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Aertssen abroad
Aertssen across borders
Belgium is not our only playing ground: Aertssen Group is active worldwide in over 30 countries. Since 2005, we have built a strong presence in the Middle East, by now our second domestic market where we have leading roles in several prestigious projects. But also in Europe, Africa, North and Central America and Asia, our most powerful machines are deployed in projects of significant size.
Locally embedded in the Middle East
At the start of the 21st century, the Deurganckdok project was finalised. Aertssen Group had to search for new opportunities, which materialised in the Middle East. Soon after, several other large contracting projects followed. By founding local subsidiaries, we have built a strong local presence. Earth Moving Worldwide (Abu Dhabi) and Gulf Earthmoving Worldwide (Qatar) serve international earthmoving and hydraulic engineering projects. Aertssen Machinery Services, started up just a few years later, supplies lifting cranes in the region.
International projects
Hail & Ghasha project, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
The Hail & Ghasha project consists of building 11 islands destined for future gas and oil exploitation. Earth Moving Worldwide supplied the material and trained personnel to execute land reclamation and rock dumping works for the National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC). We supplied 100 pieces of machinery and long reach cranes, specifically designed for rock dumping and to operate 24/7. Moreover, our showpieces, 2 Sennebogen EQ880 balance material handlers, have been mobilised in the course of 2020 to reinforce the rock installation capacity of this H&G project. In order to maintain this extensive fleet at remote locations, EMW employs a team of 55 expert engineers. They keep the material going in the scorching temperatures and climate of the Middle East.
Borouge, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Aertssen Machinery Services was responsible for all hoisting works in the silos of the Borouge Polypropylene Plant 5. Borouge is located in the western part of the UAE and one of the largest petrochemical sites of the emirate. AMS has an excellent reputation in this region and for the past decade supported contractors in Ruwais, Habshan, Haliba, Bab and the Asab fields. We are proud to be part of the 2030 Borouge growth strategy.
Etihad Rail Network, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
The Etihad Rail Project is one of the largest ongoing projects in the emirate, worth 10.9 billion USD, hence divided up in different sub packages. Aertssen Machinery Services was commissioned to unload and store the rails in the Al Faya Depot in Abu Dhabi (package 2F2). The next package is 2F1, entailing the build of bridges (offshore works) in port areas such as Khalifa harbour.
The added value of this network project is tremendous and Aertssen is proud to be part of this huge endeavour. Once finished, the Etihad Rail Network will connect the entire western region with the eastern region, including a link between all important harbours in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah.
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Qatar
In Qatar, Aertssen Machinery Services works on the build of the stadia for the FIFA World Cub 2022. AMS already built an impressive entry with their crawler cranes. The Ras Abu Aboud stadium has been constructed out of 2500 containers placed in a steel frame. Speed, accuracy and an innovative mindset have been prerequisites to get this stadium finished in time for the WC 2022 kick-off.
Hamad International Airport expansion, Qatar
The FIFA World Cup 2022 is expecting a lot of visitors, so the airport received a serious upgrade. Taxiways as well as facilities have been enlarged, which required our support with mobile cranes and transport. Limitations to allowed boom height and tight deadlines meant this project posed a challenge, but just as much was extremely interesting.
Windows Azure data centres installation, Qatar
With Windows Azure arriving in Qatar, a number of large data centres have been built, made out of modules weighing up to 45 tons per piece. The data centres themselves weigh over 2,700 tons in total. Aertssen was contracted to install all modules in 3 locations.
Duqm Refinery and Port and Nizwa Museum, Oman
The Duqm Refinery Project is one of the largest projects in South Oman. AMS is involved in all EPC packages as well as the sub packages of this fascinating project. Also the packages related to the DRP, such as subsea piping, desalination installation, power station and civil projects, are part of the scope of AMS, even reporting directly to the main contractors. AMS participated as well in the build of the fishing port of Duqm. By having been commissioned work on the pipelines between Ras Markaz and Duqm, AMS enjoys long-term partner status, which strengthens our presence in this desert region significantly. More to the north, in Nizwa and Sohar, AMS assisted in the build of the Nizwa Museum, having been responsible for hoisting and installing a large number of steel constructions and girders.