AD Ports Group today signed a 30-year concession agreement with Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) to manage and operate Aqaba Multipurpose Port, Jordan’s only general cargo and multipurpose seaport, strengthening the Group’s investment in the coastal city’s logistics infrastructure.
The agreement creates a joint venture to manage and operate the port, with AD Ports Group holding 70% of the ownership and Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) the remaining 30%.
Under the terms of the agreement, AD Ports Group will invest a total of AED 141 million (US$38.4 million) in the joint venture and will bring extensive expertise in port development and operations to the transaction. The Group plans to officially begin operating the port in August this year.
The signing ceremony was held at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) headquarters in Aqaba, in the presence of Counselor Hamad Al Matrooshi, Chargé d’Affaires of the UAE Embassy in Amman. Shadi Majali, Director General, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority; Captain Mohammed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group;
The agreement was signed by Hussein Safadi, CEO of Aqaba Development Company. Ahmed Al Mutawa, Regional Chief Executive Officer of AD Ports Group, said:
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “Today’s signing is a strong and lasting link between our two countries, including the development initiatives undertaken by AD Ports Group in Aqaba City. This is in line with our wise leadership’s direction to strengthen our cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and support the Kingdom’s vision to transform the port of Aqaba into a leading commercial gateway for the Red Sea region.”
He added: “This agreement further strengthens AD Ports Group by driving long-term and transformative economic impact in the region and supporting the aspirations of our Jordanian partners to further grow our business. We would like to thank AD Ports Group for trusting us as a strategic partner to drive growth and contribute to the development of the economic ecosystem. We look forward to further strengthening our long-term partnership based on common interests and cooperation to achieve mutual benefits.”
Shadi Majali, Principal Secretary of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), commented: “This strategic partnership marks an important milestone in advancing Aqaba’s role as a competitive integrated economic zone. The development of the Aqaba Multipurpose Port in collaboration with AD Ports Group strengthens ASEZA’s mission to create efficient trade, high-value logistics services, and an enabling regulatory and investment environment that supports sustainable economic growth.”
“This project enhances Aqaba’s attractiveness as a regional logistics, industrial and tourism hub, and strengthens its links with regional and international markets. It also reflects the effectiveness of close collaboration between national institutions, the private sector and international partners in implementing innovative projects that create jobs, stimulate investment and contribute to long-term economic resilience.”
“ASEZA remains committed to facilitating this project through streamlined procedures, investor-friendly policies and continued support to ensure that Aqaba continues to serve as a strategic gateway for Jordan and the wider region.”
Hussein Safadi, CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation, said: “We look forward to working with AD Ports Group, ADC’s strategic partner, to further develop and position Aqaba Multipurpose Port as a central hub for trade and transportation in the Upper Red Sea region. Leveraging AD Ports Group’s expertise, global connectivity, digital trade solutions and growing regional port and maritime network, Aqaba will continue to rapidly evolve into a world-class logistics and trade hub that creates a sustainable economy.” This partnership will strengthen Aqaba’s ecosystem across logistics, tourism and port services and we welcome this important step with AD Ports Group.
“We believe this partnership will play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable economic growth for Aqaba and the Kingdom as a whole, and we are pleased to welcome this important milestone with AD Ports Group as we move together towards realizing a world-class logistics and trade hub.”
Located at the crossroads of three continents, the Port of Aqaba is Jordan’s main gateway for foreign trade, handling approximately 80 percent of the country’s exports and 65 percent of its imports. Aqaba is also an important transit point for trade with Jordan’s neighbors such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Aqaba Multi-Purpose Port handles a wide variety of cargo, including general cargo, grain, livestock, Ro-Ro, and project cargo. The port has an annual throughput of 11 million tonnes, supported by nine berths, a quay length of 2 km and a draft of 13.5 meters. In 2025, the terminal handled more than 5.3 million tons of cargo and approximately 85,000 car equivalent units (CEUs) of Ro-Ro imports.
