Aqaba:The Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) is advancing a comprehensive package of port and infrastructure projects aimed at increasing handling capacity, enhancing operational efficiency, and augmenting energy trade across the Red Sea region. The initiative, outlined by CEO Hussein Safadi, is part of a strategic effort to position Aqaba as a key logistics and energy gateway.
According to Jordan News Agency, the expansion aligns with directives from Prime Minister Jafar Hassan's recent operational audit in the Aqaba Governorate. This audit called for accelerated port upgrades to manage increasing regional trade flows and strengthen national supply chain resilience.
ADC is prioritizing several projects, including a new oil terminal and an offshore Single Point Mooring (SPM) buoy system for petroleum export operations. The projects include a significant expansion in vehicle and container logistics. An Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) tender has been issued for the marine civil works at the new oil terminal, which will have an annual operational capacity of 5 million tonnes.
Additionally, the SPM offshore buoy system, funded by the private sector under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, is expected to be operational within eight months of contract signing, aimed for mid-2027. These developments are designed to meet domestic refined product needs and facilitate Iraqi crude oil exports via Aqaba.
To accommodate increased traffic, ADC has expanded vehicle staging yards and designated additional space for logistics operations. Performance metrics through the third quarter of 2026 indicate significant growth in throughput across all terminals, with notable increases in cargo handling and transit traffic.
ADC has also implemented measures to handle car-carrier volumes and improve land transport logistics, including strategic synergies with regional railway and dry port projects. Furthermore, ongoing negotiations aim to expand the Aqaba South Industrial Estate, enhancing its capacity to support industrial activities.