Ammon News - The Association of Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies (AOCTC) has demanded the extension of circular No. (53) setting a ceiling for transport costs of imported goods to Jordan until the end of 2022 to face any hikes in maritime freight costs.

Prime Minister Dr. Bisher Khasawneh issued Circular No. (53) for 2022, according to which Defense Order No. (31) for 2021 sets the upper ceiling for the costs on imported goods into the Kingdom to 3/31/2022.

The decision aimed to ensure availability of basic commodities, maintain strategic food stockpile, and price stability.

In a statement on Sunday, the AOCTC head, Daifallah Abu Aqoula, said the measures taken by the government, particulary Circular No. 53, which stated that the high freight value was not approved, contributed "positively" to the smooth movement of goods at the lowest costs.

The increase in global oil prices as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis contributed significantly to the shipping costs hikes, which are reflected in the prices of imported goods, he pointed out.

Crisis continuity will affect the hike in prices of basic goods, and if alternative markets are explored, most countries will be looking for the same solutions, which would increase commodity prices, according to Abu Aqoula.

Locally, he said the gov't's move to revamp the customs tariff had a positive impact on curbing significant increases in goods prices from the exporting countries and the shipping cost, he noted.