Building the future with Dubai RefreshmentDubai Refreshment Company is undertaking the realisation of a new bottling plant at Dubai Investment Park, UAE. DRC was established over 50 years ago. The existing plant, which is now 30 years at its current location, can not supply the current demand. This plant is congested and has logistical difficulties as such it does not have capacity for future filling lines and in order to increase production a new site and factory is required.Darryl Tjin Wong Joe, Project Manager explains, "This new factory will contain 5 filling lines at commencement. The design will ensure process efficient and sustainable buildings that are worker friendly and fit for future expansion plans. LEED certification at the US Green Building Council is being considered provided that cost is not inhibitive, however many of the LEED principles will be adopted for utility efficiencies.""This project involves the design of the office, employee and production buildings and the infrastructure required to enable the installation of a refreshment bottling factory", Darryl continues, DRC requires the factory to consist eventually of 10 filling lines. Royal Haskoning is engaged as the lead consultant, working with other consultants such as UK Engineering for the Beverage consultancy and KPMG for the IT consultancy and the engineers and project manager of DRC. The consultants are managed by an external project management company named Project Management Group, PMG. Royal Haskoning's services comprise structural and architectural works, building related mechanical and electrical works and the project design management and coordination as well as assistance to acquire all relevant approvals from regulatory bodies, tender services and construction supervision. 'As this project is one of the World's largest soft drink factory, Royal Haskoning is very pleased to be involved' Darryl added.... On the other handABN AMRO moved office in January 2010 from their previous location in Dubai City Centre to the financial district DIFC. Royal Haskoning, a long time relation of ABN AMRO, has managed the relocation and the design supervision of the new office. The design team consisting of the architect Wim Kitselar, and the Mechanical and Electrical engineers "Booms and Kuipers Technisch Adviesbureau" made a very strong team, which is reflected in the design. The new office has the capacity to house up to 80 employees, and has a high valued client facing area with 4 meeting rooms. The office and meeting rooms are designed and built according to the latest ABN AMRO standards and guidelines and therefore comply with safety, health and ergonomic standards. The contractors on this job were Summertown Interiors who are located in Dubai, while special finishes and furniture were shipped from The Netherlands. The Dutch Company J. van der Marel BV has applied the special finishes in the Client Facing areas. "The project was quite remarkable with regard to the time schedule. The completion date was fixed due to local legal regulations as well as Dutch bank regulations, and ABN AMRO required that the operations would not be hampered by the move. Despite the tight window, the move to the DIFC was considered smooth." said Darryl Tjin who is the Project Manager on this project. Just recently, the department named ECT, previously part of Fortis, transferred to the same office. The office design allowed for flexibility for future expansion of personnel and therefore the department was installed easily without too many building amendments.Darryl Tjin Wongjoed.tjinwongjoe@royalhaskoning.com+971 50 726 2668 >> 4rangeinternational

Facilitating the protection of 1700 km Omani coastline >>"Royal Haskoning was commissioned in October 2008 to initially undertake a study for, then prepare a detailed design and finally supervise the construction of a sheltered harbour and coastguard station in Sidab, just south of Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman. The natural bay located at Sidab is presently the home of the Royal Oman Police (ROP) coastguard vessel maintenance facility. The ROP had been advised to improve these facilities and also utilise the remaining available space on the opposite side of the bay for the docking of 28 coastguard vessels of various sizes. The local Coastguard is the division of the ROP that has the responsibility of protecting the 1700km long Omani Coastline from smuggling and illegal infiltration into the country. In addition, the Coastguard provides offshore aid and rescue services to fishermen, travellers and ships, which may face difficulties at sea. Advance works have begun where the aim of the contract is to undertake reclamation works through the excavation of materials from the existing rock 'jebel', meaning 'hill', at Sidab; this is in order to facilitate the future construction of the new harbour. The primary objective is to provide a reclaimed area and access road into the site using materials quarried from the existing jebel. Secondary to this is the production of rock armour units, breakwater core material and rock grade 50 and 200 material for future works. As of January 2011 approximately 80% of the jebel has been cut and the resulting material processed. The whole operation needs to be carried out sensitively, with strict compliance to local legislation and respect for the local environment and community."There was a necessity to relocate a group of fishermen, this was a delicate situation as the fisheries industry is protected in Oman by Royal decrees, due to its traditional significance", says Neil Seddon, Resident Engineer.As Royal Haskoning is a major force in maritime design and project management it is essential to have staff who are prepared to work almost anywhere in the world. As part of this, it is essential to appreciate the variation in different cultures and their customs. "Last year I spent some time in Vietnam and this year I have been based entirely in Oman, both extremely different cultures but both fascinating," added Neil.Neil Seddonn.seddon@royalhaskoning.com+971 50 225 0931""It is essential to appreciate the variation in different cultures and their customs. Neil Seddon, Resident Engineer, Royal Haskoningrangeinternational >> 5