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Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
New Progress Report From World's Biggest Construction Project
Further progress has been announced at Saudi Arabia's vast Neom project with the completion of an underground tunnel to connect a ski resort in the desert at the world's largest construction site. Newsweek has reached out to the company for comment. The company's announcement signals continued progress at Saudi Arabia's Neom, despite reports of repeated budget overruns, delays, and a recent full review of project goals ordered by its new leadership. The outdoor ski resort-set in one of the world's hottest desert countries and due to rely largely on artificial snow-embodies the scale and ambition of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's megaproject, which is designed to help prepare the kingdom for a future beyond oil. Trojena has completed excavation of its B3 Tunnel, with a final blast breaking through the last section of rock to connect the 680-meter (2,200 feet) tunnel linking the Lake Access Road to the Vault, the company announced on LinkedIn. The Lake Access Road leads to the artificial lake at the center of the luxury tourist resort. Overlooking the site is the Vault, an architectural feature designed as a folded vertical village built into the mountainside. Perched on Saudi Arabia's Jebel al Lawz at over 8,500 feet, Trojena spans nearly 870 square miles, and features 18 miles of ski slopes, a dozen hotels, retail outlets and restaurants, and a massive man-made lake holding up to 15 billion gallons of water, according to Neom. Neom has recently appointed a new CEO in a push to fast-track flagship developments. Critics of the megaproject say that its sustainability claims amount to greenwashing-promoting an eco-friendly image while engaging in practices that harm the environment and violate human rights. Tomasso Ciancio, Construction Director at Webuild company, posted on Linkedin: "At Trojena, where every stone moved and every meter advanced reflects months of planning and sacrifice, I'm reminded daily why we push forward. Leadership in a place like this isn't just about progress-it's about resilience, belief, and the will to finish what we started. To everyone in this journey with me: thank you for waking up every day ready to build the impossible." Human Rights Watch in December 2024 report: "A worker who was employed as a supervisor in a NEOM project said, 'My job is to set targets for workers. Tasks must be completed within a fixed timeline, which puts undue pressure on workers.'" Saudi Arabia is racing to complete the ski resort ahead of the Asian Winter Games of 2029 which it is planning to host. Related Articles Will Saudi Arabia's Alcohol Ban be Lifted? Reports Prompt Flare-UpNew Boss Named for World's Biggest Construction ProjectSatellite Images Show Desert Ski Resort at World's Biggest Construction SiteSatellite Images Show Palace Emerging at World's Biggest Construction Site 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Arabian Business
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
How Saudi Arabia can deliver major event infrastructure on time and on budget
The delivery of major event infrastructure is a complex and multifaceted endeavour. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks forward to hosting multiple international sports and cultural events over the next two decades, including the Asian Winter Games 2029, the World Expo 2030, and the FIFA World Cup 2034, the Kingdom must strategically plan for the delivery of its events infrastructure, looking to best practices and lessons learned to ensure commercial success and a lasting legacy. In a booming market, strategic procurement is key The Saudi market is not yet overheated, but certain resources are under significant pressure. This necessitates a strategic approach to procurement and project management to ensure timely and successful delivery. Owners must be open to selecting procurement methods with the highest chance of getting the asset delivered on the due date, including measurement contracts. The initial difficulty for major events projects is typically the development of a strategically sound programme to guarantee delivery on the due date, which is fixed and immovable. When building a stadium, it is crucial to balance the timing to avoid building too early or too late. While some of the assets for the FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia are already under construction, a separate challenge is ensuring that all related social infrastructure, including transport, hospitality, and retail assets, are on track to complete in a fully coordinated manner. Main contractors and subcontractors must manage risk proactively For contractors working on high-pressure event projects, it is critical to ensure that the design is as complete as possible before construction begins, thereby avoiding redesigns and significant variations in the scope of the project. In the Middle East, design issues are a well-known cause of delay-related disputes. Tackling the challenge of late design delivery requires careful risk planning at the contract stage. Contractors should negotiate for a fair allocation of risk, considering the inclusion of practical acceleration clauses that allow for the expedited completion of a project by increasing resources, extending work hours, or implementing other measures to speed up the construction process. These clauses are particularly beneficial in high-pressure event projects, such as those for major sports events or expos, where timely delivery is critical. Turning to subcontractors, major event projects are not unique in experiencing issues of delay, design variations, cost escalations, and other claims typical to all large-scale projects. However, the stakes are higher due to the criticality of on-time delivery. Subcontractor risks in major events projects should not be forgotten. Smaller subcontractors on these projects can have a huge responsibility to deliver, and the main contractor is always trying to push the risk downwards. Subcontractors often face significant risks such as bearing responsibility for the timely delivery of important long lead items. Providing subcontractors with sizable advance payments and free-issue materials can help mitigate these risks. Subcontractors can also be their own worst enemies and must also protect themselves from risk by keeping adequate records to support their claims and ensure timely resolution of disputes. Effective stakeholder management sets the scene for success Effective stakeholder management is the single most important factor in the successful delivery of major event infrastructure. Stakeholder management includes coordinating with banks, financiers, contractors, owners, operators, and users. Smooth delivery of these projects depends on how well major stakeholders are arranging themselves, especially since stakeholders' interests may diverge. Not every stakeholder has the same interest, and defining their roles and a dispute resolution process is critical to managing their interests. The mindset must change from 'what is in it for me' to 'what is in the best interests of the project?' and 'how can we have a constructive dialogue to achieve the end goal?' In Saudi Arabia, procurement laws provide for different methods of tender, with major projects often done on an unlimited tender basis due to the need for highly skilled entities. Joint ventures are common, with each member sharing in the capital risk, but the bargain between joint venture parties must be carefully articulated to avoid disappointment and disputes. Educating stakeholders about suitable design options, which are iconic yet practical, and ensuring a diverse supply chain are key to overcoming typical challenges on major events projects. Early dispute resolution mechanisms will nip conflicts in the bud A proactive approach to dispute resolution assists cash flow and allows parties to move forward with the project, rather than becoming bogged down in disputes, which risks a catastrophic late delivery. For major sports events like the FIFA World Cup, selecting appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve disputes as early as possible is critical. Arbitration is a popular dispute resolution method for high-value construction contracts, and the Kingdom has made significant progress to establish a well-functioning institution, the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration. There is also now scope under Saudi law for negotiation on a 'without prejudice' basis, encouraging parties to resolve disputes before they escalate into a formal and costly arbitration proceeding. The new commercial law recognises that what is said at such settlement meetings will not be held against a party. With the signing of the Singapore Convention, there is also an increasing appetite for mediation in the Kingdom. The best method of dispute resolution depends on various factors, including the nature and amount of the dispute and the stakeholders involved. Mediation is not always appropriate for every dispute, but it can be highly effective for the right dispute. Separately, there has always been a high level of interest in the use of dispute adjudication boards in the Middle East, where stakeholders generally accept that early dispute resolution is positive because it assists cash flow. Despite this, there is typically a practical obstacle to implementing dispute boards, even when they are required by the contract. For a major event like an expo or the World Cup, a key stakeholder such as the Public Investment Fund (PIF) could be the organiser, setting up dispute boards, appointing members, managing conflicts of interest, replacement members and other logistics. Mandating the use of dispute boards on all contracts related to a major event could be the most straightforward way to encourage their uptake. Strategic legacy planning ensures a profit-focused future The conclusion of a major event should not mark the end of the project. Its legacy is a critical consideration, so that the world-class infrastructure is put to good use. Proper legacy planning is not just in the intention, but the execution. In Qatar, there were fantastic plans to dismantle and repurpose the stadium venues, which was considered an environmentally sustainable concept. However, several years on, some of the stadia are still there because legacy plans were not fully thought through or capable of execution. The end user requirements must be considered when designing and planning the asset to ensure its long-term sustainability and financial viability. The end should be in mind right from the beginning, not least because there will be special considerations for an end user of major sports events. By way of example, FIFA is a critical stakeholder for the World Cup, and its specific design requirements should be considered as early as possible to ensure that the stadia is ultimately fit for purpose. Finally, once the international tourists return home, the focus of end-users for major sports arenas will be laser-focused on 'sweating the asset'. Designing a stadia that is capable of myriad multi-purposes, including sports and entertainment, is key, and is certainly more economical than trying to retro-fit the finished product. Delivering major event infrastructure in Saudi Arabia requires a strategic approach to procurement, effective stakeholder management, and robust dispute resolution mechanisms. With an innovative and ambitious spirit, the Kingdom will soon be ready to welcome the world.
Mid East Info
16-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
FSB Sports Show Riyadh capitalizes on Saudi Arabia's $2.7 billion sports infrastructure, fuelling growth for the Kingdom's leisure and sports industry
The event will host over 200 exhibitors from 25 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Poland, China, Spain, Germany and Qatar Companies such as Yardex, Coastal Qatar, Gebal Group will highlight integrated solutions in stadium development, safety and urban greenery In response to Saudi Arabia's unprecedented investment in sports infrastructure, dmg events and Koelnmesse have partnered to bring FSB Sports Show Riyadh – a satellite event of the leading trade fair FSB (Cologne, Germany) to the Kingdom. The inaugural edition of the event will take place from 16 – 18 June 2025 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC), welcoming industry professionals to explore key trends, discover innovations, exchange ideas with industry partners and find the right solutions for their current projects displayed by more than 200 exhibitors. Saudi Arabia is gearing up to host major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup 2034 and the Asian Winter Games in 2029. To support this, the Ministry of Sport, backed by the Saudi Royal Joint Ventures Foundation, has committed $2.7 billion towards building stadiums, leisure facilities and public spaces. This investment is part of the Kingdom's broader goal to become a leading international sports hub. In line with these ambitions, FSB Sports Show Riyadh will launch as the Kingdom's largest trade fair focused on the development of the sports and leisure sector and shaping the future of public spaces and urban living environments. Advancing Saudi Arabia's sports and leisure sectors With Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is transforming its sports and leisure industries to align with its broader economic diversification goals. FSB Sports Show Riyadh highlights global innovations, supporting strategic partnerships, with a focus on sports infrastructure, leisure facilities and public spaces. As the Kingdom bids for major championships, the event will showcase advancements in stadium construction, accessibility, urban planning and sports technologies. 'Saudi Arabia's sports sector is on an exciting journey, with a market value projected to grow from $8 billion today to $22.4 billion by 2030 (Source: SURJ Sports Investment ). Major sports infrastructure projects and a surge in public and private sector investment power this growth,' said Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events. 'Our collaboration with Koelnmesse to launch FSB Sports Show Riyadh brings global expertise to this vibrant market, supporting the Kingdom's 2030 ambitions and creating a launchpad for innovation and partnerships within the country's booming sports industry.' The event is expected to attract strong interest from key players in the market. Some of the top exhibitors, including Yardex, Greenfields, Coastal Qatar, Gebal Group, City Playgrounds, among others, will highlight integrated solutions in stadium development, safety, urban greenery and more, offering public and private stakeholders a direct avenue to scale their contributions to the sector. Over 200 exhibitors from more than 25 countries, including Poland, China, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the UAE among others will showcase products from planning to asset delivery. 'Koelnmesse is honoured to partner with dmg events to bring FSB Sports Show Riyadh, aligning with the Kingdom's long-term vision for urban living and public wellbeing. Our research shows that Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goes far beyond major events like the FIFA World Cup 2034, it's about sustainable investment in grassroots, school and public sports infrastructure to foster health and inspire the next generation,' said Denis Steker, Senior Vice President International , Koelnmesse. CPD-certified learning tailored for impact Supporting the ongoing development of Saudi Arabia's sports infrastructure ecosystem, FSB Sports Show Riyadh will host CPD-certified content programmes and Saudi Sports & Leisure Summit , designed to educate, inspire and elevate industry professionals across the sports and leisure landscape. Attendees can expect curated sessions led by regional and international experts, including economists, investment strategists and more, exploring pressing topics such as sustainable design in sports facilities, inclusive urban planning, emerging technologies and policy frameworks shaping the future of sports infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. With a strong focus on real-world applications and future-ready strategies, these sessions are structured to support the Kingdom's vision of becoming a global leader in sports and wellness infrastructure. FSB Sports Show Riyadh will be co-located with International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Satellite Images Show Desert Ski Resort Emerge at World's Biggest Construction Site
New satellite imagery reveals advancing work at a mountain ski resort in Saudi Arabia as part of the ambitious Neom project, the world's biggest construction site. Newsweek has reached out to Neom's team for comment on the latest development shown by photos from Planet Labs and provided exclusively to Newsweek. The outdoor ski resort in a desert country known for being one of the hottest in the world symbolises the ambition of the megaproject of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman at Neom. Most of the snow will be artificial. The images show the advances on the site in the absence of official updates and with some critics questioning how far work is progressing and questioning whether it has been affected by setbacks. Trojena, on the mountain of Jebel al Lawz in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, rises to more than 8,500 feet above sea level, according to the project's description on Neom's website. The project—envisioned as the world's first "vertical ski village"—extends over an area of nearly 870 square miles and is set to include about 18 miles of ski slopes, in addition to a dozen hotels and tens of thousands of shops and restaurants. It also includes a giant man-made lake that would take up to 15 billion gallons of water, according to Trojena's Instagram account. Philip Gullett, Trojena's Executive Director at Neom, called the project's progress "a military operation," citing the challenge of building infrastructure in remote mountains, speaking this week at the Saudi Giga Projects Summit, according to Zawya platform. Neom, the flagship element of Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman's strategy to diversify its economy away from oil dependence, has been accused of having an unrealistic scope and ambitious timeline, with other concerns pertaining to the project's effects on climate change and the kingdom's human rights abuse allegations. "You're changing a natural ecosystem which can have compounding impacts," said climate consultant Ahmed el-Droubi, currently the global campaigns manager at Climate Action Network International, according to Euro News in 2022. Saudi Arabia's advances were hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump during a visit to the country this week which culminated in a $600 billion investment deal. Philip Gullett, Executive Director and Region Head of Trojena, quoted on Neom's website: "From up there you can look over to the Gulf of Aqaba too. And over to Egypt as well as the whole NEOM region." Richard Scott, Senior Development Manager at Trojena: "Most of the snow in Trojena will be machine-made snow." The ski resort is due to be completed for the Asian Winter Games in 2029 to be hosted in Saudi Arabia. Related Articles NASA Images Reveal Texan Conditions Not Seen Since 1936Satellite Images Show Progress on Egypt's Vast New CapitalSatellite Image Shows Iran Reinforcing Nuclear ComplexSatellite Images May Show North Korea's Biggest Warship Ever 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Kuwait Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Olympic Council of Asia holds 45th General Assembly in Kuwait
Olympic Council of Asia holds 45th General Assembly in Kuwait OCA awards the Order of Merit to IOC President Dr Bach in recognition of his outstanding contributions KUWAIT: The General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) held its 45th meeting on Monday, in Kuwait, with the participation of the heads of National Olympic Committees from 45 Asian countries, including Kuwait, which was represented by the President of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, Sheikh Fahad Nasser Al-Sabah. The meeting, chaired by the Kuwaiti Director of the Council, Hussain Al-Musallam, began with a speech from the newly elected President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe, who emphasized the importance of sport as a powerful force for communication and unity among athletes. She highlighted that it gives them the opportunity to express themselves and actively participate in their communities, expressing her pride in being present at this major continental event. Coventry, who will officially assume her position in June, stated that Asia played an important role in Olympic sports, as evidenced by its outstanding success in hosting the Olympic Games the Pyeong Chang 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. She added that Asian countries are distinguished by their professional organization of Olympic sporting events, whether at the international or continental level, and praised the excellent organization by the OCA and the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee both the impressive opening ceremony on Sunday evening and today's meeting. The assembly then listened to reports from the Vice Presidents of the Olympic Council of Asia for each region, Timothy Fok from Hong Kong representing East Asia, Dr Norza Zakaria from Malaysia for Southeast Asia, Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck from the Kingdom of Bhutan for South Asia, Otabek Umarov from Uzbekistan for Central Asia, and Dr Thani Al-Kuwari from Qatar for West Asia. KUWAIT: IOC President Dr Thomas Bach (centre) being awarded the Order of Merit with Sheikh Fahad Nasser Al-Sabah (left) and First Vice President of the OCA Timothy Fok. Folkloric performances representing the heritage of China, India, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Lebanon and Kuwait highlighting the diverse Asian heritage. – KUNA photos The assembly also reviewed reports from Witold Banka, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and from the organizing committees of the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Summer Games and the Harbin 2025 Asian Winter Games in China. The meeting also included presentations from the organizing committees of upcoming games, providing updates on their latest preparations. These events include the Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025, the Asian Games Nagoya, Japan 2026, the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Riyadh 2026, and the Asian Winter Games NEOM 2029. The meeting concluded with the annual reports from the working committees of the Council, presented by the heads of the permanent committees. Earlier, a statement by the Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi expressed pride and honor in the representation of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in his attendance of this opening ceremony of this major continental Olympic sports gathering, wishing them success in developing Asian sports in various games. On his part, President of the International Olympic Committee Dr Thomas Bach emphasized the importance of the Asian continent not just in its size but also in its presence in the sports world, saying 'with a long history and distinguished presence in all its fields, to its tremendous influence on global sports.' The German also praised the 'outstanding work' undertaken by the OCA in aiding the IOC in organizing and actively partaking in the Olympic Games, as embodied by the Tokyo 2020 summer games and Beijing 2022 Winter Games. The First Vice President of the OCA Timothy Fok mentioned that holding the meeting in the Council's home country of Kuwait is an exceptional event that is highly appreciated, while also extending his gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah along with the Kuwaiti government for their support of the Asian Olympic Movement. The Olympic Council of Asia announced that it had awarded the Order of Merit to IOC President Dr Bach in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Olympic movement during his presidency, which has spanned more than 12 years, alongside congratulating the IOC President-elect Christy Coventry on winning. In his speech at the ceremony, Kuwait Olympic Committee Chairman Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah affirmed that the meeting represents a valuable opportunity to exchange views and unify efforts to advance the world of sports in Asia especially as it brings together a select group of influential sports leaders of relevance. He also mentioned that the Kuwait Olympic Committee is committed to supporting the goals of the Olympic Council of Asia and the work alongside national committees to achieve the aspirations of young athletes, wishing all guests in Kuwait a pleasant stay amongst such a gathering. Chinese basketball star Yao Ming highlighted the profound impact professional sports have had on his education and culture, as it has become a way of life, growth, learning, and communication, to also considered the environment provided by the meeting in Kuwait a great support for athletes. The ceremony which was attended by officials from the IOC, the council, and heads of Asian sports featured folkloric performances representing the heritage of China, India, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Lebanon and Kuwait highlighting the diverse Asian heritage, while also a video was also shown of the most important sporting championships held on the continent since 1913. — KUNA
