Aqaba Development Corporation explores expanding the investment complex by an additional 500 dunums

He explained that the multi-purpose port handled 1.8 million tons of transit goods during the current year, compared to about 38.9 thousand tons in 2023, while transit trade through the container port increased by 151.8%, reaching 115,762 containers, compared to 45,981 containers last year.

He noted that 94,530 vehicles were handled as part of transit trade at the multi-purpose port, in addition to 79,795 vehicles through the cruise terminal, indicating that the storage capacity for vehicle yards increased from 6,000 to 17,000 vehicles after allocating about 150,000 square meters of additional yards.

Projects to develop ports and roads

Regarding development projects, Al-Safadi said that Aqaba Development Corporation has floated a tender for the rehabilitation of the Durra crossing worth 20 million dinars, and that the submitted bids are currently under study, while lighting works for the road connecting the new Aqaba port and the Durra customs have been completed. The company is working on developing additional lanes and rehabilitating roads to accommodate the movement of vehicles and goods, including heavy shipments heading to Saudi Arabia.

He added that the company is working on creating additional yards for vehicle inspection, as part of a comprehensive plan to develop the southern industrial zone and southern ports to meet the needs of current and future commercial traffic.

A new oil berth and a crude oil export unit

Regarding the oil port, Al-Safadi explained that the rise in operational activity led to increased pressure on the current berth, in light of the movement of Iraqi crude oil exports and the import of vegetable oils to Iraq, in addition to meeting the local market's needs for petroleum products.

He said that the company has finalized a framework agreement with a private sector partner to establish a crude oil export unit, expecting it to be completed within 6 to 7 months, which will contribute to easing the pressure on the current berth.

He added that the company has floated a tender for the construction of a new oil port worth 47 million dinars, which is currently subject to a study of bids submitted by international companies. The company is also studying the viability of the Mu'tah berth in the central area of the Aqaba coast for rehabilitation and allocation for handling vegetable oils, with studies expected to be completed within 3 months.

Expansion of the investment complex

In the industrial sector, Al-Safadi said that the natural gas station and its network to supply the Quwayra Industrial City, which covers an area of 1,800 dunums, have been completed, expecting the project to contribute to reducing production costs by about 35%.

He pointed out that the South Aqaba Investment Complex reached its full capacity during the current year, with investments of nearly 21 million dinars and a developed area exceeding 1.5 million square meters, including 12 warehouses, four industrial buildings, and spaces for storage and light industries.

He added that the company is holding discussions to expand the complex by about 500 additional dunums, and is also working with the relevant authorities to develop the Aqaba-Ma'an dry port project, which aims to provide spaces for storage and cargo handling and to enhance commercial and logistical connectivity via railways.

Al-Safadi pointed out that a tender for the rehabilitation of the road leading to the entrance of the industrial zone has been awarded, noting that the contractor has begun preparing the site in preparation for the start of work.