GULFTAINER
Sharjah-based Gulftainer, the region’s leading port management firm, has announced that its Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) received the “Hyundai Brave” last week. The impressive 8,600 TEU, 339 meter-long, 99,000 DWT ship is the first of the new ships that were recently introduced by Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) into the French Asia Line (FAL) Europe/Asia service operated by CMA-CGM. As one of the giants of Korean and world business, HMM is strongly represented in the Gulf region, and welcoming the “Hyundai Brave” was an important occasion for KCT, which had to ensure that operational performance was up to the usual high standards and that the ship was handled quickly and effectively to keep her on schedule. This was particularly important as the container shipping industry is currently concerned about rising levels of port congestion throughout the Middle East and globally. KCT rose to the challenge, achieving the excellent productivity figures of 155 moves per hour, allowing the ship to depart on schedule for the Far East. Gulftainer Director and General Manager Peter Richards said: “KCT has been busy in 2008, but thanks to the splendid performance of our staff at the terminal and the excellent co-operation of all our line customers and their agents, we have avoided congestion and are continuously achieving operational performances which are good by any standards. And the fact that we are able to maintain these standards at a time when there is concern about the ability of terminals in this region being able to cope with increased volumes is a particularly important accomplishment.”
SHERWOODS
Sherwoods Independent Property Consultants has announced that it has strengthened its portfolio of financing options for both resale and direct from developer markets in Abu Dhabi, capitalizing on the long-term business potential of the UAE capital’s real estate market. Sherwoods emphasized that it has concentrated on creating and promoting long-term investment options in response to the burgeoning demand for properties in Abu Dhabi, which Sherwoods believes is a key factor in generating high rental returns and maintaining price stability. Sherwoods’ enhanced marketing campaign also takes advantage of increased activity in Abu Dhabi’s property market as investors capitalize on newly enacted real estate laws and the conspicuous sharp increase in demand for residential and commercial properties. Sherwoods also pointed out that Abu Dhabi’s deliberate and measured approach in real estate development will help protect the emirate from uncontrolled growth while ensuring sustainability and long-term return on investments for property investors. “We advise our clients about the superior benefits of long-term investment options because unlike other property markets Abu Dhabi is putting greater emphasis on stability and harmonious development, which ultimately translates to stronger yields as investors hold on longer to their properties,” said Robet Tasker, projects manager for Sherwoods Property-Abu Dhabi branch.
DAMAC
DAMAC Properties has unveiled its new corporate identity with a brand promise of “Wish Fulfillment” as a testimony of its move from features of luxury to a unique focus on the benefits of luxury. “Wish fulfillment” extends the equity that DAMAC Properties has built behind the current luxury positioning, while depicting luxury in a more unique context. An international customer research program assessed that DAMAC has perceived strengths in luxurious developments, high quality construction and great places to live. “Wish fulfillment” not only recommits to DAMAC’s core strengths, but it also stakes out a luxury-based position that is differentiating. The new DAMAC word mark and identity symbolize reflective luxury, a symbol of DAMAC reflecting the desires and wishes of its customers. The stylized alphabets create a distinct look while the forward tilt of the alphabets symbolizes the operational, enterprising and advancing capabilities of DAMAC. Speaking about the new identity, Hussain Sajwani, chairman of DAMAC Holding, said: “DAMAC Properties embarked on a journey in 2002, and today we are one of the largest private property developers in the region. The DAMAC Properties brand enjoys a premium over our competitors due to the luxury and quality we offer. Our goal is to become the world leader in the global luxury segment. Luxury has played an inevitable role in our business and it is imperative that we strengthen our offering further. Today, many competitors offer luxury as a feature. In order to distinguish and sustain our competitive edge over others, we have introduced our new brand promise that focuses on the benefits of luxury, and at the same time fulfilling the wishes of our customers.”
TATWEER
Tatweer and Tiger Woods, chairman of Tiger Woods Design, has officially unveiled the master plan for The Tiger Woods Dubai, the exclusive residential golf community. Scheduled for completion in 2009, The Tiger Woods Dubai fittingly combines the vision of Tatweer with that of Tiger Woods. The Tiger Woods Dubai will encompass Al Ruwaya, the first golf course designed by Tiger Woods. The 13 million sq. ft. golf course will offer only 200 memberships with residents of the community being given top priority. In addition, Al Ruwaya will also include a professionally staffed golf academy, a 145,000 sq. ft. clubhouse with premium amenities, and a high-end destination spa. Prior to unveiling the master plan, The Tiger Woods Dubai project director, Abdulla Al-Gurg accompanied Tiger on a site visit, to walk the course and survey the contouring of the completed holes. Tiger Woods said: “When I set out to design Al-Ruwaya, I wanted the course to reflect what I truly love about golf, a stern mental and physical test that rewards smart thinking. I believe we’ve achieved that goal with a course that will be fun and rewarding for all skill levels to play.”
ABYAAR
Luxury property developer Abyaar, walked away with two awards this year at the CNBC Arabian Property Awards 2008. Abyaar’s prominent ICE tower the joint venture with Mada’in Properties won the award for the “Best high-rise architecture” and Hiliana won the award for “Best high-rise Development”. ICE tower, is one of Abyaar’s more recent joint venture projects that will be launched at Cityscape Dubai 2008, located in the Dubai Marina, and will comprise 107 exclusive units. Construction of the tower is scheduled to commence in 2008. Marzooq Al-Rashdan, vice chairman and managing director of Abyaar, welcomed the award as a testament to Abyaar’s focus on quality and design, “This is a great honor for us, and reinforcing our path to being recognized internationally as a quality-focused property developer.” Hilliana, located in Acacia Avenue, features a total 148 apartments all have water views, including 66 luxury serviced apartments, 72 sky villas and 10 individually designed penthouses with the interior designed by world renowned interior designer Andree Putman, and follows on Abyaar’s tradition of incorporating only the highest quality design and construction.
AL-BARG COMPANY
A new waterless vehicle care cleaner has been launched in Dubai at a ceremony that held in Burj Al Arab recently. The biodegradable cleaner, Bio Wash Waterless Car Care, claims to wash cars without water, even vehicles with mud. It also protects vehicles from ultra violet and infra red rays, acid rains and reduces the paint oxidation. Abdullah Saleh Al-Sayed, president of Al-Barg Company, says that drinking water should not be used for cleaning vehicles and this product is totally environment friendly and suite for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market. “There are more than 7.85 million vehicles on the road in the Gulf countries and an average car requires 20 to 45 gallons of water for a one-time wash. This means Gulf countries require 255 million gallons of water to wash these vehicles at a time. It is a real threat for this area as we scarce of potable water,” Al-Sayed explained.
