Aqaba Port Sees 'More' Traffic Due To Demand In Neighbouring Regional Markets

(MENAFN- Jordan Times) AMMAN - The Jordan Shipping Association (JSA) stated on Thursday that Aqaba ports witnessed significant growth in May this year, which is reflecting 'recovery' in maritime transport sector.

The Jordanian maritime transport sector increased effectiveness in supporting regional and international trade through the Port of Aqaba, according to the JSA's monthly report.

President of the JSA Zaid Kalaldeh stressed that the "significant" increase in transit traffic is due to increased demand for goods arriving in the Syrian market via the port of Aqaba, in addition to the "significant" growth in vehicle traffic, which reflects growing demand in neighbouring regional markets.

Kalaldeh said that the number of container ships coming to Jordan increased by 54.3. per cent, reaching 250 ships until the end of May compared with 162 ships for the same period of last year as well as container handling which increased by 26.1 per cent, reaching 387,891 containers compared to 307,697 last year.

The president noted that the inbound full containers increased by 22 per cent to 194,859 containers, compared with 159,735 containers, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

For outbound full containers, they recorded a growth of 9.6 per cent, reaching 43,164 containers compared to 39,392 containers.

Additionally, transit containers surged by 127.7 per cent, with 17,654 passing containers, compared to 7,754 containers during the same period last year. This increase is attributed to the rise in goods transported to Syria via Aqaba.

Jordan's phosphate exports dropped by 9.1 per cent, amounting to 2,575,322 tonnes until the end of May 2025 and potash also saw a slight decline of 3.4 per cent, reaching 958,055 tons, according to the report.

Imports of iron material into the kingdom rose by 48 per cent, reaching 277,077 tonnes compared to 187,253 tons in 2024.

A "significant" increase was observed in vehicle movement, with the import and export of cars through Aqaba Port growing notably by 81.8 per cent, totalling 35,277 vehicles until the end of May 2025.

This rise is attributed to the increasing demand from the Syrian market for the port after a long interruption due to the repercussions of the Syrian crisis.

There was also a recovery in passenger and cruise tourism, with passenger movement through Aqaba Port increasing by 34.5 per cent, reaching 136,649 both ways.

The cruise ship activity also saw a notable return, with 13,130 tourists arriving by sea, compared with only 529 tourists during the same period in 2024 - a record increase of 2,382 per cent. This growth is attributed to Aqaba being added as a cruise stop for the "Arvia" ship along the Red Sea shores.

The increase in passenger numbers in recent months is also linked to the entry of a new ship into the fleet of the Arab Bridge Maritime Company, along with rising operational and commercial activities of the company, which contributed to expanding capacity and improving services for travellers.

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