Author: Stephen White

The UAE will ban heavy vehicles weighing over 65 tonnes from driving on its roads, effective from the beginning of next year, 2024. In a significant move aimed at preserving the country’s advanced infrastructure and bolstering road safety the announcement comes as part of a federal law regulating vehicle weights approved by the UAE Cabinet. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, expressed the rationale behind this pivotal decision. He emphasized that the primary objective of the ban is to protect and maintain the UAE’s state-of-the-art road infrastructure…

Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies, a leading industrial player dedicated to decarbonising the construction sector through clinker-free cements, has announced a significant milestone in its global expansion efforts. The company has inked a  22-year exclusive licensing agreement with the Shurfah Group, a prominent Saudi conglomerate, to establish multiple Hoffmann Green cement production units in Saudi Arabia. This strategic collaboration aims to advance the decarbonization of the construction sector within the region. The 22-year licensing agreement provides the Shurfah Group with exclusive rights to leverage Hoffmann Green’s pioneering clinker-free cement technologies and replicate a first-of-its-kind plant based on the H2 vertical model.…

Cutting-edge construction equipment manufacturer, Bobcat, has unveiled its newest addition, the B730 M-Series Backhoe Loader, tailored specifically for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) regions. This robust machine combines high performance, user-friendly operation, and unmatched comfort while maintaining Bobcat’s reputation for durability through its proven, high-quality components, says the manufacturer. The B730 M-Series is produced at the modern Doosan Bobcat manufacturing facility in Chennai, India. It joins the  Bobcat backhoe loader family as a model designed for the value market. This versatile machine is available in multiple configurations and is compatible with a range…

Middle East Crane Equipment Trading (MECET), the authorised dealer for the United Arab Emirates, celebrated the key handover of the first unit of the Hitachi ZW370-5A. Wim Aernouts, the managing director of MECET, accepted the delivery, marking a significant milestone in the region’s construction and heavy machinery industry. The Hitachi ZW370-5A, boasting a bucket ISO heaped capacity of 5.0m³ with a 1.9 V-shape rock bucket (BOT, PIN TYPE), is suitable for construction and earthmoving projects across the UAE. With an engine power of 300 kW (402 HP) and an operating weight ranging from 31,750 to 32,570 kg, this machine promises…

As offshore wind turbines continue to increase in size, the foundations supporting them are also growing, posing challenges for transport and storage. Mammoet has introduced a new jacking and cradle system aimed at mitigating these challenges, ultimately helping customers cut costs. These colossal cylindrical steel foundations, known as monopiles, play a crucial role in connecting wind turbines to the seabed. With weights exceeding 3,000 tonnes and lengths surpassing 120 meters, their dimensions are steadily expanding. As wind turbine developers construct taller structures, the diameter and length of their foundations are also on the rise, surpassing the capabilities of existing handling…

The first thing that strikes you when you visit the Galadari Trucks and Heavy Equipment website is a set of numbers that race onto the screen. One of the most famous distributors and recognisable names in the region, you’re told that it represents more than 15 brands and can boast 100% customer satisfaction – and it’s been delivering its market-leading service for over 40 years. Despite its outstanding longevity, Mahmoud Hamarshah, general manager, Galadari Trucks and Heavy Equipment (GTHE) tells CMME that the winner of the 2023 CMME Distributor of the Year award is not ready to rest on its…

The jack-up vessel Voltaire is said to be in position to install the first offshore wind turbine at the Dogger Bank Wind Farm. The move signals the start of construction of the sustainable power project, which is expected to feature a total of 277 turbines on completion. The Voltaire is billed as the largest vessel of its kind in the world, with a lifting capacity of 3,200t. It has been commissioned to operate on all phases of Dogger Bank, installing GE Renewable Energy’s 13MW Haliade-X turbines approximately 128km from the UK’s Yorkshire coast, a report noted. Once complete in 2026,…

Yanmar Compact Equipment EMEA (Yanmar) is using the upcoming Matexpo 2023 in the Netherlands, to showcase its range of conventional tail and zero tail excavators, and wheeled units – including a prototype of the all-new and fuV7 compact wheel loader.  The V7 wheel loader is expected to be formally launched after September 2023 and features a new articulation/oscillation joint that keeps the machine’s total height under 2.5m. According to the worksite specialist it is perfect for easy transportation and is some half a tonne lighter than the next largest machines in the Yanmar range. Yanmar’s zero tail swing excavators at…

Dutch geo-data specialist Fugro says it has completed the Middle East’s first remotely operated subsea inspection using a low-carbon emission uncrewed surface vessel (USV). The site survey and inspection of an offshore gas platform in UAE waters was executed entirely from an onshore remote operations centre (ROC) using Fugro’s Blue Essence technology without sending personnel offshore, added the firm in a statement. Having commissioned the region’s first-ever government-licensed USV in early 2023, Fugro has successfully completed its first USV operation for a client in the Middle East. The Fugro Pegasus USV (part of the Blue Essence fleet) was mobilised for…

Red Sea Global (RSG) has awarded the design contract for the Rosewood Hotels and Resort at Triple Bay to Saudi-based Salco. Per the terms of the deal, Salco, a specialist in external works, site development, infrastructure, utilities, landscape, and irrigation, will be responsible for softscape works. The Saudi group will transform the outdoor areas of the property, in line with the design concept which aims to implement a spectacular landscape for guests to enjoy, the firm explained in its statement. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Red Sea Global on this monumental project. Our partnership signifies a shared commitment to…