The RCSI-MUB.
Projects in the Gulf
01 May 2006
BAHRAIN
North Manama Causeway – Phase 1 – Dredging Work Package
Owner: Bahrain Ministry of Works and Housing
Budget: Estimated $13 million
Scope of work: The first phase will involve the widening and expansion of the current road to six lanes, connecting the Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) project. The extension, to the north of the Al Fateh Highway, will turn west and run parallel to King Faisal Highway and will include construction of three bridges. The scope of work for the causeway project calls for dredging, reclamation and rock armouring of 2.5 million cu m of material. The North Manama Causeway will provide road access to the BFH and Bahrain Bay.
Status: Royal Boskalis Westminster has been appointed as main contractor for the dredging work. Construction work will start within the next three months and will take six months to complete. Hyder Consulting is acting as Consultant on the project.
Amwaj Islands – Al Fanar Resort – Marriott Renaissance Hotel
Owner: Ossis Property Developers
Budget: Estimated $145 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of the new five-star Marriott Renaissance Hotel at Fanar Resort. The hotel will include 20-storey, 323 sea-facing rooms on seven floors, five restaurants and lounges, a 1,500 sq m conference centre and other related leisure facilities.
Status: Tender documents for the main construction contract were to due to issued by the end of last month (April). Piling work started in the second half of March. Gulf House Engineering is acting as the consultant on the project.
Zallaq Flyovers
Owner: Bahrain Ministry of Works and Housing
Budget: Estimated $20 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the expansion of the existing road to the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir and some associated road works.
Status: Bahrain Ministry of Works and Housing was due to invite bids by the end of last month to build the Zallaq flyovers. Hyder Consulting is acting as the consultant on the project.
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI-MUB) – Phase I
Owner: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
Budget: Estimated $130 million
Scope of work: The scope of work includes the construction of three schools of medicine, pharmacy, and health management, and also the main core building and car-parking facilities.
Status: Tender documents for the main construction contract were issued in early March and were closed in 9 April. Piling work has just started and will take three months to complete. A main contractor will be appointed by the end of May. Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau (MSCEB) – Aedas Architects is acting as the consultant.
Salam Beach Resort and Spa Project
Owner: Sama Properties
Budget: Estimated $545 million
Scope of work: The project, located on Bahrain’s south-west side, calls for the design and construction of a new beach resort in Manama covering an area of 500,000 sq m. The resort will include a five-star deluxe hotel, hotel villas and spa, traditional suq, marina and wellness centre. The Salam resort will be built on a long stretch of sandy white beach with a network of canals spanning 5 km to run throughout the site in order to maximise waterfront scenery, provide privacy, luxury, entertainment and leisure.
Status: A request for proposals has been issued to selected consultants for the design and construction supervision. Wimberly Allison Tong and Goo is acting as the design consultant and Currie and Brown as the project manager.
Marina West Resort
Owner: AA Janahi Holdings Company
Budget: Estimated $320 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of a luxury hotel, 11 residential towers with 18, 24, and 30 storeys that include 1,200 apartments, restaurants and a marina covering an area of 800,000 sq m. The project is located on the west coast of Bahrain near the Saudi causeway.
Status: The main construction contract will be awarded by the first week of May with work is scheduled to start by the end of the month. Ahmed Janahi Architects is acting as the consultant on the project.
KUWAIT
Gate of Kuwait Tower
Owner: Al-Shaya Group
Budget: Estimated $172 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of a 70-storey mixed-used development that will include a five-star hotel, offices, a conference centre and a car park with space of 1,600 vehicles. It will be up to 270 m with a built-up area of 127,000 sq m and 5,000 sq m of retail space.
Status: Tender documents will be issued by mid-May. GlH Partnership – KEO International Consultants are acting as the consultant on the project. Al-Shaya Group is the project manager.
New College of Basic Education for Girls – Ardiya
Owner: Public Authority For Applied Education And Training (PAAET)
Budget: Estimated $66 million
Scope of work: This project involves the construction of a segregated main faculty building, libraries, car-parks, administrative buildings, lecture halls and other facilities.
Status: This project is one of four new colleges to be developed on the Ardiya campus site. The PAAET has invited 10 local contractors to bid by May 16 for the contract. Pan Arab Consulting Engineers (Pace) is acting as the consultant on the project.
Saad Al Abdullah Township – Second Package
Owner: Kuwait Public Authority For Housing Welfare
Budget: Estimated $66 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of 321 housing units in the Saad Al Abdullah Township.
Status: Kuwait Dynamics Limited has been appointed as the main contractor for the second phase of Saad Al-Abdullah Township. Construction work is expected to start within the next two months. Kuwait Public Authority For Housing Welfare is handling the consultancy part of the project.
Legal Advice and Legislation (LAL) Headquarters
Owner: Kuwait Ministry of Public Works (MPW)
Budget: Estimated $93 million
Scope of work: This project involves the construction of a 15-storey office complex located in the Sharq district.
Status: The Ministry of Public Works has invited 17 local companies to bid for the contract for the building. Bids are due by May 9, and an award should take about three months. The consultancy job is being carried out by Al Jazera Consultants.
Al Hamad Commercial Towers
Owner: Khalid Abdullatief Al Hamad
Budget: Estimated $150 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of three office towers with 15-storeys each in Kuwait City with a total built-up area of 100,000 sq m.
Status: Construction work is scheduled to be completed by the end of May. Marafie Construction Company is the contractor on the project with OHA Engineering Consultants handling the consultancy work.
OMAN
Muscat City Centre Mall – Car Park Expansion
Owner: Majid Al Futtaim Investments
Budget: Estimated $25 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the expansion of the existing two-level car park at Muscat City Centre mall to three levels. The expansion programme also proposes the construction of two additional levels instead of one as well as expanding the eastern and western sides of the car park.
Status: Majid Al Futtaim Investments has invited six companies to submit bids for the main construction contract to expand the Muscat City Centre Mall car park. Bids must be submitted by May 15 and an award is expected in late June. Atkins is the design consultant and Mace Limited the project manager.
Al Saada Sports Complex
Owner: Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs
Budget: Estimated $20 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of tennis courts, a hockey, a football stadium, administration buildings, a sports hall, a swimming pool as well as external works, covering an area of 500,000 sq m in Salalah.
Status: Three local companies are bidding for the 15-month main construction contract for Al Saada Sports Complex. They are Al Hashimi and Al Rawas, Abu Hatim Company and Al Adrak Trading and Contracting Company. Sundaram Architect is acting as the consultant on the project. The main contract will be awarded within the next three weeks.
Salalah-Thumrait Road Dualisation Project
Owner: Oman Ministry of Transport and Communications
Budget: Estimated $130million
Scope of work: This project involves the widening of the 128km road from Salalah to Thumrait.
Status: Prequalified bidders have been given until May 8 to submit bids. Prospective bidders include Shanfari and Partners, Oman Gulf Company, Desert Line Projects, Strabag Oman, Galfar Engineering and Contracting, Al Shanfari Trading and Contracting Company, Abu Hatim Company and Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC). The consultant for the project is Nespak.
New Sohar Airport – Passenger Terminal
Owner: Oman Ministry of Transport and Communications
Budget: Estimated $300 million
Scope of work: Project involves the construction of a terminal, which can handle 500,000 passengers a year as well as a runway and associated works, including a fire station, fuel tanks, lighting and drainage systems.
Status: Companies have been invited to bid by May 8 for the consultants contract. Prospective bidders currently include Aeroports de Paris, Consulting engineering services, Cowi, Khatib and Alami, Dar Al Handasah and Louis Berger Group.
QATAR
Waqra Hospital at Southern Area
Owner: Qatar Public Works Authority (PWA) (Ashghal)
Budget: Estimated $61 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of a new 250-bed hospital with a built-up area of 70,000 sq m in the southern area.
Status: Tender documents for the main construction contract were scheduled to be issued by the end of last month (April). GHD is acting as the consultant on the project. Ashghal is handling the project management of the project. Construction work will start in August.
Navigation Tower – Main Construction Package
Owner: Qatar Navigation
Budget: Estimated $60 million
Scope of work: The project will involve the construction of a 52-storey high-rise office tower with a total built-up area of 116 700 sq m. It will be situated in Doha, on a 13,500 sq m plot. The development will also include a six-storey car-park with a capacity to accommodate 1,700 vehicles.
Status: Prequalified companies have submitted their bids for the main construction contract for the Navigation Tower, which is expected to be awarded shortly. MZ and Partners is acting as the consultant on the project and Hill International is the project manager.
Pearl-Qatar Island Development – Porto Arabia – 20-storey Residential Building
Owner: Global Investment House
Budget: Estimated $45 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of a 20-storey residential tower in Porto Arabia district with a total land area of 5,640 sq m.
Status: Tender documents for the main construction contract were issued on March 5. Piling work has just started and will be completed within the next three months. The main contract will be awarded in mid-May. KEO International Consultants is the consultant on the project.
Pearl-Qatar – District Cooling
Owner: United Development Company (UDC)
Budget: Estimated $260 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the construction of a central district cooling plant with a capacity of 110,000 tons through 18 heat exchanger buildings. The facility will serve the Pearl-Qatar development.
Status: Qatar Cool has invited technical bids for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for district cooling of the Pearl-Qatar development. Five companies are in competition for the EPC contract. They are Construction Development Company (CDC), Samsung Corporation, SNC-Lavalin, Stellar Group and Contracting and Trading (CAT). An award is expected to be made by September 2006.
Doha Expressway Project
Owner: Qatar Public Works Authority (PWA) (Ashghal)
Budget: Estimated $1 billion
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of a 22-km-long carriageway from Wakrah Town to D Ring Road (Khalifa Al Attiyah Junction) and the link to Al Mattar Street. It includes the construction of a three-lane dual carriageway plus frontage roads in the urban part and a four-lane dual carriageway in the rural part with nine grade-separated interchanges, infrastructure works and landscaping.
Status: Tender documents for the main construction work were issued in Feb and bids were submitted by April 5. An award is expected by the end of June. Parsons Corporation is the consultant on the project.
Khalifa Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Hospital
Owner: Khalifa Sports City Development Committee
Budget: Estimated $30 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of emergency, radiology and operating rooms, 50 patient beds, rehabilitation services, gymnasium and running track, outpatient clinic, thallaso therapy and sports enhancement and testing. The in-patient areas include VIP suites and upgraded amenities more common to an upscale hospitality environment including room service dining, relaxation areas, fitness and leisure areas.
Status: The project is nearing completion. Qatar Design Consortium (QDC) is the consultant on the project and Midmac Contracting Company is the main contractor.
SAUDI ARABIA
Underpasses and Bridges in Buraidah
Owner: Saudi Arabia Ministry of Transport
Budget: Estimated $16 million
Scope of work: This project involves the construction of underpasses and bridges in Buraidah in the Central Province.
Status: The project is currently in the bidding stage with Shibh Al Jazira as a low bidder on the project. An award is expected shortly. The project is expected to take 30 to 36 months to complete. Saudi Consulting Services (SaudConsult) is acting as the consultant on the project.
Science and Business College in King Faisal University
Owner: Saudi Arabia Ministry Of Higher Education
Budget: Estimated $25 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of new Science and Business College in King Faisal University in Hasa, Saudi Arabia.
Status: The client has invited companies to submit bids by May 20 for the main construction contract to build the new Science and Business College at the King Faisal University. A contract award is expected in July 2006.
Haer to Hutta Dual Carriageway
Owner: Saudi Arabia Ministry of Transport
Budget: Estimated $80 million
Scope of work: This project involves the construction of a 94-km dual carriageway linking Haer to Hutta.
Status: Bids have been submitted in early 2006. The client is currently reviewing the bids. An award is expected in the coming few weeks with Bin Jarallah being the low bidder for the project. SaudConsult has been appointed as the design consultant for the project.
Jazan University – Site Preparation, Infrastructure work and Facilities buildings
Owner: Saudi Arabia Ministry Of Higher Education
Budget: Estimated $10 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of infrastructure work, other facilities buildings and site preparation work at Jazan University.
Status: Following the approval of the budget by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education to proceed with the project in February, the ministry has invited contractors to submit bids by May 3 for the infrastructure work and site preparation.
Village Housing Development – Thol Village in Jeddah
Owner: King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Foundation for Housing Development
Budget: Estimated $10 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of 100 housing units at Thol Village in Jeddah.
Status: Contractors are bidding for the main construction contract to build 100 housing units at Thol Village in Jeddah. An award is expected very shortly. The design has been carried out internally by the client.
Ministry of Higher Education New Headquarters
Owner: Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education
Budget: Estimated $50 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of a new headquarters for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Higher Education in Riyadh with covering an area of 35,000 sq m.
Status: Al Harbi Trading and Contracting has been appointed as main contractor for new headquarters building for Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education.
Yanbu Shopping Mall
Owner: United Properties Company
Budget: Estimated $50 million
Scope of work: This project involves the construction of a 39,460 sq m mall to be located in Yanbu. This mall is a part of United Properties Company’s plan to build 15 new retail and commercial developments.
Status: Freyssinet Saudi Arabia Company has been appointed to design and build the Yanbu Shopping Mall. The French company CIA International is acting as the consultant on the project.
Jubail Shopping Mall
Owner: United Properties Company (UPC)
Budget: Estimated $11 million
Scope of work: This project involves the construction of a 13,300 sq m shopping mall to be located in Jubail. This is another mall that is part of United Properties Company’s plan to build 15 new retail and commercial developments.
Status: Otaishan Consulting Engineers (OCE) is acting as the consultant on the project. Following the award of the construction contract to Omar Khalil Arnaout Contracting Establishment (Arcon) a few weeks ago, construction has just started and will take one year to complete the project.
Salbokh Mall
Owner: United Properties Company (UPC)
Budget: Estimated $30 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of a new mall at Riyadh with total built-up area of 37,900 sq m.
Status: A consultant was expected to be appointed on the project by end of April. Bids under evaluation came from Division Design Group, Les Architectes CVZ, BK Archiect, DS Architect International of South Africa and France. The project is aimed to be completed by October 2007.
Al-Abrar Tower – Makkah
Owner: Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company
Budget: Estimated $66 million
Scope of work: The project calls for the design and construction of a 28-storey mixed-used tower with total built-up area of 70 000 sq m in Makkah.
Status: Design work has been completed and the tender documents for the main construction contract have been submitted. However, plans to build the tower have been put on hold. Saudi Diyar Consultants is acting as consultant whilst Turner Construction International is the project manager. Contractors have submitted bids for the structural work nd vertical transportation packages.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi University Expansion – Phase 2
Owner: Abu Dhabi University
Budget: Estimated $40 million
Scope of work: Phase 2 will involve the construction of three low-rise buildings forming part of the Abu Dhabi University expansion scheme. Each building will consist of a ground floor and three storeys and will provide accommodation for staff and students. The package will also include the construction of six villas for senior staff of the university.
Status: The client has appointed Al Meraikki General Contracting as the main contractor on the phase 2 development. Arkonsult Engineering Consultants is the design consultant on the project. Construction is expected to commence at the end of May.
New Mixed-Use Complex
Owner: Al Wahda Sports Club
Budget: Estimated $70 million
Scope of work: The project will involve the construction of three high-rise buildings that will be situated in Abu Dhabi. The first building will house a four-star hotel with furnished apartments while the second and third building will provide office and residential facilities respectively. Each of the three buildings will consist of 30 storeys and will include the associated leisure and entertainment facilities.
Status: An award of the construction contract is expected by the end of this month (May). Khatib and Alami are acting as the consultant on the project and EC Harris is the project manager.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed City Project - New Residential Complex – Sector 2
Owner: First Gulf Bank – Link Investments
Budget: Estimated $168 million
Scope of work: Sector 2 of the project will involve the construction of 16 low-rise buildings, each consisting of 12 storeys that will provide residential units and will form part of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed City development scheme. The sector will also involve the construction of a mosque.
Status: The client has issued a letter of intent to Seidco General Contracting Company for the main construction package. The proposed Sector 3 development has been incorporated into Sector 2. Bainoona Consulting Engineering and Al Bayaty Architects is acting as the design consultant while Morganti Group is acting as the project manager.
Abu Dhabi International Airport Expansion – Phase 1 – Interim Passenger Terminal (Etihad Airways)
Owner: Supervision Committee for the Expansion of the Abu Dhabi International Airport (Scadia)
Budget: Estimated $50 million
Scope of work: The package will involve the construction of a new interim passenger terminal that will have a built-up area of approximately 55,000 sq m. The development will also include six to nine contact gates, passenger and baggage handling areas, office and maintenance areas, supply and installation of passenger loading bridges as well as fixed bridges and will involve MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) and civil infrastructure works. The new terminal will be connected to the existing main terminal structure and will cater for Etihad Airways planes and passengers.
Status: The tender closing date for the main construction package, which was initially April 22, has been extended to May 6. It is understood that all seven pre-qualified groups attended the site visit on March 7.
DUBAI
Al Wasl City Development
Owner: Eye of Dubai Investments Company (EDIC)
Budget: Estimated $327 million
Scope of work: The project will involve the construction of eight high-rise tower buildings that will each comprise 32 storeys. One of the buildings will provide 500 hotel rooms while another will offer 500 serviced apartments. Two buildings will comprise office facilities while the remaining four buildings will exclusively provide residential apartments. The complex will be constructed on a 600,000 sq ft plot, situated in the Al Wasl area in Dubai and will offer a built-up area of approximately 3.8 million sq ft. The development will also include the associated leisure, entertainment and car parking facilities.
Status: Tenders for the main construction package are expected to be issued by end of this month (May). Eye of Dubai Investments Company (EDIC) is handling the consultancy role internally.
Emirates Road Widening and Improvement Project
Owner: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority
Budget: Estimated $62 million
Scope of work: The project will involve the expansion of the Emirates Road between Sharjah and the Arabian Ranches Roundabout in Dubai. It will include the widening of the road from three to five lanes in each direction as well as improvement work to other approach roads. The total scheme will cover a length of 35 km.
Status: The main construction package will be re-tendered as only one company (Dutco Balfour Beatty) submitted a bid for the initial tender which opened in February. Bids for the re-tender are due on May 7. De Leuw Cather International is acting as the consultant on the project.
Park Square Development – Park Lane Tower
Owner: KM Properties
Budget: Estimated $66 million
Scope of work: The project will involve the construction of a 60-storey high-rise tower that will form part of the Park Square development situated on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The building will comprise offices, each varying in size from 447 to 828 sq ft. It will be located close to the Dubai World Trade Centre and will provide direct access to the proposed Dubai Light Rail Transport (LRT) system.
Status: The entire Park Square development scheme has been cancelled. On February 1, the project was put on hold due to land issues with the authorities which ended up in the cancellation of the entire project.
Sheikh Zayed Road Expansion and Upgrade – Interchange 1 Reconstruction.
Owner: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority
Budget: Estimated $65 million
Scope of work: The project will involve the reconstruction of interchange 1 at the Defence Roundabout, providing access to the Burj Dubai and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) development. It will involve the construction of a three-level interchange with associated work. It will also include the double decking of Doha Road covering the stretch between the Al-Khail Road and Interchange 1.
Status: A tender has been issued for the main construction package with bids due on May 9. It is anticipated that experienced companies like Wade Adams Contracting and Dutco Balfour Beatty will participate in the bidding process. De Leuw Cather International is acting as the consultant on the project.
Al Ittihad Mall Project – Al Muhaifma (Mirdiff)
Owner: Union Co-operative Society
Budget: Estimated $37 million
Scope of work: The project will involve the construction of a new mall that will be situated in the Al Muhaifma district, close to Mirdiff in Dubai. The two-storey mall will have a built-up area of approximately 400,000 sq ft. The ground floor will provide food courts, shopping outlets and a hypermarket while the first floor will offer a department store and restaurants.
Status: National Engineering Bureau is acting as the consultant on the project. Tenders documents will be issued in early May and a contract award is expect towards the end of July.
Executive Heights Tower – Tecom
Owner: Damac Holdings
Budget: Estimated $36 million
Scope of work: The project will involve the construction of a 25-storey tower within the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone (Tecom). The building will comprise commercial and leisure facilities and will offer a built-up area of approximately 300,000 sq ft.
Status: A tender for the main construction package was issued on April 1 with bids due to be submitted by mid-May. An award for the package is expected approximately two months after the bid submission date. Engineering Consultants Group (ECG) is acting as the consultant on the project.
Dubai-Fujairah Freeway Project – Package 1
Owner: UAE Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH)
Budget: Estimated $61 million
Scope of work: The first package will involve the construction of 23 km of highway that will include bridges, underpasses, tunnels and access slip roads between the 45 to 68-km stretch of the new highway scheme. It will also include a new tunnel in the Dhaid area cutting through the Hajar mountains.
Status: The project is being re-tendered with new bids for the main construction package due to be submitted by May 22. The package is understood to have been tendered twice in the past (2003 and 2005) with Al Muhairy General Contracting Company submitting the lowest bid in the 2005 tender. Al Turath Engineering Consultants-Wilbur Smith and Associates are acting as the consultant on the project.
Madinat Badr Redevelopment – Main Construction Package
Owner: Al-Deyaar Development Company (formerly Global Real Estate Development Company)
Budget: Estimated $272 million
Scope of work: The project involves the demolition of the current Madinat Badr residential district and the construction of new residential villas and buildings varying in height from one to three storeys. The development will also include shopping malls, mosques and other leisure facilities. Situated on Emirates Road in Dubai, next to the Dubailand scheme, the residential units will accommodate 20 000 people.
Status: National Engineering Bureau (NEB) is acting as the consultant on the project. The development has been put on-hold for the time being due to design issues. The original award date was planned end of May 2006.
