Aqaba Container Terminal to expand

The Port’s 2009-2013 action plan calls for capital expenditure of US$235m, bringing total investment since 2006 to US$335m. The 50 hectare (124 acre) facility will double its wharf length to 1,000 m with an alongside depth of 17 m. Two super post-Panamax cranes, each capable of 18 container outreach are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2010, with additional units added as container volumes increase.

ACT, which is part of the APM Terminals global terminal network, is the Kingdom of Jordan’s primary access to the international shipping lanes of the Red Sea and beyond. Despite the severe drop-offs in container traffic worldwide due to the global financial crisis, ACT saw container traffic grow by 25% during the first three quarters of this year. In 2008, container volume at the port surged by 42% to approximately 600,000 teu.

During this past year, port investments have included STS cranes, six RTGs, 100 additional refrigerated plugs and the upgrading of the existing port facilities.