In an exclusive conversation with Construction Week Middle East, Johnson Arabia (JA) provides details on its two recent projects in Oman: the Sanvira – Coke Calciner Plant in Sohar Freezone (CPC Plant) and the Nizwa Date Processing Plant.

Johnson Arabia entered the CPC Plant site while the site was 40% completed and was involved in several stages. The company noted that it first conducted the required site inspections to ensure that the requested machinery sizes would suit the job.

Sanvira – Coke Calciner Plant in Sohar Freezone

For these projects, Johnson Arabia collaborated with companies they previously worked with. This built confidence among them about the operators who were working on the 40m booms, which are considered tricky to operate at that height.

Meanwhile, for the dates’ plant, JA began with a site inspection to guarantee that the ground was level and that it was safe to use the equipment. Since this was the company’s first project in Nizwa, logistically, there were a few challenges; however, JA noted that it could team up with local suppliers for items that had to be replaced on the machines. Some of the operators also required training, which was provided for safety reasons and damage prevention by JA.

Nizwa Date Processing Plant.

Initially, Johnson Arabia was located in Sohar, which was a 10-min drive from the CPC plant; however, the company had to relocate its main yard and offices to Barka, which was 150km away while the work was going on. Besides ensuring that clients were aware of the location change, the company had to ensure that services weren’t disrupted due to the move, which the company noted was “a critical challenge”.

Johnson Arabia equipment utilisation

For the CPC Plant, Johnson Arabia used 40m straight booms during the mechanical stages of the project, in particular, during the steel erection phase. The equipment was also used during MEP works – for the installation of electrical and plumbing works – most of which were on the roof.

Fire and safety systems also utilised JA’s equipment, for which it worked with numerous companies. The company’s 26m articulated booms were also used for reaching different areas and other low-height spaces.

Initially, JA was located in Sohar, which was a 10-min drive from the CPC plant; however, the company had to relocate its main yard and offices to Barka, which was 150km away while the work was going on

For the dates’ factory, JA supplied 28m straight booms for erecting the steel structure and installing the roof sheeting on top of the frame. A combination of access platforms with boom lengths of 28m and 16m, respectively, were supplied along with 15m scissor lifts for internal works, the company said. Additionally, the scissor lifts used for the project were able to hold up to six people with tools, ensuring that the work was completed quicker.