Shipping Arabia, September 30, 2026 – Aqaba maritime excellence is increasingly being measured through practical improvements in port infrastructure, cargo handling, maritime safety, digitalization and logistics integration as Jordan seeks to strengthen its only maritime gateway and expand its role in regional transit trade.
World Maritime Day highlights how international maritime conventions, standards and policies translate into operational results at sea and across port terminals. This year’s theme, which for the first time extends across 2026 and 2027, is “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”
For Aqaba, the theme carries particular significance because the city serves as Jordan’s sole maritime outlet on the Red Sea and a gateway for national trade, while also supporting transit flows to regional markets.
Maritime excellence in Aqaba therefore depends not only on international compliance, but also on effective inspections, tested emergency plans, safe pilotage and towage, efficient vessel and cargo handling, smooth truck movements and stronger connections between ports, logistics zones and transport networks.
Aqaba Maritime Excellence Built on Port and Logistics Capacity
Shadi Ramzi Al-Majali, Chairman of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, said World Maritime Day provides an opportunity to reaffirm Aqaba’s strategic role as Jordan’s maritime gateway and an integrated logistics platform serving national trade and regional transit flows.
He said the 2026-2027 theme reflects the Authority’s approach of converting plans and regulations into tangible outcomes for investors and port users through more efficient services, more flexible procedures and an investment environment capable of supporting sustainable employment.
According to Al-Majali, Aqaba has developed an integrated network of specialized ports, logistics areas and supporting marine services. The port system comprises 12 specialized terminals and 32 operational berths covering a broad range of cargo and maritime activities.
These facilities handle containers, oil and gas, liquefied natural gas, phosphates, fertilizers, sulfur, ammonia, grain, livestock and general cargo. Aqaba also has a dedicated passenger and tourism terminal, while the new port alone contains nine multipurpose berths.
Al-Majali said this range of terminals and berths gives Aqaba advanced operational and logistics capabilities and strengthens its readiness to accommodate different ship types and cargoes. It also supports the requirements of trade, industry and energy while reinforcing Aqaba’s position as a safe and reliable corridor for regional commerce.
He added that coordination among port stakeholders has helped Aqaba maintain the continuity of supply chains despite regional challenges.
Transit Growth Creates New Logistics Opportunity
The expansion of transit traffic represents a strategic opportunity for Aqaba to strengthen its position on the regional maritime and logistics map, Al-Majali said.
However, he stressed that capturing this opportunity requires continued investment in infrastructure, faster procedures and better connections between ports, logistics zones and transport networks.
These measures are intended to reduce time and cost while improving the competitiveness of services offered to investors, shipping lines and other port users.
The wider maritime system also places increasing importance on faster transaction processing, lower waiting times for vessels and cargo, and more efficient data exchange between relevant entities. These factors are central to strengthening confidence among carriers, importers and exporters using Aqaba.
Al-Majali also said environmental protection must remain a fundamental consideration in every development or expansion project in Aqaba. Maritime excellence, he noted, should be judged not only by cargo volumes or vessel numbers, but also by the ability to combine economic growth, operational efficiency, navigational safety and environmental sustainability.
He emphasized the importance of protecting the distinctive marine environment of the Gulf of Aqaba while maintaining the city’s role as a maritime and logistics gateway for Jordan and the wider region.
Port Operations Focus on Berths, Equipment and Cargo Flow
Mahmoud Khalifat, General Manager of Aqaba Ports Management and Operation Company, said World Maritime Day also recognizes the employees working across berths, yards and operations rooms to maintain cargo flows around the clock.
He said the 2026-2027 theme directly reflects the nature of port operations because standards and plans achieve their purpose only when they become daily procedures followed by employees, supervisors and management.
According to Khalifat, the company has strengthened the readiness of berths, equipment and yards. It has also improved cargo-handling arrangements, truck movements, safety procedures and coordination with partner institutions.
These measures have given port operations greater flexibility in managing higher workloads and changes affecting supply chains.
Khalifat said the continued growth of transit traffic represents an important opportunity for Aqaba. He added that continuous training, occupational safety and the modernization of operating methods remain among the company’s leading priorities as Jordanian personnel prepare to manage the next phase of port activity.
Jordan Maritime Commission Strengthens Safety and Regulation
Ahmad Al-Assasleh, Director General of the Jordan Maritime Commission, said World Maritime Day reinforces Jordan’s commitment to international maritime conventions and standards, navigational safety, maritime security and protection of the marine environment.
He said these responsibilities support the reliability of Aqaba’s ports and their role in serving national trade and regional transit movements.
Al-Assasleh said the theme of moving from policy to practice reflects the Commission’s role in converting international commitments into operational measures. These include ship inspections, regulation of navigation, verification of safety requirements and preparedness for maritime emergencies.
The Commission is also continuing to review and update maritime legislation and instructions while developing regulatory, technical and digital services in line with international best practices.
According to Al-Assasleh, these measures aim to improve performance and accelerate transactions without compromising maritime safety and security, particularly as vessel, cargo and transit activity through Aqaba increases.
The Commission’s responsibilities also extend to Jordanian seafarers working aboard vessels around the world. It verifies their qualifications, documentation and certificates, follows their professional conditions and contributes to protecting their rights.
Al-Assasleh said investment in the training and qualification of Jordanian seafarers supports their presence in the international maritime labor market. The Commission is also continuing to strengthen emergency preparedness and reduce pollution risks to protect the Gulf of Aqaba.
Aqaba Container Terminal Advances Operational and Digital Systems
José Rueda, General Manager of Aqaba Container Terminal, said World Maritime Day highlights the terminal’s responsibility at the center of Jordan’s national supply chain and recognizes employees who maintain the flow of containers through the facility.
He said the terminal translates development plans into practical improvements in equipment performance, yard management, vessel services and data exchange with partners.
Development of operational and digital systems, together with improved management of equipment and resources, has strengthened the terminal’s operational flexibility and its ability to respond to changes in vessel schedules and demand volumes.
Rueda said operating teams have also demonstrated their ability to maintain service continuity under exceptional conditions, reflecting the accumulated experience of Jordanian personnel.
Marine Services Strengthen Pilotage, Towage and Emergency Response
Frederik Rutgers, General Manager of Aqaba Port Marine Services Company, said maritime excellence also begins before a vessel reaches the berth.
He highlighted the role of marine pilots, tug crews, engineers and operations-room personnel in applying safety standards from the moment a vessel approaches Jordanian waters until it berths and later departs safely.
Rutgers said the company has strengthened its capabilities in pilotage, towage, mooring, maneuvering and emergency response since its establishment. It has also improved coordination with ports and specialized maritime authorities.
Training and joint exercises have increased the ability of operational teams to respond to fires, pollution incidents and other potential emergencies, helping protect people, infrastructure and the marine environment.
As vessel numbers grow and ship sizes become more diverse, Rutgers said the efficiency of tugs and pilots and the speed of operational response become increasingly important in reducing waiting times without compromising safety.
He added that the company will continue investing in training Jordanian maritime personnel and in technologies that support accurate and efficient marine operations.
Across Aqaba’s maritime sector, the move from policy to practice is being reflected in inspections, training, operational readiness, port equipment, digital systems and daily safety procedures. The continued development of infrastructure, technology and human capital remains central to strengthening Aqaba’s role as a safe, efficient and competitive maritime gateway.
Source: Al Ghad
