Gulf Construction Online - DSE in $60m GCC deals

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Al Naser ... winning streak

DSE in $60m GCC deals

01 October 2015

The company’s latest successes include two projects in the UAE and one in Kuwait

Drake and Scull Engineering (DSE) won three key contracts last month (September) in the GCC – two in the UAE and one in Kuwait – worth a total of Dh219.1 million ($59.6 million), adding to its impressive tally of projects undertaken in the region.

Its latest deal is a Dh123-million ($33.5 million) assignment for an upcoming world-class mixed-use development in Dubai’s exclusive Jumeirah district to provide a new dimension to the emirate’s leisure and trade segment.

Under the terms of the agreement, DSE will develop over 72,000 sq m of food and beverage concepts and retail outlets along with the shell and core parking facilities. DSE’s scope of work includes supply, installation, testing, commissioning and handover of complete mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works by 2016.

Ahmad Al Naser, managing director of DSE, comments: “We are excited to have been chosen by the developers who have envisioned a unique high-profile beachfront retail concept that will prove to be an iconic milestone on the renowned Jumeirah skyline. The project award continues our project-winning trend in the UAE which includes our recent key project wins like the Dh395-million ($017.5 million) Jewel of the Creek mixed-use development in Port Saeed, the Dh290-million ($79 million) luxury mixed-use development in Downtown Dubai and the Dh334-million ($91 million) iconic luxury hotel and residences on The Palm Jumeirah.”

He says a retail project of such prominence and scale would be a significant challenge for DSE’s engineering division and will be an eminent addition to its high-profile portfolio.

“Our experience with large-scale retail developments such as the ongoing Mall of Emirates expansion in Dubai, as well as the rapidly progressing Mall of Qatar in Doha will prove vital in the construction of this project. DSE is well poised to undertake more projects as part of the UAE’s infrastructure and real estate development programme that is gathering steam in preparation for World Expo 2020. We are optimistic about our prospects to secure more project wins across the Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region as we further consolidate our position as a regional leader in the core engineering sector,” adds Al Naser.

Earlier last month, DSE secured two MEP contracts in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait for a total value of Dh96.1 million ($26.2 million). The scope of work on the Abu Dhabi residential community project, an upscale waterfront development, includes engineering detailing, procuring, installation, testing, commissioning, handover, and maintenance of MEP systems; and heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, fire protection, building management, and sewerage, storm water and irrigation systems. The contract is worth $15.1 million.

“The Abu Dhabi residential development is a reputable project and reinforces our historic association with high-end residential developments in the UAE. It is an important win for us as it will be an exciting addition to Abu Dhabi’s skyline, which remains one of our largest markets where we are currently working on many iconic key projects,” says Al Naser.

For the Kuwait shopping mall project worth $11 million, DSE will be undertake MEP works to deliver a new retail development in the country’s capital.

DSE is the engineering subsidiary of Drake and Scull International (DSI), a regional market leader in the integrated design, engineering and construction disciplines of general contracting, MEP, water and power, rail, oil and gas, and water and wastewater treatment.

DSI has delivered more than 700 projects around the world in the last five decades catering to aviation, residential, mixed use, power plants, district cooling plants, hospitality, healthcare, renewable energy, data centres, petrochemical, rail, commercial, government, leisure, and infrastructure sectors.

DSI’s main business streams include DSE, which serves as the MEP and water and power arm; Drake and Scull Construction (DSC), the general civil contracting unit; Drake and Scull Oil and Gas, which undertakes oil pipelines and related petrochemical projects; Drake and Scull Rail; Germany-based Passavant Energy and Environment which focuses on water and wastewater treatment as well as waste to energy; and Drake and Scull Development, which focuses on the infrastructure sector.