Jordan’s new cruise terminal – gateway to the Red Sea

AD Ports Group has signed a heads of terms agreement with the Aqaba Development Corporation that will see AD Ports Group establish a state-of-the-art cruise terminal at Marsa Zayed in Aqaba.

It will be the first facility to be developed by AD Ports Group in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the company’s first cruise facility outside of the United Arab Emirates.

The new terminal will serve as a gateway in the Port of Aqaba that will receive cruise ships’ passengers visiting the Red Sea, in addition to serving as a major attraction for the residents of Aqaba with a wide range of tourism, commercial, and entertainment services.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, group CEO, AD Ports Group, says: “We are pleased and proud to sign this strategic agreement with the Aqaba Development Corporation. The creation and operation of a new cruise terminal at Marsa Zayed will be a milestone for Jordan’s fast-growing cruise and tourism sector and is the first of many enhancement projects that we have planned.”

A further heads of terms agreement was also signed, stating that AD Ports Group, through Maqta Gateway, will manage the implementation of an advanced Ports Community System (PCS), which will oversee communication between Aqaba ports and terminals operators, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Aqaba Development Corporation, Jordan Maritime Commission, customs, support services and on-land connections for the Port of Aqaba.

“In addition, as part of our continued commitment to support the growth of Jordan’s maritime industry, AD Ports Group, through its digital arm, Maqta Gateway, is leveraging its digital expertise to implement a robust Port Community System at the Aqaba ports ecosystem that will accelerate the exchange of goods and elevate commerce to new heights,” Juma Al Shamisi says.

AD Ports Group will also work closely with the Aqaba Development Corporation to deploy the digital system to expand the technical capacity and capabilities of Aqaba ports.

The agreement was signed during a visit by a senior delegation from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan headed by Eng. Nayef Ahmad Bakheet Altheeb, chief commissioner, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority to Abu Dhabi and is the first of a series of strategic partnerships with AD Ports Group.

Hussein Alsafadi, CEO, Aqaba Development Corporation says: “We are pleased to be joining forces with AD Ports Group with this agreement which falls in line with the wider cooperation between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Through their ambitious development of ports in Abu Dhabi and around the world, they have demonstrated their ambition and ability to evolve and drive growth in the maritime sector.

“Developing the cruise terminal in Aqaba will significantly support the growth of the tourism sector in the Kingdom, which will expand of the scope of onsite facilities and services.”