When a destination defies engineering conventions and merges adventure with heritage and innovation, it is instantly noticed. Saudi Arabia’s THE RIG. is a project set to revolutionise the world of adventure tourism and attract over 900,000 annual visitors by 2032. Three interconnected offshore platforms and a repurposed jackup rig will form the foundation of this groundbreaking adventure destination. Spanning over 300,000 square meters, this project is poised to be a global first. THE RIG. serves as a bold symbol of the futuristic vision that is unfolding in real-time across Saudi Arabia and it perfectly aligns with the objectives of Vision 2030. In fact, the words ‘vision’ and ‘possibility’ are an important source of inspiration for the project’s management team, who, in navigating the development phase of this ambitious project, have adopted the unofficial mantra of ‘making the impossible, possible.’ Even the sheer scale and size envisioned for THE RIG. is impressive. “THE RIG. will be one of the largest structures to ever be moved and positioned offshore anywhere in the world and will celebrate the offshore platforms in the Arabian Gulf,” says CEO and Engineer of THE RIG., Raed Naeem Bakhrji. Market research by the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), a closed joint stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund and responsible for the development of THE RIG., revealed that the project will appeal to a broad international audience, including adventure seekers, leisure travellers, and those interested in extreme sports. The destination will boast three hotels that collectively offer 800 rooms The research also reveals strong interest from both domestic and international audiences, with high expectations for attracting a diverse range of visitors to experience THE RIG.’s unique blend of Saudi hospitality and adventure. The trip to THE RIG. will be a unique experience, even for the most seasoned traveller. The journey will begin from one of the two terminals situated in either Dammam or Jubail Industrial City. Various accessibility options will be available to customers to reach the destination, including ferries, seaplanes, and helicopters. Private yachts will also be able to berth at THE RIG’s 50-berth marina, and cruise liners can anchor nearby with tenders taking visitors to and from the venue. The destination will be developed with industrial characteristics, designed by world-class designers, and will boast three hotels that collectively offer 800 rooms. In addition, there will be 11 restaurants and a multi-purpose arena, along with a plethora of other attractions and activities to keep visitors entertained. The interconnected platforms will also provide a sprawling canvas for adventure and will include an amusement park, a splash park, an extreme sports and adventure park, a water activity centre, a diving centre, and a multi-purpose arena. Bakhrji also mentioned that additional activities will be concentrated on one of the three platforms, including a repurposed jackup rig transformed into an immersive theatre experience. Here, visitors can engage, learn, and experience what it is like to live and work on an operational offshore oil rig. During the design phase, the mammoth task of finding solutions to the structural and practical challenges required the expertise of over 52 technical disciplines, including structural mechanical, seismic, navy, and marine engineering. Every aspect of the engineering work has been meticulously reviewed to ensure the design meets all requirements. Seven design criteria governed the final result: the architectural design itself, the safety of the visitors, the safety of the employees, the constructability, the destination sustainability, the destination experience, and the visitor experience. As THE RIG. approaches its construction phase, a combination of local and global efforts, both onshore and offshore, will be essential to prepare the site and complete this monumental project. Various components will be individually fabricated and assembled on land, then transported offshore for installation at the designated location.   For registration as supplier: https://therig.sa (ICE RIYADH)

Fonte notizia: Construction week