Ammon News - Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan on Sunday inspected operations across the Aqaba port system.

During a meeting he chaired at the Aqaba Company for Ports Management and Operation, Hassan stressed the need to accelerate port expansion and development projects, noting that the ports are operating at high efficiency and have become a major regional gateway for several neighboring countries despite the circumstances and challenges facing the region.

Hassan also inspected the oil port in Aqaba, emphasizing the importance of development and expansion projects and efforts to increase its capacity, which are scheduled for completion over the next two years. These projects aim to strengthen energy supply security and consolidate Aqaba’s position as a key destination for supplying petroleum products to several neighboring countries.

The prime minister said Jordan, under its Hashemite leadership, has throughout its history been known for its ability to turn challenges into genuine opportunities. He added that the developments and tangible achievements witnessed in Aqaba today are clear evidence of this ability, thanks to the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II and the close follow-up of Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, which have driven and encouraged progress and achievement.

Hassan praised the efforts of those working across Aqaba’s ports, stressing the need to maintain the same pace and momentum and intensify efforts in the coming period to keep up with the port system’s development and growing workload.

He noted that the government took important decisions over the past year to keep pace with the rapid growth and development of port operations.
These decisions have significantly accelerated cargo handling and customs clearance procedures, boosted transit trade, facilitated procedures for importers and exporters, increased the storage capacity of port yards, supported the sustainability of supply chains and strategic reserves, and improved infrastructure, among other measures.

Hassan explained that the foundation stone for the Aqaba–Shidiya–Ma'an railway project was laid two weeks ago. He stressed that infrastructure at the ports and logistics services must continue to be developed alongside the implementation of this strategic project to improve the efficiency of freight movement, storage and transit trade, and strengthen Aqaba’s position on the region’s transport and logistics map.

He described the Aqaba–Ma'an inland port project as a strategic development initiative and a government priority.

The prime minister also stressed the need to adhere to the highest safety and security standards at the ports to strengthen confidence in Jordan’s ports and enhance their competitiveness.

Hassan said the project to supply natural gas to industrial clusters in Aqaba and Quweira, which the government inaugurated approximately three months ago, would reduce costs for national industries, enhance their competitiveness and support Jordanian exports. He added that the project would complement the development of the port system, expressing hope that new projects would be launched there soon.