Germany/UAE: Vahle Signs Contract for Ain Dubai

In Dubai, off the coast where the “Jumeirah Beach Residence“ (JBR) complex is located, Meraas Holding is currently developing “Bluewaters Island”, an artificial luxury island. Once completed, this man-made island will not only house premium apartments, penthouses, townhouses and close to 200 retail and dining concepts but also the world’s largest Ferris wheel in the world. “Ain Dubai” is the name of the over 210 meter high observation wheel, which is scheduled to be opened in due time for “Expo 2020“ in October of that year. Featuring 48 air-conditioned luxury cabins for a total of 1,400 visitors, the wheel’s travel time will be 48 minutes, offering guests astonishing views of popular sights such as Dubai Marina, Burj Khalifa or Burj Al Arab. With a height of over 210 meters, Ain Dubai will surpass current record-holder “High Roller“ in Las Vegas, which is 167 meters high (cp. EAP news f. 29 April 2014).

German Vahle Group, experts for energy and data transmission systems for mobile industrial applications, today signed a contract with the Korean main contractor Hyundai Engineering & Construction for electrifying and automating the observation wheel. Vahle will supply approx. 15 kilometers of special conductor systems, switching cabinets, the lighting conductor rail and a track monitoring system “made in Kamen”. According to the company, the total contract value for Vahle is in the high single-digit million Euro range. It is not the first time that Vahle is involved in the construction of a Ferris wheel – also the “Singapore Flyer” and “Orlando Eye” (cp. EAP news f. 4 June 2018) were equipped with the technology of the company. (eap)

Editor’s note: In an earlier version of this news it was wrongly considered that the observation wheel would have a height of 260 metres. According to developer Meraas‘ own statement, Ain Dubai will be over 210 metres tall. The developer, on the other hand, does not communicate an investment volume for the project.