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With an increasing number of logistics companies based in Aqaba, Jordan is promoting itself as an alternative to other regional trading hubs and setting its eyes on serving Syria, Iraq, and the wider region.

Steven Yoogalingam

CEO, Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT)

ACT is a joint venture between the Jordanian government and APM Terminals. APM Terminals operates 74 terminals around the world, which is why we have been able to attract the world’s largest shipping lines to Aqaba Port. The award we won in 2018 from Lloyds List was important, because it puts Aqaba on the map. In a region where the big trading hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi tend to get a great deal of attention, it is important for Jordan to promote its Aqaba gateway, as it is a competitive alternative to serve Iraq and Syria. We are a supply-driven entity; therefore, it is important to always be ahead of demand, because our lead time to build is two years, and shipping lines do not give us a great deal of notice when they want to bring in cargo. We currently have a capacity of 1.2 million TEUs per year, and we can quickly increase that capacity by adding an extra truck lane at our in-gate or buying more cranes when needed. In the longer term, our master plan also includes a possible further extension of the berth by another 200m.

Rakan Madi

Managing Director Jordan & Iraq, Maersk

Jordan is an important market for us. We believe that the strategic location of Jordan acts as a gateway to the Levant and Iraq, and the trade agreements between Jordan and other countries, for example the US and Europe, give Jordan an important focus. As a global integrator of container logistics, we have solutions that offer both small and large businesses the opportunity to grow. Our vast network connects Jordan and covers over 300 ports in more than 120 countries. We serve our customers with frequent departures on all major trade lanes and inland services for a true end-to-end experience. Our focus is serving customers and delivering their cargo from door to door with minimal cost and hassle. Our vessels carry around 25% of the country’s total imports and exports. We are at the forefront of developing innovative supply chain solutions, fusing our global network and depth of expertise with pioneering digital innovations to give our customers a competitive edge. Customers can also enjoy instant booking confirmation, as well as an online booking via the Maersk App.

Hakam Abul Feilat

General Manager, Hakam Abul Feilat

We are part of a global company called APM Terminals, which provides great value with its expertise and scale. What separates us from the competition is our prime location, which is just 500m away from the container terminal. Another differentiator is the quality, variety, and mix of product services that we offer, as we handle all types of storage: open yard, closed, ground, stocking, rented spaces, and value-added services. Furthermore, we have exclusive rights to handle the less-than-container-load business, which is a group of shipments for various customers in one container. The initiative for the logistics center is a two-year initiative that started only in January. A great deal is happening right now, and there are several studies focusing on how the logistics sector can be a driver of economic growth and how we can accelerate the processes. There are many stakeholders, so we seek to be an important player in the logistics sector by being a part of many organizations and workshops, as many bodies are studying the Jordanian logistics market.

Sherif Kamal

CEO, National Real Estate Company Jordan (NREC)

NREC was established in 2006 with a total capital of USD27 million, with National Real Estate Company in Kuwait holding a 70% share and Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) holding 30%. We started with the South Project, which is in the logistics park. At present, the park hosts around 80,000sqm of warehousing and light industry buildings. We have around 700,000sqm of open land, and we also offer offices for companies that require office space. We have several international companies, including one tobacco company that has 25,000sqm of warehousing and factories. It is one of the biggest companies in the world and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. We also have clients from the UAE, India, and Russia. In 2019, we seek to make up for what we lost in 2018. We are trying hard to open many new markets and working on the North Project, which is 2km away from the airport. The land there is different and intended more for mixed use, rather than industrial and real estate development.

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