Construction and Infrastructure

Dutch construction firm Ballast Nedam has reported a strong performance in its 2011 results, released today.

The company reported operating profits of €19 million, with net profits of €9 million on revenues of €1.4 billion.

Ballast Nedam said it performed well considering the bleak market conditions, increasing competition and price pressure, a situation it said would persist over the coming years.

Excellent results were achieved on several large multi-year projects and in the niche markets, the company said.

Dublin Port Company has unveiled its masterplan for the next 30 years, which includes the construction of a new cruise facility to accommodate over 135,000 passengers and almost 90 cruise liners each season.

The masterplan sets out the framework for the long-term development of Ireland’s largest port. Implementing the plan will cost in excess of €600 millionover the next 30 years, with the Dublin Port Company already committing to investing €110 million over the first five years of the masterplan period.

Britain’s last remaining train factory has been thrown a lifeline with the announcement of the four shortlisted bidders for the Crossrail rolling stock and depot contract.

The Derby-based Bombardier Transportation (UK) factory is up against bids from Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles of Spain; Hitachi Rail Europe; and Germany’s Siemens.

Crossrail will require around 60 new trains, each around 200 metres in length and able to carry up to 1,500 passengers, with key features to be air conditioning and inter-connecting walk-through carriages.

Moya Air Conditioning has built its reputation upon meeting new challenges and delivering quality products. Director Quintin Davis talks about his plans for expansion and development.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) are important under any circumstances, but when it comes to specialised laboratory environments their quality, efficiency and reliability are absolutely critical. And it’s under these conditions that the services of Moya Air Conditioning are particularly appreciated.

Barbara Mommen, chief executive officer of the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative, talks about the development of this key strategic transit route.

Dhuruma Electricity Company is quietly and efficiently completing a large world-class power generating station in record time. It’s an interesting test case for the independent power plant model in Saudi Arabia.

Jorge Quijano, executive vice president of engineering with the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), talks to Jayne Alverca about taking Central America’s most high profile infrastructure program from concept to completion.

The first phase of a luxury new residential block is rapidly rising from the ground in NoMa, the fastest growing neighborhood in Washington DC.Hosein Omidi-Shal, project manager at Paradigm Construction, explains how the work has been accelerated ahead of schedule by creative task assignment.

The Dominican Republic is enjoying a period of investment in infrastructure and mining activities. Executive director Alejandro Gil tells Martin Ashcroft how Geocivil is growing along with it.

The Dominican Republic is attracting a great deal of attention at the moment, not least for the gold discoveries made by various mining operations, including Barrick Gold’s Pueblo Viejo.

Western Australia is one of the boom regions of the world, and its capital city Perth—home to 75 per cent of the state’s inhabitants—is the epicentre of its economic growth. Over the next three years, A$750 million is being invested in improvements to Perth Airport and its accessibility.