Tidal Bridge BV, a joint venture (JV) of Strukton International and private equity firm Dutch Expansion Capital (DEC), has started the feasibility study for the Palmerah Tidal Bridge project at Larantuka Strait in Indonesia.
US-based civil engineering and construction company Morrison-Knudsen (MK) has secured a $1.2bn contract for the construction of a new harbour in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided $109M in financing for the Muara Laboh geothermal power generation project in western Indonesia.
Telecommunications provider Vocus Group has announced the execution of a binding agreement with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), referred to as contract-in-force (CIF), for the construction of the Australia-Singapore Cable (ASC) system.
Several projects are now in execution around the world and WCN, as part of its roads week, has listed 13 worth knowing about.1) National Highway Development Program, IndiaThe $71bn National Highway Development Program was implemented in 1998 and aims at improving the road network in India.The project — being delivered in seven phases — includes the construction, rehabilitation, expansion and upgrade of nearly 56km of highway.The Golden Quadrilateral phase, completed in 2015, connects the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, through a 5,846km road. The scope of the project also includes the construction of around 50,000km of roads, under Phases I-VII, Port Connectivity, and the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE).Even though the development only accounts for 2% of the total length of roads in the country, it carries about 40% of the total traffic. The programme, owned by National Highways Authority of India and planned by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways of India, started in 2001 and is expected to be complete in 2021. 2) Central to Sukhumvit Bypass Upgrade, ThailandThe $26bn project involves the construction of an underground tunnel from Central Road to Soi Pornprapanimit in Chonburi, Thailand.The four-lane tunnel will be 1,900m long and 20m wide.The project also includes the construction of four subterranean lanes, road separators, footpaths, as well as the installation of air ventilators, signalling, security and lightening systems. Additionally, a U-turn on top of the tunnel — featuring an island with dolphin sculptures — is set to be constructed.The upgrade will reduce traffic congestion, as well as provide a freeway road to the region.Construction on the project, carried out by the Ministry of Transport of Thailand, commenced in February 2015 and is expected to be complete in 2018.3) Trans-Sumatra High Grade Highway, IndonesiaThe $25bn Trans-Sumatra High Grade Highway project is set to connect the Lampung and Aceh provinces in Sumatra Island.The project, also known as Trans Sumatra toll road, involves the construction of a 2,600km toll road to be developed in 24 sections.The scope of the work also includes the construction of pavements, supporting walls, toll stations, pedestrian walkways, as well as the installation of safety systems.The development — aiming at improving connectivity and economic development in the region — has suffered many setbacks. In 2012, the land acquisition process started, but faced long delays due to disputes along the route.Construction work commenced in 2014, and the first eight sections are expected to be complete by 2019. Construction companies selected for the highway include PT Adhi Karya (Persero), PT Wijaya Karya Beton, PT Hutama Karya (Persero) and PT Pembangunan Perumahan (Persero).4) Westconnex Motorway, AustraliaThe Westconnex Motorway will provide a link between Westerm Sydney, Sydney Airport and the Port Botany in New South Wales. The US$13bn project includes the construction of a 33km road — connecting the country’s M4 and M5 motorways — to be delivered in three stages. Stage I involves the construction of 13km of road, including the construction of the M4 east link between Homebush and Haberfield. Additionally, it includes the upgrade of the Concord Road interchange and the realignment of surface roads at City West Link and Parramatta Road.Stage II includes the widening of the existing M5 East to eight lanes from the Kings Georges Road interchange, and 9km of twin tunnels. Construction in this stage is expected to be complete by 2019.Stage III involves the construction of an 8.5km, three-lane road tunnel between Stage I at Haberfield and Stage II at St Peters. Construction work is expected to commence in late 2018 and be completed by 2023.Construction on the motorway has started in 2015 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.The project’s contractors include Samsung C&T Corporation, CPB Contractors Pty Limited, Fulton Hogan Australia Pty Ltd, John Holland Pty Ltd, Rizzani de Eccher S.p.A., CPB Contractors Pty Limited, Dragados S.A. and sub-contractor Samsung C&T Corporation.5) Lahore-Karachi Motorway, PakistanThe National Highway Authority of Pakistan is undertaking the construction of the Lahore-Karachi Motorway project with the aim of reducing journey times and congestion. The $7bn project includes the construction of a 1,152km dual six-lane motorway to be executed in four sections. The first section involves the construction of a 136km, six-lane motorway from Hyderabad to Karachi, while the second includes the construction of a 296km motorway from Hyderabad to Sukkur.The third stage includes the construction of a 387km motorway from Sukkur to Multan and the fourth section the construction of a 333km motorway from Multan to Lahore.Furthermore, bridges, underpasses, footpaths, cycleways and service roads are being constructed.Construction work commenced in 2015 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.The chosen contractors for the project include Frontier Works Organization, China Railway Zoth Bureau Group and Zahir Khan & Brothers. 6) Longchuan to Huaiji Highway, ChinaThe on-going Longchuan to Huaiji Highway project has been announced in 2013 and is expected to increase mobility and provide a smooth flow of traffic.For this effect, a 368km-long and 26m-wide highway is being constructed in Guangdong, China. The $6.6bn project also includes the construction of walkways, flyovers, a 26m-wide roadbed, and a toll plaza, along with the installation of signalling and lighting systems. Construction work — by Guangdong Hualu Transportation Technology Co Ltd — is expected to be complete in 2018.7) G75 Lanhai Expressway: Weiyuan-Wudu section, ChinaThe G75 Lanhai Expressway will connect the region of Weiyuan to Wudu in Gansu, China. The $5.8bn project involves the construction of a 244km highway, including bridges, tunnels, interchanges, walkways and tollbooths. It will also include the installation of signalling and lighting systems. The expressway is being delivered in 23 sections and construction work in section 4 and 6 is now underway. Construction work started this year and is expected to be complete in 2019.8) Tolo Highway/Fanling Highway widening, Hong KongThe Tolo Highway/Fanling Highway is set to provide a good transport link between Island House Interchange and Fanling in Hong Kong.To help to achieve that aim, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Highways Department is widening roads and constructing new bridges.The $5.6bn development also includes the construction of a carriageway, noise barriers, retaining walls, water-mains, drainage and sewerage, geotechnical and landscaping works, as well as the installation of fire hydrants and sign boards.Construction work started in 2009 and is being delivered in two phases. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for Phase I was awarded to Gammon Construction Limited and China State Construction Engineering Limited, while a Hyder Consulting, Arup and Black & Veatch joint venture secured the design-build for phase II.Phase I has been completed and phase II is now under construction. The highway is expected to be complete by 2018.9) Altanbulag-Ulaanbaatar-Zamyn Uud Highway, MongoliaThe highway, almost 1,000km long, will connect the regions of Altanbulag and Zamyn Uud in Mongolia.The scope of the project includes the construction of a 367km highway from Altanbulag to Ulaanbaatar and 630km of highway from Ulaanbaatar to Zamyn Uud.The $5bn project — aimed at reducing traffic congestion — also involves the construction of ramps, lane dividers, pedestrian ways, as well as the installation of lighting systems. The highway is being built by the Chinggis Land Development Group (CLDG) — in a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis. Construction work started in 2015 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018. 10) Wenchuan-Maerkang Highway – ChinaThe $4.7bn Wenchuan-Maerkang Highway project was announced by the Sichuan Transport Investment Group Co in 2012.The project involves the construction of a two-way, four-lane 173km-long highway in Sichuan, China. It also includes the construction of tunnels, bridges, concrete pavements, service area and related infrastructure.Construction work started in 2014 and is expected to be complete in 2017.The EPC contractor for the project is CCCC Fourth Highway Engineering Co., Ltd.11) State Highways Improvement II – IndiaState Highways Improvement II project is set to improve the road network in Karnataka, India.The $4.5bn project involves the construction of 830km of two-lane highway in the first phase and 633km in the second phase.The highway is being delivered on a design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer basis.Construction work started in 2011 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.12) Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade, AustraliaThe Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is undertaking the Pacific Highway upgrade with the aim of reducing travel times and cost for the people.The US$4.3bn project involves the upgrade of four-lane, 155km dual carriageway between Woolgoolga and Ballina on the North Coast of New South Wales. The development — being developed in 11 sections — includes the construction of 10 grade-separated interchanges, access bridges, overpasses, viaducts, cross-drainage bridges, service roads and a 1.5km new four-lane Harwood bridge over the Clarence River.The scope of the work also includes the installation of signalling and safety systems. The latest contract for the project was awarded to Ferrovial and Acciona consortium in July 2016 for the design-build of Harwood Bridge.Works on the first and second sections are underway. The entire project — expected to reduce travel times by up to 25 minutes — is scheduled for completion in 2020.13) Pan Borneo Highway Upgrade, MalaysiaThe Pan Borneo Highway Upgrade project consists in the upgrading of 1,663km of carriageway from Borneo States of Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia.The highway is being upgraded from a single-carriageway into a dual-carriageway.The scope of the work also includes the construction of bridges, pedestrian ways, and other related infrastructural facilities as well as the installation of signalling and safety systems.Lebuhaya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd is the main contractor for the $4.2bn project — being developed in different stages. Construction work started in 2015 and is scheduled for completion in 2023.* For more information on road projects, visit Timetric's Construction Intelligence Center.
Southeast Asia is in need of $2.1tr in infrastructure spending by 2030 to meet their growing population demands, according to a report by banking group HSBC.HSBC economist Joseph Incalcaterra stated in the report that the urban population in the region will rise by over 90M by 2030 and that the planned infrastructure spending would only cover $910bn.Incalcaterra said: “To fill the infrastructure gap, more non-government financing is necessary, both from private sources and institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.”The six countries covered in the report are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.According to the report, regional governments have to increase infrastructure spending. Low- to middle-income economies should spend at least 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on infrastructure — only Vietnam has been meeting this target.Indonesia and the Philippines have been increasing infrastructure budgets, while Thailand and Singapore had promised increased infrastructure spending and Malaysia should attract more investment. Incalcaterra added: “Governments across the region thus need to be much more aggressive with increasing PPP programmes and instituting proper reforms to deepen capital markets. Only that will fill ASEAN’s gaping infrastructure pothole.”
Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) power business, via its joint venture company L&T-MHPS Boilers Private Limited (LMB), has won an INR38.6bn ($576M) order for a thermal power project in Uttar Pradesh, India.The scope of the contract, awarded by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL), includes the design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of the 3x660MW Ghatampur thermal power plant.L&T Power CEO and managing director Shailendra Roy said: “This is a prestigious order from NUPPL for supercritical steam generators, with state-of-the-art equipment meeting new emission norms. LMB will meet the project schedule with best endeavours and resources conforming to international quality standards.”Currently, LMB — a joint venture between L&T India and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) — is delivering nine units of steam generator packages for large-capacity steam generators totalling 5,940MW in the country. Furthermore, six supercritical units have already commenced operations.The joint venture is also executing nine export orders for the supply of pulverisers and pressure parts for MHPS’ projects in Japan and Indonesia.
Amec Foster Wheeler has won an engineering and project management services contract from PT Pertamina and Saudi Aramco to upgrade and expand Cilacap Refinery in Central Java, Indonesia. Amec Foster Wheeler will perform the basic engineering design study, develop the scope for the proposed project and finalise the process configuration and licensors’ packages. The project is aimed to increase its capacity from 348,000 barrels to 370,000 barrels daily. It will also maximise production of cleaner gasoline and diesel, produce higher quality base oils for the domestic market, and expand annual production of aromatics and polypropylene to more than 600,000t and 160,000t respectively. The expansion project is part of Pertamina’s Refinery Development Master Plan to improve Indonesia’s energy security and involves the expansion and upgrade of its domestic refineries. The overall Cilacap Refinery upgrade project is estimated to cost about $4bn-5bn. Amec Foster Wheeler Group president for Asia, Middle East, Africa & Southern Europe Roberto Penno said: “This is a strategic project for Indonesia’s Oil & Gas industry, in one of Asia’s fastest growing economies with a growing energy demand. “We will combine our in-depth refinery expertise from our Reading, UK operation, together with our strong Asian operations, to deliver the best of Amec Foster Wheeler for this important project.”
Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) has inked an agreement with Indonesia-based PT Perusahaan Daerah Pertambangan dan Energi South Sumatra to build a 363km gas pipeline.Under the $600M contract, KOGAS will construct a 245km gas pipeline in South Sumatra, Indonesia and another gas pipeline, measuring 118km, in Bali. It will also operate and provide the project’s maintenance services over a 30-year period.KOGAS aims to conduct a feasibility study and assess the results before making a decision whether to proceed with the project.Established in 1983 by the Korean government, KOGAS operates four LNG regasification terminals and 4,440km of natural gas pipelines in South Korea.
Atlantis has entered into an agreement with privately-owned international marine, subsea and renewable energy developer SBS to establish a joint venture to develop a 150MW tidal stream site in Indonesia.SBS has been studying the potential of ocean energy resources for tidal stream devices around the Indonesian archipelago since 2013. The project will now be implemented as SBS has completed the feasibility study. The project will be supported by a 25-year power purchase agreement with the state-owned electricity company, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN).Atlantis CEO Tim Cornelius said: "The Indonesian archipelago of over 17,000 islands represents an extremely promising tidal stream resource. We are looking forward to working with SBS on this exciting project that offers the potential to provide highly predictable tidal stream power generation to the people of Indonesia."This also represents an opportunity for us to demonstrate our industry-leading tidal energy technology in a range of tidal conditions and export some of the intellectual property we have created through the development of the MeyGen project from Scotland to other parts of the world."The total cost of the project has been estimated at $750m and will be constructed over a number of stages.