Global Scans · Construction · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: 65 per cent of global construction growth for the next decade will happen in emerging markets. Smart cities, sustainable construction, greater urbanization and pre-fabricated buildings will all play their part in future construction growth.

• [New] The United States Coast Guard announced the finalization of two contracts for the construction and delivery of six Arctic Security Cutters, a brand-new class of polar icebreakers that will strengthen America's position in the Arctic. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• [New] Starting with the AI data center currently under construction in Ulsan, SKT will build a cluster of over 2GW across the southeastern region, using it as a base to attract AI infrastructure demand from global big tech companies to Korea. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] Further EU progress on pricing carbon emissions is expected via the introduction of ETS2, covering buildings, road transport and smaller industries, in 2028. European Central Bank
• [New] Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiatives have accelerated vertical construction across cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, driving demand for both new elevator installations and lifecycle maintenance services. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The UK construction industry currently employs around 2.6 million people, yet industry forecasts suggest the workforce will need to grow to almost 2.7 million by 2030 to meet demand. O'Neill & Brennan
• [New] A global construction slowdown is threatening PVC demand in the second half of 2026, compounded by El Nino risks, persistent oversupply and high interest rates across key markets. Energynews.pro
• [New] Following a 2.7% contraction in 2025, US construction output is forecast to grow by around 1.1% in 2026 with an average annual growth of 2.1% through 2030. Yahoo! Finance
• [New] The NRC is expected to issue licensing decisions on SMR construction permits during 2026 - a genuine milestone in an industry where regulatory milestones have historically been rare and slow. JC Shepard(dot)com
• [New] The largest loss of working hours in western, northern and southern Europe by 2030 is expected to be felt by the agriculture and construction sectors. The Guardian
• [New] Bloomberg's data comes from Sightline Climate, which estimates that of the roughly 12 GW expected to come online in the US in 2026, only about 5 GW is currently under construction. SemiAnalysis
• [New] Construction remains one of the world's least digitized major industries despite growing investment in technology, creating significant opportunities for productivity improvement through digital transformation. Global Banking & Finance Review
• [New] By 2029, several new gas pipeline projects are expected to be completed, three of which are slated to finish construction in 2026. Insurance Journal
• [New] Weather-related productivity losses on Australian construction projects are among the most underestimated budget risks, with many project managers failing to build adequate contingency until they have been caught out at least once. Harrison Barratt Group
• [New] Construction of CO2 transport and storage infrastructure has now begun at both Track-1 clusters, which are expected to start operations in 2028. Climate Change Committee
• [New] Building regulations: revised regulations requiring low-carbon heating in new buildings will be implemented in England and Wales in 2027 and are already in force in Scotland. Climate Change Committee
• [New] Data center construction alone will require $2.9 trillion by 2028, much of it debt-financed. X (formerly Twitter)
• [New] Contractor demand is softer in 2026 but expected to rebound strongly in 2027, driven by improving residential and nonresidential construction. Electrical Trends

Last updated: 08 July 2026