Dahmash and Al Saud sign the partnership deal.

Drive to promote BIM in Saudi Arabia

AUTODESK, a leader in 3D design and engineering software, has partnered with engineering firm Dar Al Riyadh to promote the adoption of building information modelling (BIM) standards within Saudi Arabia.

In addition, Dar Al Riyadh will open a new Autodesk authorised training centre to provide continuing education in BIM technology. BIM is an intelligent, model-based process that provides insight for creating and managing building and infrastructure projects faster, economically, and with less environmental impact.

“This multi-faceted collaboration between Autodesk and Dar Al Riyadh will bring innovation solutions to the architecture, engineering and construction industries in Saudi Arabia,” said Louay Dahmash, Middle East territory director of Autodesk.

“With practical, proven advantages to the strategy, government and the private sector worldwide are quickly adopting BIM, and we are eager to work with Autodesk to bring these innovative technologies to our customers,” said Mohammed bin Turki Al Saud, president of Dar Al Riyadh.

Damac tower reaches 28th level

DAMAC Properties, the Middle East’s largest luxury developer, said the construction of the Al Jawharah Damac Residences Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has reached the 28th floor.

Damac Properties, in its collaboration with Versace Home, is developing The Damac Residences, a distinguished interior design concept for the top 10 floors of the project that will produce some of the most exclusive residential apartments in Saudi Arabia, the company said. Work was recently completed on the Versace Home-designed dedicated lobby to the Damac Residences.

Mott MacDonald names manager

MOTT MacDonald, the leading global management, engineering and development consultancy, has appointed Dr Majdi Ismail as its country manager for Bahrain. Dr Majdi moves from his previous role as the consultancy’s business development director for its Middle East operations based in Dubai. He has a PhD in civil engineering and over 20 years experience in the engineering sector.

Saudi Arabia rail project on track

SAUDI Arabia is expected to award contracts for the construction of the planned 115-km rail link between its industrial city of Jubail and Dammam before the end of this year, a senior Saudi Railway Company (SAR) official said.

“Bids were received and they are under evaluation. The project will be awarded before the end of the year,” Bashar Almalik, SAR’s director of civil and track works, said.

Saudi Arabia is building several rail systems. The longest one will be 2,750 km, running from Riyadh to near the northern border with Jordan.

“Most of the network has been completed in terms of construction. Passengers and freight will hopefully start in 2014,” he said.

JGC to set up aromatics plant

JAPAN’S JGC Corporation has been awarded a contract to build an aromatics plant for Sadara Chemical Company, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical Company.

“The lump-sum turnkey contract calls for engineering, procurement and construction services for an aromatics plant in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail region,” the Japanese engineering firm said.

The plant is set for completion in the second half of 2014.

JGC is also among a 20-strong pack of international engineering firms bidding to build a multi-billion-dollar refinery for Saudi Aramco in Jizan province, sources close to the bidding said.

Muscat airport ‘ready by 2014’

THE new Muscat International Airport will be completed by 2014, and will have an initial capacity to handle 12 million passengers, said Salim Al Aufi, chief executive of Public Authority for Civil Aviation.

“Further expansions planned in three subsequent phases will ultimately boost the airport’s annual capacity to 24, 36 and 48 million passengers as per demand. The existing airport handles 7.5 million passengers annually,” the official said according to a Times of Oman report.

Al Aufi also said that the work on the runway and terminal tower are on the right track and are expected to be completed by late 2013, adding that a new cargo facility with a capacity to handle 260,000 tonnes per year has been envisaged, throwing up investment opportunities.

According to him, this airport along with Salalah airport, which is also under construction, is already opening up a plethora of investment opportunities.

On Salalah airport, he said: “The new terminal at Salalah Airport envisages an expansion of capacity to One million passengers annually by 2014. The airport has been designed with a scope for further expansion of four to six million passengers annually.”