Port of Aqaba

Shipping Arabia, October 11, 2026 – The Jordan Shipping Association (JSA) participated in the AWFA GATEWAY 2026 conference, the inaugural gathering of the Arab World Freight Alliance (AWFA), held in Amman from September 29 to October 1, 2026. The three-day event brought together approximately 100 freight forwarding and logistics companies from 18 Arab countries to strengthen regional cooperation, develop business partnerships and explore opportunities across the freight and logistics industry.

The conference provided a regional platform for Arab freight and logistics companies to expand professional networks and identify opportunities for business development. It also focused on building a more interconnected Arab logistics network, improving supply chain integration and strengthening connections between regional and international markets.

AWFA GATEWAY 2026 Focuses on Regional Logistics Cooperation

The AWFA GATEWAY 2026 conference addressed several issues affecting the future of freight forwarding and logistics across the Arab region. Discussions examined challenges and opportunities facing regional supply chains, the potential for greater cooperation among Arab companies and Jordan’s role as a regional logistics hub.

Participants also explored opportunities to develop commercial partnerships, enter new markets and strengthen cooperation between logistics service providers. These discussions reflected the conference’s objective of supporting greater integration across the Arab freight and logistics sector.

Business-to-business (B2B) meetings formed another part of the event, providing participating companies with opportunities to establish professional connections and discuss potential commercial partnerships.

The meetings supported the conference’s broader aim of encouraging direct cooperation between companies operating in different Arab markets and identifying opportunities for joint business development.

Jordanian-Arab Logistics Cooperation Platform Launched

One of the developments during the conference was the launch of a Jordanian-Arab platform designed to strengthen communication and cooperation among companies and organizations involved in freight forwarding, customs clearance and logistics services.

The initiative aims to facilitate professional collaboration across these sectors and support the development of a more integrated regional transport and logistics network.

By encouraging closer coordination among service providers, the platform seeks to contribute to improvements in regional trade connectivity and supply chain integration.

Its launch aligned with the conference’s emphasis on building stronger business relationships and expanding cooperation between Arab freight and logistics companies.

Jordan Shipping Association Highlights Maritime and Logistics Challenges

The Jordan Shipping Association participated actively in the conference through its Secretary-General, Capt. Mohammad Al-Dalabieh, who joined one of the panel discussions as a speaker.

During the session, Al-Dalabieh contributed to discussions concerning the maritime transport, freight forwarding and logistics sectors. The panel addressed challenges facing the industry, the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and the development of solutions to facilitate trade flows and supply chain operations.

The discussions also provided an opportunity to examine the relationship between maritime transport and the wider regional logistics sector, including the role of cooperation among industry stakeholders in addressing operational challenges.

JSA Assistant General Manager Raad Hakouz also attended the conference, representing the association alongside its Secretary-General.

The association’s participation formed part of its efforts to strengthen its presence at regional industry events, expand professional relationships and remain engaged with developments and opportunities affecting Jordan’s freight and logistics sector.

Supporting Jordan and the Port of Aqaba as Regional Logistics Hubs

Through its involvement in AWFA GATEWAY 2026, the Jordan Shipping Association emphasized its role in representing the country’s maritime sector and contributing to regional discussions on the future of transport, freight forwarding and logistics.

The association’s participation also reflected its commitment to strengthening cooperation with regional industry stakeholders and supporting initiatives that improve trade connectivity and supply chain integration.

These efforts are linked to the broader objective of reinforcing Jordan’s position within regional logistics networks and highlighting the importance of the Port of Aqaba in facilitating maritime trade and regional supply chains.

By participating in industry discussions and engaging with logistics companies from across the Arab region, the association continued its efforts to support the development of Jordan’s maritime, freight and logistics sectors.

Source: Jordan Shipping Association

Shipping Arabia, September 27, 2026 – The Port of Aqaba is taking on a larger role in regional trade as disruptions to traditional shipping routes encourage companies and importers to seek alternative supply chains, with transit container traffic through Jordan recording particularly strong growth toward Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

Aqaba is increasingly moving beyond its traditional role as Jordan’s maritime gateway for the domestic market. Its location on the Red Sea is allowing cargo arriving by sea to continue overland to other markets in the region, providing an alternative for some shipments that previously reached Iraq through Gulf ports.

Transit activity has been the main beneficiary of this shift. During the first half of 2026, transit traffic through Aqaba increased by 155% compared with the same period in 2025.

More than 60,000 TEUs of transit containers passed through Aqaba Container Terminal during the six-month period, compared with approximately 23,000 TEUs a year earlier.

Iraq-bound containers drive transit growth

The strongest change has emerged in cargo moving through Jordan toward Iraq.

Around 37,000 containers reached Iraq through Jordan in July 2026, compared with approximately 3,600 containers in July 2025. That represented an increase of nearly 900% year on year.

The shift comes as regional conflict and tensions affect established trade routes and encourage cargo owners and companies to consider alternatives that avoid areas facing greater maritime risk, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

Some cargo that previously entered Iraq through ports in the Gulf is now being redirected to Aqaba before continuing overland into the Iraqi market.

Aqaba also provides a route for cargo moving toward Syria and Lebanon, strengthening its position as a sea-to-land logistics gateway linking maritime services with markets across the Levant.

By the period from the beginning of 2026 through July, transit container traffic through Aqaba had recorded growth of around 180%, indicating that the changing regional trade environment is having a significant impact on cargo flows through the Jordanian port.

Growth extends beyond container traffic

The increase in activity is not limited to containers.

Cargo and dry bulk traffic, including grains as well as food and industrial inputs, rose by more than 40% in July, with volumes reaching approximately 666,000 tonnes.

Activity at Aqaba’s liquefied natural gas facilities also increased. Around 370,000 tonnes were received from the beginning of the year through July, representing growth of nearly 12%.

Meanwhile, volumes handled through oil and gas facilities exceeded 2 million tonnes during the first half of 2026, an increase of more than 40%.

The source attributed the increase to higher discharge volumes of crude oil and petroleum products, alongside stronger maritime movements involving fuel cargoes.

These figures show that changes in regional trade flows are affecting several parts of Aqaba’s port system rather than a single cargo segment.

Aqaba gains a wider regional logistics role

The changes are contributing to a partial redrawing of regional supply chains.

For Iraq in particular, the Aqaba route offers an alternative to cargo movements traditionally dependent on Gulf ports. Vessels can discharge cargo in southern Jordan before shipments continue by road toward the Iraqi market.

Aqaba’s role is therefore increasingly linked not only to its status as Jordan’s sole seaport but also to its ability to connect maritime cargo flows with inland markets across the region.

For shipping companies and importers, continued uncertainty around traditional maritime routes has increased the importance of route diversification and reduced reliance on corridors considered more exposed to disruption.

The rise in transit volumes through Aqaba illustrates how those decisions are translating into actual changes in cargo routing.

As risks and costs affect established trade corridors, ports capable of providing alternative connections between maritime and overland transport are gaining greater significance. In Aqaba’s case, the recent growth in transit and cargo activity is expanding the port’s role from a national maritime gateway toward a more prominent position within regional trade networks.

Source: Al Jazeera

Shipping Arabia, July 18, 2026 – Representatives of Jordan’s maritime, logistics and trade sectors have met Aqaba Container Terminal’s new management to assess the terminal’s readiness for a sharp rise in container traffic, particularly transit volumes driven by changing regional trade patterns.

The joint delegation included Jordan Shipping Association Chairman Zaid Al-Khalaldeh, Secretary-General Capt. Mohammad Al-Dalabih and association representative Munir Muammar, along with Jordan Logistics Association Chairman Nizar Saleh and Amman Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman Nabil Al-Khatib.

During the visit, the delegation met Aqaba Container Terminal’s newly appointed managing director, José Rueda, and congratulated him on assuming the role.

Discussions focused on recent developments affecting the maritime transport sector and the significant increase in containers arriving through Aqaba, with transit cargo accounting for a growing share of activity as regional conditions redirect additional trade flows through Jordan.

The two sides reviewed the terminal’s capacity to accommodate the accelerated growth and discussed operational plans and measures aimed at maintaining efficient performance as volumes increase.

Attention was given to speeding up container handling, preserving the smooth flow of vessels and cargo, and preventing operational pressure from affecting supply chains and logistics services.

Participants emphasized the importance of sustained coordination between Aqaba Container Terminal and private-sector representatives to identify emerging challenges early and develop practical operational responses.

They also highlighted the need to capitalize on the opportunities created by higher trade and transit volumes while ensuring that terminal capacity, equipment, procedures and landside cargo flows remain aligned with demand.

Closer cooperation between the terminal and maritime, logistics and commercial stakeholders was described as essential to reinforcing Aqaba’s position as a regional logistics hub serving Jordan and neighboring markets.

Source: Jordan Shipping Association

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