Jordan's Cabinet approved a package of measures on Wednesday to address operational challenges facing the country's port system and supply chains, with the aim of securing a steady flow of essential goods.
اضافة اعلان
The session was chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan. Among the decisions, the Cabinet extended the grace period for Jordanian exports at Aqaba Container Port from seven days to 14 days, effective immediately, for a period of six months.
The Cabinet also reduced the fee charged for goods destruction from 450 dinars per tonne, or part thereof, to 50 dinars per tonne, or part thereof. The reduction, coordinated with the Ministry of Finance, takes effect immediately and will apply for three months, subject to conditions set by the Cabinet.
Wednesday's decisions build on steps the government had already taken to expand capacity and improve flexibility. Those earlier measures included expanding storage yards and logistics centres, developing supporting infrastructure, and establishing alternative transport corridors - including multimodal sea-and-road routes - to ensure resilience and speed. They also included accelerating customs clearance procedures, reducing cargo dwell times, transferring part of customs processing to Amman Customs, and exempting transit trips on border crossings from the applicable trip quota for three months.
Further measures approved on Wednesday allow container trucks to make up to nine trips per day, and permit technically equipped trucks that meet general safety requirements to carry two 20-foot containers simultaneously. Priority handling, clearance and exit will be granted to domestic foodstuffs, imports destined for the local market, and Jordanian exports.
The Cabinet said the decisions form part of broader government efforts to strengthen Aqaba port's readiness and the wider transport and logistics network in the face of regional conditions affecting shipping and supply chains. The stated goals include accelerating clearance and handling, increasing capacity, providing alternative supply routes, and supporting Jordanian exports - all to maintain the flow of goods into the country and limit delay costs for consumers and economic sectors.
The government said all the measures serve the direct interests of citizens and the national economy by maintaining a regular flow of goods to markets, cutting waiting times, and reducing additional costs caused by delays, while supporting Jordanian exports and trade.
Earlier government action has already produced measurable results, according to the Cabinet. The average dwell time for transit containers at the port has fallen from around 15 days to approximately 12 days, while the average dwell time for incoming domestic containers stands at approximately eight days. Daily container exit gate capacity has risen from around 900 to 1,200 containers, helping to ease pressure on the port and deliver goods - particularly food - to local markets more quickly and reliably.
This article was originally written in Arabic by Al Ghad for Al Ghad. It was translated into English with AI assistance and edited by Jordan News.
