In The Spotlight
New applications are made possible by the coordinated components from Siemens and the power distribution platforms from Rittal. (Image source: Rittal)
Siemens, Rittal partner on AI data centre power
Siemens and Rittal have announced a strategic partnership to develop advanced power distribution solutions for data centres, targeting the growing demands of AI infrastructure.
The collaboration focuses on delivering standardised, scalable systems for the IEC market that can support faster deployment of high-performance data centres while improving efficiency and sustainability. The move comes as AI-driven workloads continue to push power density requirements to new levels, with current racks exceeding 100 kW and projections suggesting this could rise beyond 1 MW by the end of the decade.
To address these challenges, Siemens’ Smart Infrastructure division will work with Rittal, part of the Friedhelm Loh Group, to design integrated solutions that combine power distribution, cooling and heat management.
A key development under the partnership is a new “sidecar” power concept, which places dedicated power racks directly within the data centre’s operational space. This approach allows server racks to be supplied with power more efficiently through a modular and standardised setup. The solution is designed to simplify deployment, improve system reliability and support the rapid scaling of AI computing environments.
Better energy optimisation
The companies said the system aligns with Open Compute Project standards and integrates proven technologies to enable high availability and optimised energy performance. This is expected to be critical as operators seek to maximise computing output while managing energy consumption.
Executives from both companies highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing the infrastructure challenges posed by AI. They noted that the increasing complexity of data centres requires more integrated and flexible solutions to ensure reliable and continuous operations.
Beyond the initial solution, Siemens and Rittal are also working on standardised low-voltage distribution systems for modular and containerised data centres. Additional efforts include enhancing operational and personnel safety through improved system design and monitoring capabilities.
Early customer projects using the jointly developed technologies are already underway, signalling strong market demand for next-generation data centre infrastructure.
The partnership will draw on Siemens’ expertise in electrical systems and Rittal’s capabilities in enclosure and platform technologies, including its RiLineX and Ri4Power systems. By combining their respective strengths, the companies aim to accelerate innovation in digital infrastructure and support the expansion of AI-driven services.
Looking ahead, both firms indicated that the collaboration could extend beyond data centres into other industrial applications, as demand for efficient, high-capacity power systems continues to grow.
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Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Ports Authority “Mawani”, Saleh bin Nasser Al‑Jasser. (Image source: Mawani)
Saudi launches logistics corridors to boost Red Sea ports
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Ports Authority “Mawani”, Saleh bin Nasser Al‑Jasser, inaugurated a new logistics corridors initiative aimed at strengthening cargo flows between ports in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region.
The initiative, unveiled during a visit to Jeddah Islamic Port, is designed to create dedicated operational routes for containers and freight redirected from ports in the Kingdom’s eastern region and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The project will support the movement of cargo towards Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports, improving supply chain efficiency and strengthening connectivity between regional trade routes and international shipping networks.
The launch event was attended by Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi and Suliman bin Khalid Al‑Mazroua, alongside officials from government entities and the logistics sector.
According to Al-Jasser, the initiative forms part of the Kingdom’s broader strategy to reinforce its position as a global logistics hub and ensure the stability of supply chains during periods of disruption.
He noted that Saudi Arabia’s transport and logistics ecosystem continues to benefit from strong support from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Mohammed bin Salman.
Strengthening Saudi and GCC logistics
Al-Jasser said ports on the Red Sea coast play an increasingly important role in accommodating cargo redirected from eastern ports and neighbouring Gulf countries. By expanding the operational capacity of western ports, Saudi Arabia aims to maintain the smooth movement of goods and support both regional and international trade.
He also highlighted the resilience of the Kingdom’s transport infrastructure, noting that alternative logistics corridors can be activated quickly when required to maintain trade flows.
During the event, Abanmi explained that the initiative will also strengthen integration between customs and logistics procedures across GCC ports. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority is working with other agencies to accelerate cargo clearance processes and facilitate cross-border trade.
Saudi Arabia’s customs network already supports transit services that allow goods to move through the Kingdom via land, sea and air routes to other GCC countries. The system is complemented by bonded warehouse zones where goods can be stored with suspended duties and taxes before being cleared or re-exported.
Al-Mazroua said the corridors initiative reflects close cooperation between government bodies and private sector partners to maintain supply chain continuity and improve cargo flows.
During the visit, Al-Jasser also chaired a meeting at the port’s command and control centre to review vessel traffic and cargo handling operations. He later toured container terminals, logistics parks and re-export facilities at the port.
Jeddah Islamic Port is the largest hub port on the Red Sea and one of the region’s key logistics centres. Ports along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast collectively handle more than 18.6 million TEUs annually, reinforcing the country’s role in global trade networks.
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Cummins highlights multi-fuel strategy at CONEXPO
At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, Cummins outlined its strategy for supporting the construction sector through the global energy transition, emphasising a multi-path approach that combines advanced diesel technology with lower- and zero-emissions solutions.
Speaking during the company’s press conference, Jennifer Rumsey, chair and CEO of Cummins, said the company is responding to changing energy demands by balancing innovation with practical solutions that meet the immediate needs of off-highway customers.
“We are responding with confidence and from a position of strength – because we built our strategy for moments exactly like this,” Rumsey said. She added that Cummins is continuing to deliver solutions while adapting to evolving technologies, regulations and market requirements.
Central to the company’s strategy is Destination Zero, an initiative aimed at helping customers navigate decarbonisation while maintaining productivity and reliability in demanding environments. Rumsey noted that the approach prioritises strengthening core power solutions while expanding alternative fuel and zero-emissions technologies where markets are ready.
According to Cummins, significant progress has already been made in reducing emissions from off-highway equipment. Since the mid-2000s, particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions from the company’s engines have been reduced by approximately 90%. At the same time, fuel efficiency in heavy equipment engines has improved by between 12% and 14%, helping customers reduce operating costs.
The company also highlighted its long-term environmental goals, including efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions generated by products in use. Cummins aims to reduce 55 million metric tonnes of emissions between 2014 and 2030 through improved efficiency and technology development, delivering significant fuel savings for equipment operators.
During the event, Marina Savelli, vice president of the global off-highway engine business, presented the company’s latest engine portfolio for construction and industrial applications. She described the range as one of the broadest in the sector, spanning engines from 2.8 litres to 95 litres that power equipment used on infrastructure projects worldwide.
Among the technologies on display was the Next Gen X15 engine platform, which is designed to support multiple fuel types using the same base architecture. The platform allows original equipment manufacturers to adapt machines to different fuels over time without major redesigns.
Cummins also showcased its B6.7 engine, first introduced in 2005 and now the highest-volume engine in the company’s portfolio, with more than five million units sold globally and hundreds of thousands deployed in off-highway equipment.
Beyond engines, the company presented drivetrain components, mobile generator sets and integrated digital services aimed at improving equipment uptime and reducing total operating costs. Cummins’ connected solutions platform enables remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance and over-the-air updates to help operators maintain productivity across equipment lifecycles.
Savelli said innovation at Cummins is guided by customer needs, with technologies designed to integrate easily into equipment platforms while supporting evolving emissions standards.
“As conditions change and the industry evolves, customers need a partner that can deliver reliable performance today while preparing for the future,” she said.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 draws 140,000 construction professionals
More than 140,000 industry professionals from 128 countries attended CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the global construction sector gathered to explore new technologies, equipment and business opportunities.
Held from 3–7 March, the event brought together contractors, manufacturers and technology providers to showcase innovations aimed at improving efficiency, safety and sustainability across construction operations.
Spanning more than three million square feet, the exhibition featured over 2,000 exhibitors presenting machinery, digital tools and services across the industry. Equipment ranging from heavy earthmoving machines and cranes to advanced paving systems was displayed alongside emerging technologies such as automation, connected jobsite solutions and low-emission machinery.
According to show organisers, the event provided contractors with an opportunity to evaluate equipment in person and connect directly with manufacturers when making purchasing decisions.
Dana Wuesthoff, show director for CONEXPO-CON/AGG, said the exhibition remains a key platform for unveiling technologies shaping the future of construction. She noted that the innovations presented at the event demonstrate the industry’s ability to adapt and improve jobsite productivity and safety.
Companies used the event to introduce a range of new machines and digital solutions. Komatsu highlighted developments in intelligent machine control technology, including its PC220LCi-12 excavator, designed to help operators excavate with greater precision using integrated sensors and 3D design data. The company also introduced the HM460-6 articulated truck, the largest model in its range.
Meanwhile, LiuGong presented several machines focused on electrification and efficiency, including the 870 HE loader and the 924 FE electric excavator.
Technology providers also showcased digital solutions aimed at improving operational visibility and productivity. Topcon Positioning Systems demonstrated its 3D-MC Edge feature, designed to enhance machine control accuracy, while Samsara presented systems that enable contractors to monitor equipment utilisation and fleet performance.
In addition, Doka displayed advanced formwork and digital jobsite technologies aimed at improving efficiency on large infrastructure and building projects.
Innovation at the event was also recognised through the Next Level Awards programme. Attendees selected Husco’s GenSteer technology as the Contractors’ Choice winner for best equipment, while the Gravis Rack developed by Gravis Robotics was voted best technology.
Beyond the exhibition floor, the event hosted more than 150 education sessions, workshops and panel discussions covering topics such as artificial intelligence, workforce development, infrastructure investment and sustainability.
Special programmes also focused on industry challenges including workforce recruitment and professional development. Workshops for women in construction, small business operators and maintenance professionals were introduced to encourage peer learning and collaboration.
Organisers confirmed that the next edition of CONEXPO-CON/AGG will take place from 13–17 March 2029.
Experts urge faster investment to scale SAF
Aviation will not decarbonise at the pace required unless Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) projects can reach final investment decision (FID) far more rapidly, industry leaders warned during a recent Sustainable Aviation Futures webinar, hosted in partnership with technology company Johnson Matthey.
The session brought together voices from across the value chain: technology provider Johnson Matthey, airline group IAG, energy major Repsol, lender Santander, and insurer AXA.
The webinar host noted that while around 50 SAF plants are operational globally and roughly 40 more have secured financing, over 150 projects remain stuck in planning, with at least 50 abandoned or paused in recent years. “SAF is essential to decarbonise aviation, but getting projects from paper to FID is by no means guaranteed,” she said.
Defining FID readiness
For Paul Ticehurst of Johnson Matthey, being “FID ready” means a project is “fully defined” with clear capital and operating costs, timelines, production volumes, revenues and, crucially, a deep understanding of its risk portfolio. That includes off‑taker risk, feedstock risk, policy risk, construction risk, operational risk and technology risk. Early engagement with all stakeholders – investors, EPC contractors, insurers and off‑takers – is, he argued, essential to build confidence.
Sponsor strength, technology choice and regulation
From a developer’s perspective, Alfonso García of Repsol stressed that overall project risk hinges on three pillars: the sponsor’s financial strength and operating track record, the maturity and flexibility of the chosen technology, and the regulatory environment. In Europe, he described the policy framework as both “more material” and “more complex”, driven by multiple overlapping mandates. He underlined the importance of policy‑agnostic designs and product flexibility, allowing plants to switch output – for example, between SAF and renewable diesel – when market conditions shift.
Finance and insurance: putting risks on the right balance sheet
Urbano Pérez of Santander highlighted that most SAF plants to date have *not* been project‑financed, and that moving to true non‑recourse finance dramatically raises the bar for risk assessment. Lenders, he said, are “buying into the predictability of cash flows”, which in turn depends on robust off‑take agreements, secure and affordable feedstock, proven technology performance and disciplined construction.
Katie Lennon of AXA described SAF as a “relatively immature” industry that is unusually open about risk. She urged developers to bring insurers in “at the pre‑conception stage” so that technical risk consultants can help engineer out problems before construction. Insurance, she added, can absorb technology performance, credit, political and even weather risks – so long as the “right risk sits on the right balance sheet”.
Airlines’ long‑term role
Representing demand, Jonathan Counsell of IAG said SAF is “absolutely critical” to the group’s net‑zero plans, with up to 70% of its fuel potentially coming from SAF by 2050. IAG has already signed 10‑ to 14‑year off‑take agreements with power‑to‑liquid producers, but only after extensive due diligence on technology, pricing and policy exposure. Counsell backed SAF mandates in the EU and UK, but warned that sub‑targets – particularly for emerging e‑fuel technologies – must be realistic to avoid large‑scale buy‑outs that would signal “policy failure”.
Across the panel, one message was consistent: only early, coordinated engagement between developers, airlines, financiers, insurers, technology providers and policymakers will unlock the scale of investment needed to take SAF from niche to norm.
Alba, Qatalum halt aluminium production
Aluminium producers in the Gulf are facing mounting supply challenges after shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and a production shutdown at a major regional smelter.
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has declared force majeure on some contracts after maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz slowed significantly, according to Reuters.
The disruption follows escalating tensions in the Middle East after Iranian strikes in response to attacks by the United States and Israel affected vessels operating near the key shipping corridor between Iran and Oman.
A spokesperson for Alba said the company’s smelter operations remain unaffected, but exports have been halted because shipments cannot currently pass through the Strait.
“We are producing, but the metal is here in Alba because we are not able to ship,” the spokesperson told Reuters, adding that the declaration of force majeure is not related to any operational issues at the facility.
“Our force majeure is not due to any disruption or damage to the smelter facility,” the spokesperson said, noting that the company is working to identify alternative shipping solutions to reduce the impact on deliveries.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, carrying around one-fifth of global oil consumption and serving as a key export route for Gulf aluminium producers.
Industry estimates suggest that more than five million tonnes of aluminium are shipped through the passage each year by smelters in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
At the same time, production has been disrupted at Qatalum, a joint venture involving Norsk Hydro. The company has begun a controlled shutdown of its aluminium production after a shortage of natural gas in Qatar linked to the regional conflict.
The shutdown process started on 3 March and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. The decision followed a notification from QatarEnergy that gas supplies to the smelter would be suspended.
Qatalum said the controlled shutdown aims to reduce health, environmental and safety risks associated with halting production while preparing the plant for a possible restart.
However, a full restart could take between six and 12 months, and it remains unclear when the facility might resume operations if the shutdown continues.
Hydro said it is assessing options to mitigate the impact and exploring alternative ways to meet contractual obligations. The company has also issued a force majeure notice to Qatalum customers following the production halt.
Siemens unveils advanced circuit protection and circular soft starter
Siemens Smart Infrastructure has expanded its portfolio of industrial control and protection technologies with new developments aimed at improving electrical safety, operational reliability and sustainability in industrial environments.
The company has enhanced the capabilities of its semiconductor-based circuit protection technology while also introducing a refurbished soft starter developed under circular economy principles. The announcements reflect a broader push by Siemens to combine advanced electrical engineering with environmentally responsible manufacturing.
Central to the update is the continued development of the SENTRON Electronic Circuit Protection Device (ECPD), which was first launched in 2024. The device uses semiconductor technology to perform electronic switching far faster than traditional protection systems, helping to reduce short-circuit energy and safeguard connected equipment.
The ECPD can deliver switching speeds up to 1,000 times faster than conventional solutions. It also integrates more than ten configurable functions into a single unit, allowing operators to significantly reduce the space required within distribution boards while enabling software-based configuration.
Siemens plans to expand the product range with a single-phase version that will include integrated residual current monitoring. This function enables continuous supervision of electrical circuits to detect faults at an early stage without disrupting operations. Such monitoring is particularly relevant for facilities that require high levels of reliability, including data centres, exhibition venues and lighting installations, where uninterrupted power supply is essential.
A three-phase version of the ECPD is also under development to address higher-voltage systems operating at 400V and 32A. This model is expected to support a wider range of infrastructure and industrial applications, including conveyor systems, elevators, heat pumps, air conditioning installations and event power distribution networks.
According to Andreas Matthé, the company’s use of semiconductor technology is reshaping industry expectations for circuit protection by delivering faster response times, compact designs and improved system uptime.
Alongside the circuit protection developments, Siemens has also introduced its first refurbished soft starter designed according to circular economy principles. The SIRIUS 3RW5 -Z R11 refurbished soft starter is created through a controlled refurbishment process in which used devices are thoroughly tested, key components replaced and performance validated to meet the same standards as new equipment.
This remanufacturing process typically reduces carbon emissions by as much as 50% compared with producing a new device, primarily due to lower resource consumption. Environmental Product Declarations document the environmental benefits and ensure transparency.
The refurbished soft starter retains full compatibility with new units in terms of installation, parameterisation and functionality, enabling straightforward integration into existing systems. The product also incorporates traceability features such as a QR-based ID Link, allowing lifecycle monitoring across both its initial and refurbished service phases.
Siemens is showcasing the technology at the Light + Building 2026 in Frankfurt, where the company is highlighting how digitalisation and circular design can work together to support more sustainable industrial operations.
Middle East Energy Dubai
Venue:
Dubai World Trade Centre
Dubai, UAE
Dates:
7-9 April 2026
Website:
07 Apr 26 - 09 Apr 26
Venue:
Dubai World Trade Centre
Dubai, UAE
Dates:
7-9 April 2026
Website: