Aqaba Container Terminal Receives Advanced Gantry Crane, Bolsters Green Port Goals

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Aqaba, April 22 (Petra) – Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT), the gateway to Jordan and the Levant, on Tuesday announced the arrival of a state-of-the-art gantry crane valued at $13 million, designed to efficiently handle container operations between ships and the quayside.
The announcement was made during a ceremony at the port attended by Chairperson of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Nayef Hmeidi Fayez, CEO of the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), Hussein Safadi, alongside a number of dignitaries, officials, representatives of relevant authorities, and company employees.
The acquisition of the advanced crane is part of ACT's comprehensive development plan, which follows the recent extension of the partnership and concession agreement with APM Terminals. It reflects the company's continued commitment to enhancing its regional leadership and aligning with global advancements in the logistics and shipping sectors.
Fayez underlined the strength of the strategic partnership with APM Terminals, noting that the arrival of modern equipment is a reflection of the deep-rooted cooperation in the operation and management of the port. He highlighted that upgrading the port's capabilities through environmentally friendly equipment is in line with the Aqaba Port Authority's 2024–2028 strategy to establish a green port an integral component of the broader vision for a green city in Aqaba.
He added that this strategic approach seeks to reduce carbon emissions, promote the use of alternative energy in operational processes, and bolster Aqaba's competitiveness as a regional logistics hub, while reinforcing national and international climate commitments.
"The new crane represents a significant milestone in the transformation of the container port and reinforces our joint commitment to sustainable development and innovation," Fayez said. "We look forward to deepening our collaboration with APM Terminals as development efforts progress, cementing Aqaba's role in regional and global trade."
Safadi described the crane's arrival as a strategic achievement aligned with the vision to enhance Aqaba's transport and logistics ecosystem. He noted that it reflects tangible progress under the extended concession agreement with APM Terminals, which now runs through 2046, underscoring the strength of the partnership and a shared vision for the future of the port.
He stressed the Aqaba Development Corporation's dedication to integrating sustainability principles into its projects, noting that the new crane is a testament to the adoption of modern technology to reduce emissions and increase operational efficiency in line with long-term sustainable development goals.
Adnan Yaqoubi, Executive Director of Operations at ACT, said the new gantry crane represents a transformative investment, equipped with advanced technologies that expand port capacity and improve handling capabilities. It will enable the port to accommodate the world's largest container vessels, while ensuring top-tier standards of safety and efficiency.
Standing approximately 56 meters tall, the crane has a boom span of 71 meters and a lifting capacity of up to 100 tons. It features advanced automation, including ship shape scanners to avoid collisions, a container positioning system, vibration-reduction technology, and a self-diagnosing maintenance system. Operated remotely, it is supported by a comprehensive camera system, contributing to fully automated, high-precision movements.
The new crane is part of ACT's broader modernization initiative. Under the extended agreement between APM Terminals and the Aqaba Development Corporation, the terminal's annual capacity is set to increase by an additional 180,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The agreement also allows the port to receive vessels up to 400 meters in length, enhancing Aqaba's position as a strategic hub within regional and global supply chains.

MENAFN22042025000117011021ID1109459290