News

Guatemala is to negotiate a loan of US$400 million with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) to develop rural roads. The loan will be on top of loans of $200 million taken from the World Bank and of $237 million taken from the IADB for the same purpose. The nation’s government says that with $150 million alone it could also build nearly 500kms of rural roads. The authorities would also like to replace some of existing bridges. Between 60 and 70 temporary bridges are earmarked to be re

Vietnam received around US$2.07 trillion (PHP90 trillion) between 2011 and 2013 from private investors for major transport infrastructure projects, according to the country’s Ministry of Transport. Among the contracts awarded to private investors during 2011-2013 is the expansion of National Highway No 1 that is to be carried out under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis with an investment, while others are awarded as public-private partnership (PPP) or build and transfer (BT) projects.

The Chinese Exim Bank is providing much of the funding for two highway projects in Macedonia. The construction work will be carried out by a Chinese contractor, which has signed a deal with the Macedonian Government. The Chinese Sinohydro Corporation will build two stretches of highway linking Kicevo-Ohrid and Miladinovci-Stip. These will measure 56.7km and 53km long, respectively. Some 90% of the construction costs will come from the Macedonian Government, with this €580 million being provided by the loan

A new development looks set to offer an efficient alternative to lithium ion batteries for use in electric vehicles (EVs). At present the current generation of EVs feature lithium-ion batteries to store energy. However the performance of the lithium ion batteries has been criticised, particularly with regard to the recharge time required as this is considerably longer than the time needed to refuel a combustion engine-powered vehicle. While faster charging technologies are available for lithium ion batterie

Work is starting in Nepal on a new tunnel project worth some US$347 million. The new tunnel forms part of the 58km route between Hetauda and Kathmandu. The project developer is Nepal Purbadhar Bikas (NPBCL) and the tunnel is being built at Bhimphedi in Makwanpur. The new route will reduce the journey time between Hetauda and Kathmandu from six hours at present to just one hour when the tunnel opens to traffic in December 2016. Once the new route is open it is also expected to improve traffic safety as the e

According to market analysis by global advisory firm KPMG, the value of global transactions in the transport infrastructure sector has risen steeply since the beginning of 2013. KPMG reports that 2013 looks set to be a record year for transport infrastructure deals. The first half of 2013 saw global deals of infrastructure assets worth US$16.6 billion. By the end of the third quarter this figure had risen to $23.5 billion. The majority of assets acquired in 2013 have been either in Europe or Asia.

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) and Shell are now working together on testing the Shell GTL (gas-to-liquids) fuel in construction operations. The latest range of Hitachi Zaxis-5 excavators is being used to trial the innovative liquid fuel. This concept is being tested as a potential solution to environmental and quality concerns surrounding conventional crude oil-derived diesel. The test programme has been developed as a solution for cleaner burning fuel products. This is in response to th

Excavation work is now underway in Brazil for the Transolimpica tunnel. The US$688.6 million project forms part of the preparation works for the 2016 Olympic Games. The 23km route will connect Barra da Tijuca and Deodoro in Rio de Janeiro. The construction work is expected to last 18 months and should be complete by December 2015. Work on the Transolimpica route is being carried out by the Viario consortium, which comprises Odebrecht, Invepar, and CCR. The tunnel will feature two lanes in each direction whe

The cost of Chile’s Vespucio Oriente highway project is increasing, while its completion also looks set to be delayed. A 13% budget increase is now required due to additional costs from a number of factors such as urban landscaping, according to Business News Americas. The Américo Vespucio Oriente (AVO) expressway is being built in Chilean capital Santiago and was originally expected to cost in the region of US$940 million. However Chile’s Public Works Ministry, MOP, has said that the route will now cost so

Chinese equipment firm LiuGong is adding to its portfolio with the planned acquisition of a transmissions operation in Poland. The ZZN Transmission Plant in Stalowa Wola lies next door to LiuGong’s existing facility that makes the Dressta range of bulldozers. Parts from the ZZN facility are used in many of the Dressta bulldozers and the acquisition is a strategic move that will strengthen LiuGong’s presence in Europe through the LiuGong Poland subsidiary, as well as its component manufacturing capabilities.

British construction equipment manufacturing giant JCB is to provide machines and generators worth more than US$500,000 to assist vital clean-up work in the typhoon-hit Philippines. The company is sending a fleet of three 3CX backhoe loaders after Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on land, left up to 2,500 people dead. In addition, more than 120 JCB electrical generators are being provided through the company’s Filipino dealer Camec. The generators are already being used to po

Compact equipment manufacturer Wacker Neuson reports an upturn in its business in the third quarter of 2013. This comes despite the difficult economic climate. The firm’s revenue for the third quarter of 2013 was 8.6% higher than the same period in 2012 and reached €276.3 million, compared €254.5 million in the previous year. Taking into account currency fluctuations, this represents an increase of 13% according to the firm. “When viewed against negative trends in certain markets, we can be satisfied with t