Ammon News - The Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) reported a notable 15.7% increase in container imports during November 2024, compared to the same month last year, indicating a positive trend despite ongoing global shipping disruptions, according to data from the Jordanian Logistics Association (JLA).

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), President of the JLA Nabil Khatib indicated that the port handled 42,562 containers in November this year, up from 36,790 in November 2023.

He emphasized that this growth is a positive sign, suggesting that container volumes at Aqaba will likely stabilize by year-end, despite ongoing challenges in maritime operations in the Red Sea region.

However, the increase in imports was offset by a 20% drop in exports for the same period, with 10,037 containers exported in November 2024, compared to 12,545 in the previous year.

Over the first 11 months of 2024, total container imports at Aqaba saw a decline of 6.54%, reaching 386,857 containers, compared to 413,907 in the same period of 2023. Similarly, exports dropped by 13.8%, with 98,594 containers shipped out of Jordan, down from 114,475 in the previous year.

Khatib attributed these declines to the broader disruptions in global shipping, particularly in the Red Sea corridor.

Despite these challenges, Khatib highlighted a recent improvement in both import and export volumes at Aqaba, especially in comparison to the beginning of the year, and expressed optimism that this positive trend would continue through the remainder of 2024.

In addition, Khatib, who is also the First Vice Chairman of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, noted that shipping rates remain elevated, reflecting the ongoing impact of the Red Sea shipping crisis. Many major international shipping lines have adjusted their routes to avoid the region, opting for the Cape of Good Hope.

The Jordanian Logistics Association, established in 2007, plays a vital role in representing the interests of the logistics and shipping sectors in Jordan, advocating for competitive practices, and supporting freight forwarders and logistics service providers.

The association also serves as the Jordanian representative of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), a non-governmental organization founded in 1926 in Switzerland.