AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday called for accelerating expansion and development projects at Aqaba’s ports, citing their growing regional importance and role in strengthening Jordan’s trade and energy security.

 

During a meeting at the Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management, Hassan said that the ports were operating efficiently and had become a major regional gateway for several countries despite the challenges facing the region.

 

Hassan also inspected Aqaba Oil Terminal, highlighting plans to expand its capacity and upgrade its facilities over the next two years.

 

The projects are intended to strengthen energy security and consolidate Aqaba’s position as a key hub for supplying petroleum products to neighboring countries, a Prime Ministry statement said.

 

“Jordan, under its Hashemite leadership, has throughout its history been known for its ability to turn challenges into genuine opportunities. The developments and tangible achievements we are witnessing in Aqaba today are clear evidence of this, thanks to the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah and the close follow-up of HRH Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah, which have served as the driving force and motivation behind this work and these achievements,” Hassan said.

 

He praised port workers for their efforts and urged them to maintain momentum and intensify work to keep pace with rising activity and ongoing development across the port system.

 

Hassan said that the government decisions taken over the past year had helped accelerate cargo handling and customs clearance, facilitate import and export operations, expand storage capacity and strengthen transit trade.

 

“The measures had also supported supply-chain continuity, strategic reserves and infrastructure development,” he added.

 

The prime minister also highlighted the Aqaba–Shidiya–Maan railway project, for which the foundation stone was laid two weeks ago, describing it as a strategic initiative that should be accompanied by continued investment in port infrastructure and logistics services.

 

The railway, alongside improvements to storage and freight-handling facilities, is expected to enhance the movement of goods, support transit trade and strengthen Aqaba’s position as a regional transportation and logistics hub, the statement said.

 

Hassan described the Aqaba-Maan inland port project as a government priority and a strategic development initiative.

 

He also stressed the importance of maintaining the highest safety and security standards at the ports to strengthen confidence in their operations and improve their competitiveness.

 

Separately, Hassan said that a natural gas project serving industrial areas in Aqaba and Al Quweira, inaugurated by the government about three months ago, was expected to reduce operating costs for local industries, improve their competitiveness and support Jordanian exports.

 

“The project complements broader efforts to modernise Aqaba’s port infrastructure and expand its role in regional trade, Hassan said, adding that further projects were expected to be announced in the near future,” the prime minister said.