FAMCO supports MAR with Volvo machines, boosting marine and civil construction across Middle East and Africa. (Image source: Volvo CE)

With a robust fleet of Volvo machines provided and supported by Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO), MAR Marine & Building Contracting is taking on technically demanding marine and civil construction projects across the Middle East and Africa, delivering efficiency and minimising downtime

Founded in 2018, MAR Marine & Building Contracting has rapidly established itself as a regional leader in marine and civil infrastructure. Headquartered in both the UAE and Lebanon, with projects spanning multiple countries, MAR has completed more than 200 contracts for over 340 clients, an impressive feat for a relatively new player.

Central to MAR’s success is its focus on quality, timely project delivery and customer satisfaction. The company operates across a wide scope: marine works, steel structures, civil construction, dredging, and sea pipeline installations, serving both public and private clients. Each project poses its own set of challenges, especially in harsh coastal settings where machinery must be both durable and reliable.

Engineering excellence in tough marine conditions

Marine and coastal construction is one of the most complex sectors in the industry, requiring resilience against environmental variables such as saltwater corrosion, fluctuating tides and tight regulatory requirements. To meet these challenges, MAR has invested in more than 40 crawler excavators and articulated haulers from Volvo Construction Equipment.

The Volvo machines have become vital assets in operations such as breakwater construction and sand backfilling. Their corrosion-resistant materials, sealed electrical systems and protected hydraulic components are well suited to marine environments. According to MAR, Volvo’s reputation for robust engineering and performance has been instrumental in their ability to deliver on time.

Partnership rooted in trust

FAMCO, Volvo CE’s long-standing dealer in the UAE, supplies and services MAR’s fleet. This relationship is underpinned by shared values of reliability and service excellence.

“Today we take a moment to thank our trusted partner FAMCO for all their support,” said Marwan Nakhoul, project site engineer at MAR. “In our work, success depends on strong partnerships. FAMCO, together with Volvo Construction Equipment, has always been one of our most trusted partners.”

Nakhoul also pointed to how Volvo’s equipment delivers measurable benefits: “Thanks to the high quality of their machines, we’ve had less downtime and finished our work faster and more efficiently. Our partnership with FAMCO is a big reason for our success.”

Supporting growth across borders

As the demand for marine infrastructure grows across the Middle East and Africa, companies like MAR are playing a key role in driving economic development and coastal resilience. With FAMCO and Volvo CE as dependable partners, MAR is well equipped to expand its footprint, one marine project at a time.

The HX 70e uses a 400-volt lithium-ion battery from Kreisel, offering a capacity of 63 kWh. (Image source: HAMM)

At Bauma 2025, compaction expert Hamm spotlighted the latest addition to its range of pivot-steered tandem rollers: the fully electric HX 70e VV-S, equipped with two vibration drums.

Designed to support the construction industry’s shift towards lower emissions, the machine is aimed at making roadbuilding more sustainable.

A second version, the HX 70e VO-S, was also on display.

This variant features an oscillation drum instead of a second vibration drum. As part of an ongoing technology rollout, both models are initially being trialled on urban construction sites across Europe.

Electrification without compromise

The HX 70e uses a 400-volt lithium-ion battery from Kreisel, offering a capacity of 63 kWh.

This proven component enables efficient and powerful operation, while the electric drive system ensures low noise and reduced emissions.

Charging is handled via a standard Type 2 connector, with additional options such as Type 1, J1772, and CCS to follow.

With fast charging, the battery can go from 20% to 80% in under an hour, ideal for high-paced jobsites.

Despite its electric powertrain, the HX 70e matches its diesel-powered counterparts in performance.

Compaction power remains the same, and peak output is even higher.

The oscillation version, in particular, benefits from an ultra-quiet profile, combining the low noise of oscillation with that of an electric drive, making it ideal for work near hospitals, heritage buildings, or in vibration-sensitive zones.

Familiar operation, lower costs

Operators will find the electric models nearly identical to diesel versions in terms of control and handling. The main difference lies in the updated display interface, which features new symbols to guide the user intuitively.

Maintenance requirements are also reduced thanks to the simplified design of the high-voltage electrical system, which eliminates many of the service needs typical of diesel engines.

This translates into lower operating costs and improved uptime.

Customers can continue to rely on the Wirtgen Group’s established service network, and the new machines are compatible with the John Deere Operations Center for remote monitoring and fleet management, just like their diesel equivalents.

Also read: Wirtgen Group launches zero-emission construction system

The Line 2 extension will span 8.4 km. (Image source: Bechtel)

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has awarded a major contract worth up to US$900mn to the ArRiyadh New Mobility Consortium for the construction of the Line 2 extension of the Riyadh Metro project, according to a report by MEED.

The consortium includes several international heavyweights such as Italy’s Webuild, India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Saudi-based Nesma & Partners, Japan’s Hitachi, Italy’s Ansaldo STS, Canada’s Bombardier, Spain’s Idom, and Australia’s WorleyParsons.

The Line 2 extension will span 8.4 km. This includes a 1.3 km elevated and a 7.1 km underground extension.

It will also feature five stations, two elevated and three underground. The line will run from the current King Saud University (KSU) terminus to KSU Medical City, KSU West, Diriyah East, Diriyah Central (interchanging with the planned Line 7), and ending at Diriyah South.

Last year, the BACS Consortium had delivered the first phase of the Riyadh Metro. This consortium also included global engineering, construction, and project management company Bechtel. 

Project awards

Project management and construction supervision will be handled by Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants (RMTC), a joint venture of US-based Parsons and French engineering firms Egis and Systra. RMTC also provided project oversight for Lines 1, 2, and 3 during the first phase of the metro’s development.

Once complete, the Riyadh Metro will become the world’s longest driverless metro system, spanning 176 km with 85 stations and seven depots. The six-line network includes the Blue, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Purple lines.

The phased rollout of the network has progressed steadily. The Orange Line began operations in January this year, following the Red and Green lines which launched in December 2024. The Red Line (Line 2) runs 25.1 km from east to west along King Abdullah Road, connecting King Fahd Sports City with King Saud University and includes 15 stations.

The Green Line (Line 5) stretches 13.3 km, connecting King Abdullah Road with the National Museum, and serves key ministries such as Defence, Finance, and Commerce. In the same month, operations also began on the Blue (Line 1), Yellow (Line 4), and Purple (Line 6) lines.

Also read: Giza Station foundation work underway

Cat's heavy-duty 980 GC Wheel loader (Image source: Caterpillar)

Caterpillar has unveiled its new heavy-duty Cat 980 GC wheel loader

Easy to own and simple to operate, the new wheel loader provides an economical solution for a broad range of applications, said Frank Stadelmann, global product application specialist at Caterpillar.

“We’ve built the new 980 GC on a long legacy of high performance and highly reliable wheel loaders with proven components and integrated Cat machine systems,” he said.

“The loader’s simple user interface, intuitive controls and excellent visibility make for comfortable and efficient operation, even with less experienced operators.”

The 980 GC wheel loader offers low fuel consumption with an on-demand fan, load-sensing hydraulics, intuitive controls and Performance Series buckets.

“New features to this model, like our Engine Idle Management System (EIMS), minimise idle RPM and fuel consumption to help deliver low owning and operating costs,” said Stadelmann.

Adding to the full line of medium wheel loader choices, the new 980 GC is powered by the Cat C13 engine. The engine’s Cat Clean Emissions Module works in the background without impacting production.

Other features

The EIMS, Auto Engine Idle Shutdown, variable speed fan and load sensing hydraulics all combine to offer low fuel consumption and sound levels on the machine.

Its field-proven automatic planetary powershift transmission also delivers high reliability and long service life. Four forward/reverse speeds reach a maximum 39.8 km/h (24.7 mph) speed to quickly move about the site, and the well-known Electronic Clutch Pressure Control (ECPC) shifting system provides smooth, efficient gear changes in all operating conditions.

Available ride control improves operating smoothness over rough terrain while ensuring excellent material retention and increasing efficiency, and the optional limited slip differential axle increases traction in poor underfoot conditions.

The new loader also features convenient service points, one-piece tilting hood with swing-out radiator, and sight gauges for quick and efficient daily maintenance. Hard-to-reach pins have remote, conveniently grouped grease fittings for easy preventative lubrication. An optional Cat Autolube System boasts simple, one-button control and includes fault flash function to alert the operator to issues.

The new 980 GC is built on a legacy of high performance and highly reliable wheel loaders with machine components designed and manufactured to high quality standards. Caterpillar first entered the wheel loader market back in 1959.

The latest machine is also backed by the Cat dealer network to help maximise uptime by providing global parts support and trained technicians.

Also read: Caterpillar's new ECS portfolio for enhanced power control