 2010 2010 201

Now, there is absolutely no suggestion that the UN would or has ever considered relocating to the Middle East, though the government did issue a statement saying that the body would be most welcome if it chose to come, but if it did, then we can see why the leather-patched lecturer specifically mentioned Business Bay. Put simply, it is where most of us would aspire to work, and the sweeping, mixed-use towers are ideally suited for large organizations who want their white-collar staff to work and live in the same place. Apart from the practical benefits, such a development is also very secure, but being a stone’s throw from the Dubai Mall and the rest of the city it will hardly feel like being confined to barracks.

As an aside, the term ‘Bando’ has a double meaning, as literally translated it means ‘self development’. The build was started back in 2007, initially with Simplex acting as subcontractor. The subcontractor left site in September 2008, leaving Bando both as developer and lead contractor. Like most of Dubai, the project was launched with massive optimism, and the residences sold out fast thanks to a payment scheme where investors could put 20% down and pay the remainder on handover. This lead the off-plan apart-

SELF DEVELOPMENT There are lots of these mixed-use projects in Business Bay, but one of the most noteworthy is the U-Bora towers. Being built by Korean firm Bando, the project consists of a large five-storey podium onto which a curved residence building, with a roofline that sweeps from 12 levels at one end, up to 16 at the other, as well as a magnificent 56-storey office tower, with a sail-like curved side. Every single floor of this business tower was snapped up by a foreign hedge fund firm, off-plan, back in 2006, before a single bore was cast. Meanwhile, the residence was sold in two phases to private investors.

ments to change hands at one stage for a reported AED3000 per square foot. The market has changed considerably now of course, but Bando are still conﬁdent that the market wants a building constructed

“EACH TRUSS HAS TOP CHORD, BOTTOM CHORD, DIAGONAL MEMBERS AND CONNECTION PLATES.” to the highest standards of design and ﬁnish. However, due in part to the market and also because of the challenging design, the build is running behind the originally projected completion date of September 2009. That said, the project is progressing at a steady rate again and project director Jae Myung Park told us that the building would still be ready at the end of the year.

STEEL MOVING

U-BORA TOWERS IS BEING BUILT BY BANDO.

THE PRE-FABRICATED STEEL TRUSS WEIGHED IN AT AROUND 270 TONNES.

CW visited on a special day in the project, as a huge pre-fabricated steel extrusion said to weigh as much as 270 tonnes is being ﬁtted to the top of a cut-out in the residence block. This huge piece of metalwork spans 35 meters and consists of heavy trusses, beams and pipe bracings. Each truss has top chord, bottom chord, diagonal members and connection plates. There are always a great number of workers scurrying around

A LIEBHERR LTM 1500-8.1 HELPED ON THE LIFT.

MARCH 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

TRANSLATED, ‘BANDO’ MEANS SELF DEVELOPMENT.

EXPANSION OF THE STEEL DURING THE DAY HAD TO BE FACTORED INTO HOW THE LIFT WAS CONDUCTED.

VSL HELPED RAISE THE GIRDERS WITH HYDRAULICS.

the site, but now there is a number more, as specialists from metal maker Techno Steel, as well as the ﬁrms that provide the gear to climb it up the building. “I’ve checked the records and today we have more than 1,500 people on site,” says the project coordinator Kim Myung Jin. It would have just about been possible to build a scaffold and assemble the steel structure in situ, but the amount of delay and costs to the project meant that alternatives needed to be looked at. Fortunately, moving extremely heavy metal is one thing specialists in Dubai are skilled at doing, so two teams of specialists were brought in to move the section in two phases.

mobile units working anywhere today. The crane lifted the steel section up to the top of the podium, but it needed to go another 50 meters higher, and into a position that no crane on the ground could reach. Instead, the developer turned to the local branch of Swiss firm VSL to raise the girders using a series of hydraulic jacks to ‘climb’ the section into position. Pressure is put on each corner of the section with the pressurised units, and so the whole frame inches its way up inside the arch.

“I’VE CHECKED THE RECORDS AND TODAY WE HAVE MORE THAN 1500 PEOPLE ON SITE.”

STRONGEST After the prefab section arrived on a low loader from the steelwork prefab yard in Jebel Ali, the first step was to remove

PROJECT COORDINATOR KIM MYUNG JIN

it and lift it up the first eight storeys to the podium. First of all, the metal had to get on to the podium. To do this, a giant crane has been called in from rental firm Al Faris. This Liebherr LTM 1500-8.1 has a 56m luffing jib and 165t counterweight, which provides an almost vertical boom setting. In simple terms, this means that it can lift almost straight up, because of the unusual design of the mast. In fact, this particular crane is rated at 500 metric tonnes, making it one of the strongest

500 RATING, IN METRIC TONNES, OF THE LUFFING JIB CRANE INVOLVED IN THE FIRST STAGE OF THE LIFT

MARCH 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

LOCAL BRANCH OF SWISS FIRM VSL COMPLETED THE LIFT PROCESS, RAISING THE GIRDERS USING A SERIES OF HYDRAULIC JACKS.

LIFITNG Hydraulics operator Peter Lehe explained: “Each jack is capable of lifting 45 tonnes and we used a series of these to get it to the

“EACH JACK IS CAPABLE OF LIFTING 45 TONNES, WE USED A SERIES OF THESE TO GET IT TO THE DESIRED HEIGHT.” desired height. Luckily, there were no major problems with this lift and we only need to get one other lintel in place on this job.” Heavy lift manager David Gratteau added: “On many jobs the time of day that we move the steel is a factor. Often, people don’t realise the amount the steel expands during the day, and this can make a difference.” He added that on this lift, precise measurements allowed for the variations though the day, which on a piece with this span can be several inches. Nevertheless, there must have been some nail-biting

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

moments as a crowd of onlookers watch the steel creep into position. Fortunately, after a tense twelve-hour session and as the sun set across the creek and in the shadow of the Burj, the section was ﬁnally in position, where it was bolted ﬁrmly in place while the sun set in the shadow of the Like the rest of this build,

WHAT IS HYDRAULIC JACKING? Jack-up construction, or ‘Strand Jacking’ is a method where concrete slabs and steelwork are lifted into position with computercontrolled hydraulic jacks. Because the multiple jacks can be moved in unison and with great precision, heavy structures can be assembled at ground level (with increased safety and reduced cost) and then lifted into position, rather than having to be built in the air. Traditional cranes and other lifting methods cannot provide this level of precision.

the pace was not lightening-fast, but the quality is very high. If the hedge company ever relinquishes it’s grip on the business tower, some very lucky ﬁrms, or just possibly the folks involved in a huge international non-governmental organization, will get to enjoy the view from this grade-A ofﬁce every night. 

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POST-TENSIONING HAS REVOLUTIONISED THE WAY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAS BEGUN TO BUILD IN THE REGION. FROM BRIDGES TO BUILDINGS, AND FROM BEING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TO COST EFFICIENCY, SOME OF THE REGIONAL POST-TENSIONING EXPERTS TELL US WHERE THEY’RE AT. By Conrad Egbert

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

ost-tensioning,whichhas been around since the 1940s gained popularity in the Gulf, particularly in Dubai, only about ten years ago. It is now widely accepted as one of the most intelligent techniques in construction with improvements being made on the concept almost every year.

WHAT IS BONDED POSTTENSIONING? “Bonded post-tensioning describes the method of applying compression after pouring concrete and the curing process,” explains VSL Middle East civil engineer, David Grattaux. “The concrete is cast around plastic, steel or aluminium curved ducts, to follow the area where otherwise tension would occur in the concrete element.” In lay terms, the process involves a set of ‘tendons’, similar to steel cables, which are then fished through the duct and concrete poured. Once the concrete has hardened, the tendons are tensioned by hydraulic jacks that react against the concrete member itself. The tendons are then stretched; they are wedged in position and maintain tension after the jacks are removed, transferring pressure to the concrete. The duct is then (coated, grouted) to protect the tendons from rust. This method is commonly used to create monolithic slabs for house construction in locations where expansive soil create problems for the typical perimeter foundation. All stresses from seasonal expansion and contraction of the underlying soil are taken into the entire tensioned slab, which supports the building without significant flexure. Post-tensioning is also used in the construction of various bridges, both after concrete is cured and by the assembly of prefabricated sections.

80% OF BUILDINGS IN THE UAE ARE BUILT WITH POST-TENSIONING

POST-TENSIONING IS USED ON 90% OF BRIDGE PROJECTS IN THE UAE.

“Post tensioning has become an extremely popular method of construction over the last ten years, as it substantially reduces the amount of raw product [concrete] that is needed for any project, which reduces cost, ground loading, is more environmentally friendly and it allows the architect a free reign,” adds Grattaux. “Post-tensioning generates excellent condition in the structure, enabling efﬁcient use of building materials while controlling deformations under service conditions.”

UNBONDED VS BONDED POST-TENSIONING In the Gulf, post-tensioning works tend to be bonded, but unbonded, or external, post-tensioning is also recommended by some contractors depending on the type of construction. In unbonded systems, the prestressing steel is only bonded to the concrete at the anchorages. In bonded post-tensioning, however, tendons are inserted into a metal or plastic duct, embedded within the concrete, and anchored in a common anchorage device. “For long bridges,” says Najdat Othman, construction manager for Nakheel bridges at Parsons, “it’s safe and economical to use the external post-tensioning system. The advantage is that you can always monitor the ducts for defects. After the bridge has been used for a few years, it may need to be strengthened more, and that can also be done easily.”

ing materials, enhancing the performance of concrete structures and simplifying construction – all the elements which bring the goals of contractors and clients together.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS Apart from research being conducted on the effects of post-tensioning on the environment, other developments in the ﬁeld are currently underway, including VSL’s new saddle for its SSI 2000 Bridge Stay Cable System, which allows cables to be installed and later examined on a strand by strand basis independently. The recent introduction of plastic ducts in bridge structures offers advantages over the commonly used galvanized metal ducts due to improved sealing of the joints in the ducts, and hence the entire tendon. “It has been the norm for most prestressing strand in bridge structures to be speciﬁed with a 0.6 inch strand and a breaking load of up to 265.5kN per strand, but the recent development of 15.7mm diameter strand of grade 1860MPa of 279kN Breaking Load has effectively enabled a 5% increase in prestressing force to be applied with no change in tendon size,” says Warwick Ironmonger, general manager for Nasa Structural Systems.

WORKING TOGETHER – CONTRACTORS AND CLIENTS Post-tensioning has revolutionised the construction of infrastructure and is quickly providing subcontractors and their clients with new ways of working together. Its implementation results in saving buildMARCH 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

WARWICK IRONMONGER GENERAL MANAGER FOR NASA STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

A GREEN PRACTICE Despite other advantages, post-tensioning is also environment-friendly. “If a typical 8m x 8m slab of post-tensioned concrete is designed to code, you can save up to 40% of embodied energy in it, compared to a reinforced concrete slab, so there are massive environmental benefits, said Tim Peters, CEO of Australian post-tensioning consultant engineering firm Alliance Design Group. But apart from savings in embodied energy, what is the direct impact of post-tensioning on the environment? Executive director, Ben Bowsher of UKbased steel certification body, UK Cares, which focuses on environmentally friendly solutions said: “Post Tensioning may be considered to be more environmentally friendly than reinforced concrete as it generally allows greater spans of structural elements whilst using thinner structural elements for those spans. This means using less steel and also less concrete.

That’s less rebar and less cement, which are both very carbon aggressive polluters. Then there’s a saving in the cost of transportation and the aggregates like quarrying. Warwick Ironmonger, general manager for Nasa Structural Systems seconds Bowsher saying: “The implementation of posttensioning leads to reduced consumption of reinforcement and the cement, water, sand, aggregate and admixtures associated with concrete. Less material consumption also leads to less transportation, and less pollution.”

and live loads. This results in signiﬁcant amounts of concrete and reinforcement, which would otherwise be experienced in a conventionally reinforced structure, being saved.” He also said that construction costs are kept to a minimum due to fewer raw materials being needed on site. According to Peters the total cost savings also depends on design efﬁciencies but could save up to 10% to 15% of structural costs.

SAVE MONEY

“THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POST-TENSIONING LEADS TO REDUCED CONSUMPTION”

But unlike many pricey environmentfriendly systems that are currently available in the market, post-tensioning is much easier on the wallet. We already know that its implementation results in saving building materials, enhancing the performance of concrete structures and simplifying construction. We also know that the technology strengthens concrete with steel and so we need less concrete for the slabs; and that 90% of bridges and 80% of high rise buildings in the UAE have used post-tensioning. But exactly how cost effective is it? “Post-tensioning is more cost effective than traditional reinforced concrete for large span structures given the active nature of the posttensioning,” says Ironmonger. “The stressing of the high tensile posttensioning steel, exerts an upward load that counter-acts the downward (or gravity) loads due to self-weight and super-imposed dead

CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME The biggest issue in the post-tensioning industry is widely understood to revolve around grouting with VSL again having invested a lot of research and development in order to ensure that the latest techniques and technologies are applied to this scope of the works. It has even published a comprehensive technical guide for best practice on the issue. Grouting is meant primarily to protect the post-tensioning steel from corrosion, and secondly, to ensure a proper bonding between the post-tensioning cables and the concrete. The problem is such only arises if this procedure is not carried out in the proper manner. The procedures of grouting and the type of cement used should be adapted

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

on a case by case basis to take into account different parameters such as the ambient temperature, the length and the size of the cables and the venting installation to expel the trapped air in the ducts. But whenever one hears of a product being cheaper it is vastly associated with being of lesser quality and therefore less durability. “Post-tensioning has been behind all the development of modern construction, particularly for bridges,” said the Freyssinet spokesperson. “The technical limits have been pushed to the extent that only post-tensioned structures can suit the needs in all aspects: cost effectiveness, safety, serviceability and durability. All combined together make it the best option.”

REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON LABOUR In the current cash-strapped climate, savings on labour costs have almost become a necessity. Post-tensioning wins here too. “We did the Motor City project in Dubai,” continued Peters, “and our labour force was reduced from 32 labourers to eight, so there was roughly a quarter of the amount of labour required in any given area at a time.” But because post tensioning uses very complicated machinery, it’s very important that the subcontractor has a system to educate and train its engineers and workers. “Post-tensioning is a specialty service that requires highly qualiﬁed engineers and technicians on sites,” says a spokesperson for Freyssinet Middle East. Ironmonger agrees that supervision as well as other factors are not areas that contractors and consultants can cut costs on. “Consultants and main contractors should be aware that reducing levels of supervision, supplying GI ducting with reduced wall thickness, ribbing and levels of galvanising; or supplying cheap anchors (that jeopardise safety) to cut costs is not the way forward,” he said. 

90% OF BRIDGES IN THE UAE USE POST-TENSIONING SYSTEMS.

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DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY TENDERS | PROJECTS | SUPPLIERS | CITY UPDATE

26 TENDERS 27 PROJECTS SPECIALIST SERVICES 28 Design software 29 Construction manufacturers/steel CITY UPDATE 30 Muscat, Oman

To advertise please call Shishir Desai +971 4 435 6375, or email shishir.desai@itp.com

MARCH 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

TENDERS §

¦TENDERS FREE TENDERS AND SERVICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO INCLUDE YOUR TENDERS IN THIS SECTION EMAIL TENDER DETAILS TO EDITOR@CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM

Tender focus

EGYPTIAN ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION COMPANY The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company is responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of electric power transmission grids all over Egypt. It also looks after the implementation of electric power transmission projects, the organisation of energy transmission, purchasing power produced by plants, and carrying out all related works. The ﬁrm is currently ﬂoating a tender for the implementation of two overhead power transmission lines from Ein El Soukhna power station to El Tebbin and Abu Zaabal substations. The bidding deadline is April 27. 

To include your tenders in this section email tender details to editor@ConstructionWeekOnline.com

BAHRAIN Issuer: Ministry of Works Tender No: SPdh/097/10 Description: Construction of a theatre comprising a 1000-seat auditorium. Closes: April 21 Fees: BD50 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.bh EGYPT Issuer: Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company Description: Implementation of two overhead power transmission lines. Closes: April 27 Fees: EP10,966 Bond: EP7,677,320 Contact: 5 Sixth October Street, El Mounib, Giza KUWAIT Issuer: Central Tenders Committee Tender No: MEW/2010/2011 Description: Street lighting maintenance works for roads in Kuwait City. Closes: March 21 Fees: KD500 Contact: Central Tenders Committee, Ministry of Electricity and Water Issuer: Central Tenders Committee Tender No: MEW/37/2008/2009 Description: Construction of ﬁve potable water pipelines. Closes: March 23 Fees: KD4000 Contact: www.ctc.gov.kw Issuer: Central Tenders Committee Tender No: PF/1/2009/2010 Description: Construction of several schools in Kuwait City. Closes: March 23 Fees: KD1000 Contact: Central Tenders Committee – Ministry of Education

OVERHEAD POWER TRANSMISSION LINES ARE REQUIRED IN EGYPT.

Description: Construction of Jaber Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah Bridge in Kuwait. Closes: June 8 Fees: KD5000 Contact: Central Tenders Committee – Ministry of Public Works OMAN Issuer: Public Authority for Electricity and Water Tender No: 12/2010 Description: Construction of a water supply system to Hij Village, Wilayat Mahoot. Closes: March 15 Fees: OR650 Issuer: Ministry of Transport and Communication Tender No: 42/2010 Description: Construction of a track road. Closes: March 22 Fees: OR175 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om Issuer: Ministry of Transport and Communication Tender No: 40/2010 Description: Design and construction of Muqniyat and Miskin Link Roads. Closes: March 22 Fees: OR1000 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om Issuer: Mazoon Electricity Company Tender No: 38/2010 Description: Construction of a primary substation for Adam Airport. Closes: March 22 Fees: OR373 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om QATAR Issuer: Public Works Authority Tender No: PWA/GTC/045/09-10 Description: Reconstruction of the Najma Road extension.

Closes: April 20 Fees: QR7000 Contact: Contract Department, Public Works Authority SAUDI ARABIA Issuer: Ministry of Water and Electricity Tender No: 764/1431/1430 Description: Construction of a customer service building in Ashyab. Closes: March 13 Fees: SR1000 Contact: http://app.mowe.gov.sa Issuer: Ministry of Transport Tender No: MOT-Makkah-7 Description: Expansion of Jeddah – Jizan Coastal Road – phase 3. Closes: March 17 Contact: www.mot.gov.sa Issuer: Ministry of Transport Tender No: MOT-Makkah-9 Description: Construction of Makkah Ring Road- phase 2. Closes: March 20 Contact: www.mot.gov.sa UAE Issuer: Federal Electricity and Water Authority Tender No: E01/2010 Description: Supply and erection of 33KV double circuit overhead line and cabling works in the northern emirates. Closes: March 17 Fees: AED3000 Contact: www.fewa.gov.ae

ONE TO WATCH Issuer: SCADIA Description: Construction of Abu Dhabi’s International Airport’s midﬁeld terminal building. Closes: Unknown Contact: www.scadia.com

> For more tenders check online at www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/tenders

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

¦PROJECTS

> For the latest projects information visit www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/projects

§ PROJECTS

A OMAN DATABASE - BUILDING PROJECTS FOCUS TO LIST YOUR PROJECTS IN THIS COLUMN EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM

Project focus

SOHAR IRON PALLET PLANT Located at Sohar Port, in the Gulf state of Oman, Sohar Iron Plant will comprise a distribution centre that will be able to handle up to 40 million of tonnes of iron ore and pellets per year. The total area of the US $1.5 billion (OR577.58 million) plant is 1 million m2. In December 2008, Galfar Engineering and Contracting was awarded the civil work contract, just over 18 months after the feasibility contract had been completed. Meanwhile, Towell Construction and Maintenance was awarded the contract to fabricate steel structures for the plant. Construction started soon after the main contracts were awarded and the project is expected to be completed in the ﬁrst quarter of next year. 

PROJECT TITLE

AN IRON PLANT WILL BE BUILT AT SOHAR PORT.

CLIENT

CONSULTANT

MAIN CONTRACTOR

VALUE (US$MN)

PROJECT STATUS

BURAIMI UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BUILDING

Buraimi University College

Gulf Engineering Consultancy

Al Adrak Trading & Contracting

RENOVATION OF INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL IN MUSCAT

Omran Office

Pentago Spowers International

Not Appointed

DHOFAR UNIVERSITY IN SALALAH - PACK 1

Dhofar University

National Engineering Office

Al-Hashemi & Al-Rawas Company

21 project under construction

NEW TELEVISION STUDIO COMPLEX

Ministry of Information

Austro Consult

Bahwan Contracting Company

33 project under construction

HEADQUARTERS BUILDING FOR BANK OF MUSCAT

Bank of Muscat

Atkins

Galfar Engineering & Contracting

71 project under construction

DEVELOPMENT OF JABAL AL AKHDAR RESORT HOTEL

Omran Office

AW2

Not Appointed

31 - 100 project under design

FAIRMONT HOTEL

Fairmont Hotel & Resorts/The Wave Muscat

Echo Designer Consultants

Not Appointed

101 - 250 project under design

CROWNE PLAZA DUQUM RESORT

Omran Office/Inter Continental Hotel Group

KEO International

Not Appointed

251 - 500 project under design

HOSPITAL IN SOUTH SALALAH

Ministry of Defence

Ibn Khaldun

International Contractors Company

PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL AT AL AMERAT

Ministry of Health

Khatib and Alami

Bahwan Contracting Company

107 project under construction

RENOVATION OF SHERATON OMAN HOTEL

Al Hasher Group

Atkins

Zubair Furnishing

25 project under construction

THE MALKAI AT BARKA

Al Maeen Real Estate Services Company

Triad Oman/AW2

Not Appointed

250 project under design

MUSANDAM AIRPORT

Ministry of Transport & Communication

Not Appointed

101 - 250 award awaited for the consultancy contract

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT UNIT BLOCK

Sultan Qaboos University Hospital

Gulf Engineering Consultancy

Not Appointed

16 - 30 project under design

SHOWROOM FOR AL MUTAHIDHA TRANSPORT

Al Mutahidha Transport Company

Not Appointed

2.5 - 15 project in concept stage

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COLLEGE OMAN

Ministry of Manpower

Gulf Engineering Consultancy

Al Khalili United Enterprises

35 project under construction

NATIONAL CARDIOLOGY CENTRE AT ROYAL HOSPITAL

Ministry of Health

Asi Etudes

Galfar Engineering & Contracting

21 project under construction

OMAN 60 project under construction 16 - 30 project under design

To list your projects in this section email details to editor@ConstructionWeekOnline.com

16 - 30 project under construction

SPECIALIST SERVICES §

¦SPECIALIST SERVICES CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MADE EASY IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK’S DIRECTORY TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL +971 4 435 6344, OR EMAIL JASON.BOWMAN@ITP.COM

Supplier focus

SAINT-GOBAIN GYPROC MANUFACTURER OF LIGHTWEIGHT INTERNAL PARTITION SYSTEMS

To advertise please call +971 4 435 6375 or email shishir.desai@itp.com

Gyproc has been established in the Middle East for over five years, but its heritage dates back to 1655 when its global parent company Saint-Gobain, which manufactured glass for the hall of mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, in Paris, was formed. With offices located in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Gyproc provides system solutions for lightweight internal partition systems to the Middle East. Products include Gyproc gypsum boards, Gypframe metal framing and a range of accessories such as screws, tapes and jointing compounds. The company also contributes to green building by using paper in the production of plasterboard that is made from approximately 90% recycled content. Gyproc is also a local producer and has a new manufacturing facility opening in Abu Dhabi in April 2010, so the environmental impact from haulage and transportation will minimised. The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is the first project to benefit from Gyproc’s technical support and advice and a range of Gyproc gypsum boards, Gypframe metal components and ProTop jointing compound are currently being installed at the development. Saint Gobain is headquartered in Paris and is established in more than 57 countries. It specialises in the design, production and distribution of functional materials for construction such as pipes, insulation, ceramics and plastics. 

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

GYPROC MIDDLE EAST MANAGING DIRECTOR CRAIG CHAMBERS.

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ยง SPECIALIST SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION/MANUFACTURERS

BUILDING MATERIALS

CONSTRUCTION/MANUFACTURERS

Painting and finishing tools

www.pinceisatlas.com.br

PP CORRUGATED SHEETS

Monoblock

ThermoBound

OTAL (LLC) Dubai, U.A.E Phone: (+971-4) 267 9646 e-mail: otal@eim.ae website: www.otal.ae

RECRUITMENT

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MARCH 13โ 19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

CITY UPDATE MUSCAT

POSITIVE PROGRESSION MUSCAT IS ONE OF THE GCC’S GEMS, BOTH IN TERMS OF CONSTRUCTION AND LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITIES, AS CW DISCOVERS By Sarah Blackman

ompared to other GCC capitals, Muscat “We have set ourselves high standards and it is very important tends to be a forgotten gem for development that we achieve out targets despite the current market environin the region. But, despite its slower pace, the ment,” Smith adds. Omani capital has been able to capitalise on The Wave’s homes are split into five sectors including Madiits heritage and natural beauty to maximise nat Marina, Madinat Majan, Sinesla Island, The Shoreside and Almeria South Apartments and Ocean View and Almeria development opportunities. Tourism is proving important, with both The North Apartments. Wave, Muscat and expansion of the airport making the headlines. Al Turki Enterprises is the main contractor for the construcThe Wave, Muscat was due to be finished in 2013 but ‘completion of tion of villas with related infrastructure work, while Carillion the project is dependant on the Alawi is the main contractor for economic market conditions,’ the construction of the project’s “WE HAVE SET OURSELVES HIGH STANDARDS AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT according to the development’s townhouses. THAT WE ACHIEVE OUT TARGETS DESPITE CEO Nick Smith, and the new So what is there left to work on? THE CURRENT MARKET ENVIRONMENT” anticipated date of completion Both the Kempinski and Fairmont is 2017. hotels are under design stage and The developer has so far handed over around 131 villas, 118 town- architects and interior designers instructed. The first hotel is expected houses and a public park. Around 300 villas and 191 townhouses to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2012. are now under different stages of construction. “With regard to marina construction, its gathering pace, as we

MUSCAT’S TRADITIONAL IMAGE HAS ALLOWED THE SMALL CAPITAL CITY TO MAKE THE MOST OF ITS HERITAGE AND NATURAL BEAUTY.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

THE WAVE PROJECT DETAILS Start date: 17/03/07 (townhouses) 14/04/07 (villas). Expected completion: 2017 Scope of the project: Construction of 4000 residential units including villas, apartments and town houses, three 5-star hotels, a 300-berth marina and an 18-hole golf course. Size of the development: It will spread across 2.2 million m2 plus 600,000m2 of reclaimed land Number of units handed over: 131 villas and 118 townhouses

place quay walls into the sea,” says Smith. “We have also reclaimed over 281,490m2 of land out of a total of 580,000m2 to construct the marina. With over 440m of wall visible above the water now, you can start to see the scale of the marina area.” Once completed, the marina area is expected to be the hub for the whole project with commercial outlets, cafes, shops, restaurants. WS Atkins is the main consultant for the marine works, as well as for the residential construction. Meanwhile, to cope with the expected increase in visitors, Muscat International Airport is to undergo a considerable upgrade and expansion. The work includes the construction of a northern runway, taxiway system, aprons, roads, utility buildings and other civil works. A US $1.3 billion (OMR500 million) contract was awarded to Turkey’s TAV Construction and the Athens-based ﬁrm Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) in May 2009. The joint venture was handed the contract even though it was not the lowest bidder for the work. The two companies’ price

THE WAVE AND THE AIRPORT ARE TWO OF MUSCAT’S BIGGEST PROJECTS.

“WE HAVE ALSO RECLAIMED OVER 281,490M 2 OF LAND OUT OF A TOTAL OF 580,000M 2 TO CONSTRUCT THE MARINA.” of $1.32 billion was outbid by the local Galfar Engineering and Contracting Company and India’s Larsen and Toubro, which submitted the lowest bid of $1.28 billion. A team from Denmark’s Cowi and Muscat’s Larsen Architects and Consulting Engineers prepared the concept designs for the project and joint venture of France’s Aeroports de Paris and Pakistan’s National Engineering Services and Partners is the project manager. Construction is expected to be completed by May, 2012. Further packages will cover a terminal building, an air trafﬁc control tower and ancillary buildings. The CCC-TAV joint venture is also bidding to build the passenger terminal and air trafﬁc control tower at the airport. Muscat International Airport handles 4.5 million passengers a year, but will have capacity for 12 million passengers a year once the work is completed. 

MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS PACKAGE Client: Ministry of Transport and Communications. Directorate General of Safety and Aviation Services Consultant: COWI-Larsen joint venture Main contractor: CCC/TAV joint venture Tender date: 26.01.2009 Constructions start date: 01.08.2009 Contract period: 1021 days Completion date: 18.05.2012

MARCH 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

DIALOGUE MARK DICKSON

General knowledge Madinah Knowlege Economic City project director Mark Dickson gives an overview of the scope of the KSA project

By Greg Whitaker

We’ve heard a lot about Madinah Knowledge Economic City project, but just how large is it?

There are two parts of the city. There is the main KEC, which is the land owned by the King Abdullah Foundation, and the core of the development. The adjoining land owners and investors have joined with us, which just about doubles the size of the property for the greater KEC. We can’t speak on their behalf, but we will be making sure that they comply with our controls and development guidelines, so that our core city is 480 hectares and the expanded is 840 hectares. We plan to ﬁnish the project in 15 years. What were the key points when considering the infrastructure?

We are providing a full suite of infrastructure, with everything below ground level. That’s the gravity services, water, irrigation and the roads. What makes us unique in the economic cities is that we are adjacent to an existing city, so we don’t have to provide power stations or water treatment plants, as we are tapping into the existing infrastructure. In which case, is there enough power generation and water capacity?

well a series of support – people brought in for other jobs, such as heavy lifting, surveying, soil analysis and so on. From an engineering point of view, what is the main challenge when building this city?

The city is actually built on a sort of volcanic basalt structure, which for contractors coming out is quite different for them. There is no soil there at all, it is all solid rock. There are some ‘woody’ areas, which are based in a sort of clay, but predominantly it is based on basalt. For people used to other parts of the region, where they have been working on sand, this is going to be quite different. From the point of view [of the PMV industry] there is going to be some heavy breaking and pneumatic rippers involved. What sort of capacity is the district cooling plant?

At the moment we have a plan for four plants, as the capacity is greater than any one can economically achieve. It is really down to the district cooling concessionaire what the exact design will be, but we envisage four plants with a capacity of about 60,000 tonnes. Do you ﬁnd events like the Saudi PMV Show, which are just

Yes. We’ve been talking to SCC and the national water beginning to take off in the kingdom, useful for contacts company and they have all been very cooperative. We believe and suchlike? they can satisfy our demands. Perhaps in places they can adjust Well, yes, because a part of our role is to make sure that we have the right their roll-out as they have their contractors working on own construction projects, but we PROJECT FACTS our projects. There is a lot don’t foresee any difﬁculties there. SR30 billion: total investment when construction is of work happening in the complete How many contractors will be on kingdom at the moment. 4.8 million m2: total land area site? So we want the right We’ll have the main infrastructure 150,000: expected population once complete contractors on our project. 30,000: total accommodate visitors contractor, we’ll have the We want to get the word 20,000: job opportunities apartment contractor and villa out there, so we want to Project main components: Theme park – “Seera Land”, contractor who are the main sell ourselves to them so Islamic civilization studies centre, complete business centre, contractors on site. There will also that they don’t go and over residential areas, passenger station, commercial complexes. be the district cooling contractor commit themselves to and the substation contractors as someone else.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MARCH 13–19, 2010

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