Jordan, through Aqaba, looks forward to playing a bigger role in the region by offering world class multi modal transport and logistics network, competitive investment legislative framework and true public private partnership. ADC, being the central development arm for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and owner of the ports, was mandated by ASEZA and the Government of Jordan to develop, expand and modernize available ports facilities and operations and introduce new ports in accordance with the Kingdoms needs and the ASEZ masterplan. 

Today Aqaba Ports Community consists of 12 terminals stretching over 32 specialized berths and they are operated by world class operators utilizing technology and operating under international standards, building capacity within Jordan’s labor force and taking highest measures when it comes to safety and environmental. 

Key to Aqaba Ports Community Masterplan is the relocation of Aqaba’s main port previously located on the northern shores of Aqaba. The ASEZ master plan adopted in 2002 calls for creating a new general cargo port in the Southern industrial Zone adjacent to the Saudi border allowing the old port location to be used for mixed use developments mainly tourism, recreation and commercial. Today the old main port is part of Marsa Zayed Project, a multibillion USD UAE investment by Eagle Hills. 

Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) is by all means one of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone’s strategic logistics pillars contributing to the Kingdom’s economic competitiveness and empowering the transport supply chain with an efficient, and internationally renowned service provider. In 2006, 25-year Joint Development Agreement (JDA) was signed between Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) and APM Terminals. It is a model that is founded on innovation, public private partnership and commitment for excellence. In 2015, the terminal witnessed an expansion to 1000 m, which resulted in increasing the Terminal’s handling capacity to 1.5 million TEUs.

Developed by ADC and managed by Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management, the New Port is fully operational. It consists of 9 berths with an average depth of 13-15 m. The Ports annual handling capacity mounts to 36 million tons. It handles grain, general cargo, ro-ro, coal and live cattle.  The New Port also contains grain terminal and 28 vertical silos with a total capacity of 100 thousand ton.  The grain terminal’s handling equipment includes 2 ship unloaders for a total capacity of 1600 ton/hour.   

Developed over 2 main phases, phase one was completed in 2015 and went into operation in the same year. The second and third phases were combined into one phase launched 2015 and completed in 2018. The total cost of developing Aqaba new port mounted to 310 million JOD (439 million USD). 

The Ports Community Masterplan achieved also included the energy ports. This entailed the establishment of Aqaba Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal, financed through the Kuwaiti Fund and named Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al Saba (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Terminal (LPG) in addition, to the rehabilitation the existing Oil Terminal. It is important to note that plans afoot towards establishing Iraqi Oil Export terminal dedicated to exporting Iraqi oil through Aqaba Ports. 

Moreover, and through a public private partnership, Aqaba Industrial Terminal and Aqaba Phosphate Terminal were rehabilitated and expanded. In partnership with Jordan Industrial Ports Company, 2 additional berths were added to the facility increasing its annual handling capacity to 9 million tons and enhancing operational efficiency as well as environmental and safety measures.  As for the Phosphate terminal, it is important to note that the phosphate export facility located previously in the northern port was removed. Through a partnership with Jordan Phosphate Mining Company a new phosphate terminal was constructed with state of the art operational facilities insuring highest environmental standards. 

In terms of Passenger Terminals, Aqaba Cruise Ship Terminal is located, within the Marsa Zayed project, in the northern part of Aqaba and is capable of receiving 2 vessels per day with a total capacity of 3000 pax. The Cruise Ship Terminal is to witness rehabilitation to its facilities. 
The Passenger Terminal, located south of Aqaba Container Terminal, and due to the increasing volume of passenger traveling between Egypt and Jordan during the Haj season the need for the expansion and upgrade of the terminal and facilities emerged. ADC, has conducted the following developments: expansion and furnishing of terminal buildings, expansion of yards and stabling additional yards for Haj season uses. 

To enable the Port of Aqaba to have viable, productive and profitable Marine Services, ADC entered into 15-year JV agreement with Lamnalco (UAE) as the winner of the international tender to operate the Marine Services at Aqaba Port. The joint venture company (Aqaba Port Marine Services Co. APMSCO) manages, operates and re-equips the Marine Services assets and activities at the Ports of Aqaba. Aqaba ports are served with 2 Marine services facilities one of which is dedicated for the LNG terminal, while the second is located as part of Aqaba New Port premises and serves Aqaba Ports Community as a whole.