Early Beginnings:

The growth of Aqaba Port began in 1950, shortly after the Palestinian War when Jordan was cut off from its inlet to the Mediterranean and was obliged to use the ports of Latakia (Syria) and Beirut (Lebanon) for its overseas trade.

Later on army goods were shipped to Aqaba followed by civilian general cargo, which was discharged on an old army basin, built during the last world war. Naturally lighters were used for discharging.

The Government, realizing that the country must have its own port, a temporary lighters quay and storage houses were made under a condition that all imports from UK and North Continent -from which ports two regular lines commenced calling- should be shipped via Aqaba. Subsequently, shipping lines commenced operations from Adriatic ports, then from Scandinavia, USA, Far East, later on from Black Sea, USSR, and by 1961 imports to Jordan from anywhere in the world were restricted by the Government to be imported via Aqaba. Consequently the port developed very rapidly.

The completion of the highway between Aqaba and Amman and the subsequent construction of the Phosphate loading installation made it possible to increase the country’s main exports, namely phosphate. It was imperative to develop the Port since Jordan combines competitive attributes considering its strategic location, its access to foreign markets in addition to the high quality and competitive priced labor. These same attributes encouraged declaring Aqaba as a Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), being strategically located at the crossroads of four countries and three continents. It is also situated at the Gulf of Aqaba leading to the Red Sea. It is now a customs-free entity, Jordanian exports to US & EU markets are quota and duty free, 7% sales tax, 5% flat income tax, and no social service tax.

Aqaba Port Information:

	Authority • Aqaba Port Authority was established in 1952. • Further restructuring in 1978 led to the creation of the Ports Corporation of Aqaba. • The Port of Aqaba is state-owned and operated through the Ports Corporation, which reports to the Ministry of Transport.
	Charges • The tariff is based on the Ports Corporation's service charge regulations. • Charges are fixed for services and items. • The Port Corporation charges are now among the lowest in the Middle East and are considerably lower than in most neighboring countries. • Special discounts might be granted to certain types of traffic, for example T/S Containers & local export containers.
	Aqaba Main Port The main port has 12 berths, the container port has three, one passenger berth and the industrial port has four.
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Container Terminal

Discharging / Loading Equipments

• 2 Gantry Cranes (30-35 MT)
• 1 New Gantry Crane (50 MT)
• 1 Straddle Carrier (30-35 MT)
• Lift Handlers
• Tug Masters
• Trailers
• Towing Tractors

Stockyard Capacity

The stockyard is operated by Aqaba Port Authority; a governmental corporation:
• 309000 Sq. M.
• 7000 Full
• 5000 Empties
• 376 Reefer Plugs

Above will be improved in the near future as the Ports Authority plans to expand the stock area and container terminal and buy new equipment.

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