Construction

Volvo Construction Equipment has commenced serial production of its A30 Electric and A40 Electric articulated haulers, marking a significant step forward in the electrification of heavy construction machinery.

The move positions Volvo CE as the first manufacturer to bring battery-electric articulated haulers of this scale into full production, signalling a shift from pilot innovation to industrial deployment. The models, first unveiled at Bauma 2025, have already attracted strong interest from customers in quarrying and mining, sectors traditionally reliant on diesel-powered equipment.

With payload capacities of 29 and 39 tonnes respectively, the new machines are among the largest electric units in the company’s portfolio. Designed for high-demand applications, they can operate for up to six hours on a single charge, depending on site conditions and usage patterns.

Electrification in this segment is expected to deliver not only environmental benefits through reduced emissions, but also operational advantages. Electric drivetrains can contribute to quieter working environments, lower vibration levels and reduced exposure to exhaust emissions, supporting improved conditions for operators and site personnel.

Production is taking place at Volvo CE’s facility in Braås, a site with historical significance as the origin of the world’s first articulated hauler, known as “Gravel Charlie”, introduced in 1966. The transition to electric production at the same location reflects both continuity in engineering expertise and a broader technological shift within the industry.

Initial deliveries are scheduled for customers in the United Kingdom and Norway, with wider distribution across Europe planned later in 2026.

Volvo CE stated that the milestone supports its long-term strategy to expand sustainable equipment offerings and meet increasing demand for low-emission solutions. As the construction and mining sectors face growing pressure to decarbonise, the introduction of large-scale electric haulers represents a practical step towards safer, cleaner and more efficient operations.

The development highlights how electrification is beginning to reshape even the most energy-intensive areas of heavy industry, as manufacturers and operators alike adapt to evolving environmental and operational requirements.

The global construction landscape is undergoing a profound shift. Escalating costs and operational uncertainty are placing increasing pressure on contractors, especially those operating under fixed-price or lump sum contracts.

Volatility in materials like steel and cement, combined with fluctuating energy prices, has driven project costs higher.

Supply chain disruptions and labour shortages have further impacted productivity and extended timelines, eroding margins and heightening commercial risk.

In this environment, proving cost escalation is no longer optional. Contractors must substantiate claims and contract adjustments with clear, verifiable data.

Yet many legacy systems operate in silos, failing to deliver a unified, accurate view of project performance.

Traditional estimation tools often become irrelevant after the bidding phase, while generic enterprise systems capture financials without reflecting real-time site conditions.

Fragmented platforms rely on disconnected data, limiting transparency and traceability.

The core challenge is integrating three critical elements: initial estimates, detailed project planning, and actual execution.

Without this linkage, cost increases remain hard to prove, weakening contractors’ positions in negotiations or disputes.

ProjectVIEW ERP from Danaos Corporation directly addresses these challenges.

By seamlessly integrating Bill of Quantities (BoQ), Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), and cost codes into one unified platform, it enables continuous, real-time tracking of actual versus planned costs throughout the entire project lifecycle.

This integrated visibility helps contractors identify cost deviations early, pinpoint root causes, and document financial impacts with precision. All this helps in strengthening their ability to support claims and manage contractual risks effectively.

While particularly powerful for construction, the same capabilities benefit other complex, resource-intensive sectors such as oil & gas, mining, and shipbuilding.

In today’s high-uncertainty markets, accurate project data has become a competitive advantage.

Forward-thinking contractors are moving away from assumptions toward evidence-based decision making, and ProjectVIEW ERP delivers the integrated platform to make it possible.

AESG has expanded its regional capabilities with the launch of a dedicated structural design and engineering division, aimed at supporting increasingly complex construction projects across the Middle East.

The new unit strengthens AESG’s integrated service model, enabling the company to deliver end-to-end engineering solutions from concept through to construction. By embedding structural expertise alongside sustainability and cost consultancy from the earliest project stages, the firm aims to improve budget certainty, reduce delivery risks and enhance long-term asset performance.

The move comes amid rising demand for more coordinated and commercially aligned engineering strategies, particularly in markets such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where large-scale developments are becoming more ambitious and technically demanding. Developers are increasingly seeking solutions that balance structural integrity with financial efficiency and environmental performance.

AESG said the new division will focus on integrating engineering decisions with broader project considerations, including procurement strategies, material availability, regulatory compliance and lifecycle costs. This approach allows structural systems to be assessed not only for technical strength, but also for their overall value and feasibility across the project lifecycle.

Leading initiatives 

Chief executive Saeed Al Abbar said the expansion reflects the company’s commitment to delivering multidisciplinary solutions that align engineering with commercial and sustainability objectives. He noted that early-stage integration of structural design is critical to achieving design-to-budget outcomes while supporting carbon reduction targets.

The division will provide services spanning feasibility studies, concept and detailed design, as well as construction-stage advisory. By aligning structural strategies with cost modelling and sustainability analysis, AESG aims to minimise redesign risks and ensure smoother project delivery.

Key focus areas include reducing embodied carbon through material efficiency, adopting alternative structural systems, and promoting modular construction techniques to accelerate timelines. The division will also address durability and resilience, particularly in response to the region’s demanding climatic conditions, while improving the adaptability of built assets over time.

To lead the initiative, AESG has appointed Matthew Cross as director of the new division. With more than 25 years of experience, Cross has previously held senior roles at AECOM and Arcadis, overseeing major projects across the region.

He highlighted the growing importance of aligning engineering with commercial realities, noting that developers are increasingly working to compressed timelines and tighter budgets. Early integration of structural design, he said, enables better decision-making and helps manage risks across the project lifecycle.

AESG has also strengthened its technical leadership with the appointment of Dr Gavin Lume as technical director. His experience includes contributions to landmark projects such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Frame.

With the new division in place, AESG aims to position itself as a fully integrated partner for developers, delivering projects that are commercially viable, environmentally sustainable and engineered for long-term performance.

Scaffolding expert Doka has taken a significant step in its sustainability journey by joining the United Nations Global Compact last year.

The move positions the company among thousands of organisations worldwide committed to responsible business practices that support the creation of a more sustainable and equitable world.

The UN Global Compact, launched in 2000, is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 25,000 companies across over 160 countries participating. It encourages businesses to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles covering human rights, labour standards, environmental stewardship and anti-corruption measures. Participants are also called upon to take action in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint for a more sustainable future.

“Reaching Net Zero by 2040 is a clear strategic goal for Doka. Joining the UN Global Compact is therefore a logical next step that reinforces this path,” said Robert Hauser, CEO of Doka. “Together with our commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative, it demonstrates that we are taking concrete action towards this ambition and embedding sustainability into every aspect of our business.”

By joining the initiative, Doka becomes part of a global network of companies dedicated to responsible business conduct. Participants commit to reporting transparently on their progress in implementing the Ten Principles and actively contributing to the advancement of human rights, labour standards, environmental responsibility and anti-corruption. Doka will join leading construction and engineering firms, including Skanska, Vinci, STRABAG and Bouygues Construction, in driving sustainable practices across the industry.

Doka’s membership in the UN Global Compact highlights the company’s broader commitment to sustainable growth and corporate responsibility. It demonstrates that sustainability is not only central to its operations but also integral to its long-term strategy, innovation and stakeholder engagement.

Doka participated at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas, exhibiting at booth P8411 from 3-7 March. The company showcased its latest formwork solutions and construction technologies, reflecting both innovation and its commitment to sustainable practices.