In The Spotlight
Dubai Peninsula construction advances in Jumeirah
Work is progressing steadily on Dubai Peninsula, a high-end coastal project being developed by H&H, with key contractors now appointed and early-stage construction activities underway.
Located along the shoreline at the edge of Dubai Canal, the scheme is positioned as an exclusive waterfront destination combining residential, hospitality and leisure offerings. Developers say the project is on track, with foundational works marking the transition from planning to execution.
A major component of the masterplan is a central park spanning approximately one million square feet, designed to serve as the focal point of the development. Beneath this green space, an integrated infrastructure corridor is being constructed to house parking, service roads and logistics areas, supporting the wider functionality of the site.
Construction firm DBB Contracting LLC has been appointed to deliver the core infrastructure package, with civil works currently in progress. Overall progress on the infrastructure phase has reached around 20%, according to project updates.
The development will feature a network of interconnected spaces, including a loop stretching nearly two kilometres, designed to link residential areas, retail outlets, hospitality venues and public amenities. The layout prioritises accessibility and walkability, aligning with broader urban planning trends across Dubai.
Once completed, Dubai Peninsula is expected to offer a mix of high-end residences, boutique retail, dining venues and leisure facilities. Plans include a waterfront promenade, marina and beach areas, alongside landscaped public spaces and cultural features such as pavilions and a dedicated prayer area.
The project will also incorporate lifestyle-focused elements, including hospitality offerings from international brands, a beach club and curated dining experiences. Marine infrastructure is set to include berths for superyachts and a floating marina venue, aimed at enhancing the destination’s appeal to both residents and visitors.
H&H chief executive Miltos Bosinis said construction is progressing in line with expectations, with preparatory and groundwork phases well advanced. He added that the developer remains focused on delivering the project to a high standard as it moves further into the build phase.
Chairman Shahab Lutfi described the scheme as a carefully planned destination intended to redefine waterfront living in Dubai, combining design, connectivity and lifestyle experiences.
With construction momentum building, Dubai Peninsula is emerging as one of the city’s notable upcoming coastal developments, reflecting continued demand for premium waterfront real estate in the emirate.
Pyroguard expands fire safety glass manufacturing
Fire-resistant glazing specialist Pyroguard has strengthened its regional scope through a new manufacturing partnership with South Glass, aimed at meeting rising demand for fire safety solutions across India and the Middle East.
The collaboration amounts to a major step in Pyroguard’s expansion strategy, establishing a dedicated production base in Hyderabad.
The company said that this move could improve supply chain efficiency, reduce delivery times, and enhance technical support for clients operating in fast-growing construction markets.
Industry demand for fire-rated glazing has increased in recent years, driven by rapid urban development and stricter building safety regulations. Pyroguard said its local manufacturing capability will allow it to respond more effectively to these requirements while continuing to comply with Indian standards and its own international performance benchmarks.
The new facility will produce a range of fire-resistant glass products for use in doors, partitions, façades and curtain walling systems. By manufacturing locally, the company works more closely with architects, developers and contractors to supply customised solutions suited to regional specifications and project needs.
According to the company, the expansion also supports improved safety outcomes by assuring consistent access to certified fire protection materials. Fire-rated glazing plays a key role in containing flames and smoke, helping to protect building occupants and support evacuation in emergencies.
Pyroguard has supplied the Indian market for more than a decade from its European operations, aiding projects such as Vivanta by Taj Dwarka and commercial developments in Noida and Hyderabad. The new plant is expected to build on this track record by providing locally produced materials that meet the same quality and accreditation standards as its UK and French facilities.
Among the products to be manufactured are Pyroguard Protect and Pyroguard Firesafe E120, both designed to deliver high levels of fire resistance. The company confirmed that its 13 mm glazing solutions have undergone extensive testing to meet Indian standards, achieving classifications that demonstrate their ability to limit heat transfer and maintain soundness during fire incidents.
Steve Goodburn, Business Development Director at Pyroguard, said, “India’s rapidly growing infrastructure and commercial real estate sectors, combined with tighter fire safety regulations, are driving strong demand for high-quality fire-rated glazing. Our local manufacturing presence enables closer collaboration with customers, reduced lead-times and improved support for architects working to local specifications across India and the Middle East.
“Pyroguard has a well-established sales presence in India and a dedicated team based here. Local manufacturing strengthens our commitment to the market and ensures architects, developers and contractors benefit from our quality, speed and service.”
Empower boosts recycled water use in cooling operations
Empower has reinforced its focus on sustainable water management, marking World Water Day with renewed commitments to resource efficiency across its district cooling operations.
The utility provider highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on freshwater by increasing the use of alternative sources, including treated sewage effluent (TSE) and advanced desalination processes. These initiatives form part of a broader strategy to support environmental stewardship while maintaining operational reliability in one of the world’s most water-stressed regions.
Empower reported a notable expansion in its reverse osmosis capacity, which reached 24,969 cubic metres per day in 2025, up from 21,359 cubic metres per day a year earlier. The company also recorded a rise in recycled water utilisation, which grew to 9.22% from 8.3% over the same period. The increase reflects a steady, target-driven approach, with progress aligned to the availability of recycled water supplies.
District cooling systems, widely used across the UAE to improve energy efficiency, require substantial volumes of water for their operation. By integrating TSE and reverse osmosis technologies, Empower aims to optimise consumption while lowering the environmental footprint of its services. The company said these measures are designed to enhance both water and energy efficiency, while contributing to reduced carbon emissions.
Chief executive Ahmad Bin Shafar stated that water conservation remains central to the company’s long-term strategy. He noted that the adoption of treated water and desalination technologies enables Empower to limit its dependence on potable water, while aligning with national priorities around sustainable resource management.
The company’s initiatives are also closely linked to the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which aims to ensure sustainable access to water resources while reducing overall demand. Empower said its operational model is built around supporting these national objectives through innovation and responsible practices.
Beyond operational metrics, the company emphasised the broader role of water in driving economic and social development. It reiterated its commitment to promoting awareness around responsible consumption and advancing a circular water economy, where treated and recycled water play a greater role in meeting industrial and infrastructure needs.
As the UAE continues to prioritise sustainability, initiatives such as these are expected to play a key role in safeguarding natural resources while supporting continued urban and industrial growth.
Saudi transport authority eases marine licensing rules
Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority (TGA) has introduced a temporary relaxation of documentation requirements for vessels operating within its territorial waters, granting operators additional flexibility amid evolving conditions in the region.
Under the directive, the authority has suspended the requirement for certain certificates and documents needed to issue or renew navigation licences and work permits for marine units. The measure will remain in place for 30 days and may be extended if necessary, provided that safety standards and environmental protections are not compromised.
The decision applies to both domestic and international vessels currently operating in Saudi Arabia’s waters in the Arabian Gulf. It is designed to ensure continuity across maritime operations while minimising disruptions that could affect logistics, offshore projects, and other marine-based activities.
According to the TGA, the move reflects a broader effort to maintain operational efficiency and support the steady flow of maritime traffic. Authorities noted that some vessels may be unable to leave Saudi waters to complete routine inspections or fulfil technical compliance requirements due to prevailing operational challenges. The temporary exemption is intended to address these constraints without undermining regulatory oversight.
The suspension covers a range of vessels engaged in maritime operations and projects within the Kingdom’s jurisdiction. By easing administrative obligations, the authority aims to reduce bottlenecks and enable operators to maintain schedules, particularly in sectors where delays could have wider economic implications.
Despite the regulatory flexibility, the TGA emphasised that safety remains a top priority. Vessel operators are still expected to adhere to all essential safety protocols and environmental standards throughout the exemption period. The authority reiterated that the measure does not absolve operators from their responsibility to ensure seaworthiness and compliance with applicable maritime regulations.
Industry observers note that such interventions can play a critical role in stabilising maritime supply chains during periods of uncertainty, particularly in strategically significant waterways like the Arabian Gulf. By balancing regulatory requirements with operational realities, Saudi Arabia is seeking to safeguard both economic activity and maritime safety.
The TGA added that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and assess whether further extensions or additional measures are required to support the sector.
Middle East data centres face uncertainties amid rising tensions
Recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East have brought data centres under scrutiny, as a number of facilities were targeted in strikes over the past few days.
Analysts at DC Byte have assessed how the sector may be affected in the coming weeks and months, emphasising that immediate impacts are expected to remain limited.
The region remains a strategically important digital infrastructure market. Gulf states including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar continue to attract significant investment from cloud providers and hyperscalers, driven by demand for low latency, local data storage and digital transformation initiatives.
Most large-scale data centres in the Middle East are built with resilience in mind. Hyperscale facilities are designed with redundant power, cooling and network systems, controlled perimeters and environmental protections.
Workloads are often distributed across multiple availability zones and regions, allowing operations to continue even if one facility experiences disruption. Analysts note that such resilience has minimised service interruptions in recent weeks.
Nevertheless, the conflict has highlighted the need for ongoing risk assessment. Operators may increasingly consider proximity to potential strategic targets, military infrastructure and airspace coverage when planning new sites.
Emphasis on distributed infrastructure design, cross-country failover and hybrid cloud architectures is expected to grow, though major shifts in resilience strategy are unlikely.
Connectivity remains a key consideration. Network routing constraints can temporarily increase latency during high-traffic periods, prompting stakeholders to prioritise diversified cable routes and network redundancy alongside facility robustness.
Cybersecurity is another focus area, with modern conflicts often incorporating cyberattacks. Operators may now accelerate integration between cyber defence, physical security and operational monitoring to minimise potential disruption.
Supply chains are facing short-to-medium term challenges, with shipping delays and higher costs, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. Scott Roots, Sales Director EMEA at DC Byte, warns that resource scarcity and alternative routing may affect project timelines and costs.
Despite these pressures, the GCC data centre market remains confident. The region currently has around 2.4GW of qualified capacity, with over 2GW in early stages, and investors have not paused development.
DC Byte CEO Bernard Johnson concludes that the sector’s exposure is largely to operational and planning risks, rather than a fundamental vulnerability, with affected sites representing only 1–2% of the regional market.
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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Project Qatar
Venue:
Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre
Dates:
29 May - 01 June 2023
Website:
