Jordan Daily - Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday called for accelerating expansion and development projects at Aqaba’s ports to strengthen trade and energy security and reinforce the kingdom’s role as a regional logistics hub.
During a visit to the Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management, Hassan said the ports were operating efficiently and serving as a major regional gateway despite challenges facing the region.
Hassan also inspected the Aqaba Oil Terminal, highlighting plans to expand its capacity and upgrade facilities over the next two years to strengthen energy security and improve petroleum supplies to neighbouring countries, a Prime Ministry statement said.
He said government measures introduced over the past year had accelerated cargo handling and customs clearance, facilitated imports and exports, expanded storage capacity and supported transit trade and strategic reserves.
Hassan also highlighted the Aqaba-Shidiya-Maan railway project, for which the foundation stone was laid two weeks ago, saying it should be accompanied by continued investment in port infrastructure and logistics services.
The railway is expected to improve freight movement and strengthen Aqaba’s position as a regional transport hub. Hassan described the Aqaba-Maan inland port project as a government priority.
He stressed the importance of maintaining high safety and security standards to improve the ports’ competitiveness and reinforce confidence in their operations.
Separately, Hassan said a natural gas project serving industrial areas in Aqaba and Al Quweira, inaugurated about three months ago, was expected to lower operating costs, boost industrial competitiveness and support Jordanian exports.
Further development projects were expected to be announced in the near future, he said.
