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The service began on 12 September. (Image source: Abu Dhabi Mobility)

Energy

The Integrated Transport Centre of Abu Dhabi has officially launched its green bus service, starting on 12 September.

This new fleet is powered by clean hydrogen and electric energy, marking a significant advancement in the Green Bus Programme, spearheaded by Abu Dhabi Mobility.

The programme aims to transform Abu Dhabi Island into a public transport green zone by 2030. As part of this initiative, a pioneering study was conducted—the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi and the wider region—to evaluate the feasibility and performance of hydrogen and electric buses under local climate and urban conditions.

Given the scarcity of research in the region, the study involved in-depth technical assessments of various bus models in collaboration with international manufacturers, government entities, and global agencies.

The new green bus service will operate on Route 65, connecting Marina Mall with Shams Boutik on Al Reem Island.

Green Bus Programme: a comprehensive action plan

Abu Dhabi's Green Bus Programme is a wide-ranging strategy focused on assessing and managing the emirate's public transport bus fleet. Its aim is to evaluate the most appropriate hydrogen and electric-powered technologies and offer these sustainable transport options to residents, visitors, and commuters. This will be achieved through partnerships with international government bodies and bus manufacturers, ensuring solutions are well-suited to the local environment. The programme also includes enhancing Emirati skills through specialised training programmes and practical learning experiences in South Korea and China.

Launched in November 2023, the assessment phase of the Green Bus Programme will conclude in June 2025. During this period, bus operators and drivers will undergo both theoretical and practical training, facilitated by Abu Dhabi Mobility’s partners. Certified technicians will also receive ongoing training to ensure they are prepared to handle daily maintenance and inspections of the green buses.

As the public bus system transitions from diesel to renewable energy, it is expected to cut annual carbon dioxide emissions in Abu Dhabi by over 100,000 metric tonnes.

The MENA region is increasingly facing severe challenges in the water sector. Issues such as water scarcity and high energy costs are creating a growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective treatment solutions for water reuse. Brentwood, with its proven expertise in drinking water and wastewater treatment technologies, sedimentation technology, sludge collection and removal systems, and biofilm processes, is at the forefront of addressing these challenges.

Brentwood are excited to invite you for its final session in or three-part webinar series on water technology, specifically focused on the MENA region. This session aims to provide technical insights into sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective water management solutions tailored for the unique challenges of the region.

Brentwood's featured speaker, Dr. Noama Shareef, will share her extensive knowledge and present various technical solutions for addressing water and wastewater treatment challenges in the MENA region. Dr. Shareef's expertise in the field ensures that attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest advancements and practical applications in water treatment technologies. Following her presentation, there will be an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with Dr. Shareef and get their specific questions answered. The entire webinar will be conducted in Arabic, making it accessible to many attendees in the region.

We encourage you to register now to secure your spot for this informative session. The webinar will focus on the application of lamella settlers as a solution for improving sedimentation processes in water and wastewater treatment plants.

These advanced technologies are essential for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of sedimentation processes, which are critical components of water and wastewater treatment systems.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, 23 October 2024, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM GMT+1. This is an excellent opportunity to stay informed about the latest developments in water technology and to learn from a leading expert in the field.

Additionally, if you missed the previous sessions in our webinar series, you can watch them on-demand at your convenience. We have made the recordings available to ensure that you have access to all the valuable content and insights shared during the series.

Register now for the final session of our MENA water technology webinar series: https://hubs.ly/Q02HsRdD0. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your knowledge and stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of water treatment technology.

Watch past webinars on-demand here: https://hubs.ly/Q02HsRm-0.

Akinwumi Adesina attending the event in Riyadh. (Image source: AfDB)

Construction

Speaking at the Saudi Fund for Development’s 50th anniversary celebration, Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has praised Saudi Arabia for its support, dedication and friendliness to Africa

The president said the fund translated the pulse of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into development support in Africa. “Its work covers 407 projects in 41 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with support of over US$5.3bn,” he noted.

As outlined by AfDB, projects the country has financed range from irrigation to produce food, dams for energy, hospitals for mothers and their babies, electricity to light up schools and enhance learning, airports and roads to link countries, counties and communities. These efforts have been part of an attempt to develop a deeper friendship and engagement between Saudi Arabia and Africa.

Adesina remarked that the Saudi Fund for Development stands out in the development financing landscape due to its “unlimited territorial scope” and its focus on “countries need”.

“That means: Open heart. Open hands. Open purse. Its success is rooted in its values, reflected by its acronym, SDF, which I call: Supportive. Dedicated. Friendly. That’s why countries appreciate the SDF,” he continued. “The African Development Bank is your friend and strategic partner in Africa… I wish the Saudi Fund for Development another 50 exciting years ahead, as we partner together to support Africa with renewed dedication to accelerate Africa’s development.

Amal AlMizyen, Chief Executive Operation Officer and Conor Hegarty, General Manager

Mining

MDS, a global leader in manufacturing heavy-duty rock trommels and conveyors, has announced the appointment of Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery as its inaugural distributor in the Middle East.

With immediate effect, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery will oversee the sales, service, and support of the MDS range of materials processing equipment throughout Saudi Arabia.

Headquartered in Jeddah, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery is a well-established supplier of heavy machinery, commercial vehicles, material handling solutions, and crushing and screening equipment.

Their broad portfolio includes the sale and maintenance of internationally recognised brands, such as Komatsu construction and mining machinery. Already representing Powerscreen and Terex MPS, this new partnership with MDS marks the third Terex brand to join their extensive product lineup.

The appointment of Abdul Latif Jameel as distributor for Saudi Arabia is part of the ongoing global expansion of MDS, reinforcing its commitment to delivering innovative and reliable products to customers worldwide while providing localised support and knowledge. 
 
Amal AlMizyen, chief executive operation officer, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery, said, “We are very excited to bring MDS into our product portfolio and firmly believe that their products will provide better solutions to our customers. With the introduction of MDS, we will be able to produce larger aggregates for Armour Rocks, Gabion Stones and Gabbro. The timing is ideal as Saudi Arabia is currently handling massive construction mega projects and MDS units will be able to produce these larger aggregates at much higher rates compared to the current conventional methods.”
 
Raheel Qamar, business development manager, MDS commented, "We are very excited to welcome Abdul Latif Jameel to the MDS network. Entering the Middle East market is a major moment for us, and we believe that Abdul Latif Jameel will help us reach and serve customers in Saudi Arabia. Their dedication to excellence, high customer focus and deep local knowledge of our industry makes them an invaluable addition to our global network. I look forward to working closely with the team to build and develop MDS across the Kingdom."

Alba’s CEO Ali Al Baqali was a featured speaker at the CEO Panel. (Image source: Alba)

Manufacturing

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba)’s CEO, Ali Al Baqali, was a featured speaker at the CEO Panel titled Industry Insights from Aluminium Primary Producers during the Fastmarkets International Aluminium Conference 2024, held from 10-12 September in Athens, Greece.

Joining senior executives from Hongqiao Group and Century Aluminium, Al Baqali addressed key issues facing the aluminium industry, including the rising costs of smelters, the increasing demand for value-added products, the implications of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), carbon emissions reduction, and supply chain sustainability.

He also discussed the broader challenges and future outlook for the industry.

Al Baqali further highlighted market trends in the Middle East and North Africa, introduced Alba’s EternAlTM low-carbon aluminium product line, and spoke on Bahrain’s government initiatives toward achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060.

During his time in Athens, Al Baqali also visited Elval, one of Alba’s clients, to explore their production processes, sustainability efforts, and discuss potential market dynamics and future collaboration opportunities.

His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, the President of GACA, at the first-ever air taxi trial in Mecca - Saudi Arabia, in June 2024. (Image source: GACA)

Logistics

During his keynote address at the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Symposium hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), urged global cooperation to usher in a new era of aviation. He called on nations to unite in supporting the accelerated and safe deployment of AAM, aligning with the symposium’s Call to Action.

Saudi Arabia was chosen to deliver the opening keynote to aviation leaders from over 75 countries at the event in Montreal, ICAO's headquarters. As Chair of the Arab Civil Aviation Organisation (ACAO), Al-Duailej emphasised the need for regulators to work together to seamlessly integrate AAM into the global aviation system.

“This gathering is not just another milestone; it is a beacon lighting the path toward a new era in aviation. Saudi Arabia is dedicated to building a future where Advanced Air Mobility is a cornerstone of global connectivity and economic growth. Let us rise to the challenge, let us redefine the future of aviation, and let us do it together. Only through such cooperation can we fully unlock the potential of this sector.”

He also highlighted the immense global opportunity that AAM presents and its crucial role in promoting a sustainable future.

Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming a leader in AAM development, having released an AAM roadmap earlier this year and conducted air taxi trials in NEOM and Makkah during the Hajj pilgrimage.

At the symposium, ICAO recognised Saudi Arabia’s potential in AAM by awarding KAUST students the top prize in the ICAO Global AAM Academic Paper Competition. This recognition reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to cutting-edge research and complements its investments in eVTOL aircraft, aligning with its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

Additionally, GACA held bilateral meetings with various aviation authorities and organisations, including the ICAO President, KAUST, and Embry-Riddle’s President P. Barry Butler, to strengthen international partnerships.

On the sidelines of the event, which ran from 8-12 September, a high-level Saudi delegation visited BETA Technologies’ facility in Vermont, USA, where they explored the latest advancements in AAM manufacturing and exchanged expertise in sustainable aviation.

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