The President of the Customs Clearance and Freight Transport Companies Association, Dr. Dhaifallah Abu Aqaouleh, confirmed that operations at Aqaba Port are currently proceeding normally.
اضافة اعلان
He noted that the continuation of the current regional conditions would lead to higher shipping costs and energy prices, negatively impacting various economic sectors and increasing the cost of goods and services.
In a statement on Monday, he indicated that pressure on land transport chains and clearance companies may increase if the situation continues, stressing the importance of cooperation and partnership between the public and private sectors to ensure the continuous flow of goods into the Kingdom.
He emphasized the need to form a supply chain monitoring committee comprising representatives from both sectors to regularly assess risks, develop contingency plans to address any disruptions in supply chains, and ensure a swift and flexible response to changes in the global market.
He also called for strengthening cooperation between Jordan, Syria, and Gulf Arab states, removing obstacles hindering the flow of supply chains, allowing containers to pass through land routes without barriers, and reducing fees on Jordanian trucks to ensure faster, more efficient regional transport and lower costs.
He stressed that enhancing cooperation in transport and trade between Jordan, Syria, and Gulf countries would help stabilize regional supply chains, noting that Jordan and Syria’s strategic location forms a vital bridge connecting the movement of goods between Mediterranean and Red Sea ports.
He pointed out that regional conditions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are also affecting Jordanian exports and local industries, as companies face rising shipping costs and potential delays in receiving goods and raw materials needed for industrial production.
He added that there are concerns about delays in the arrival of raw materials and essential goods, which could increase production costs and affect local market prices. He affirmed that Jordan is working to develop alternative routes for exports and imports to ensure the continuity of trade and industrial flows at the lowest possible cost and shortest time.
These alternatives include overland transport through Syria and Lebanon to Mediterranean ports for exporting goods and reaching European and global markets more quickly, as well as maritime links via Aqaba Port and the Red Sea, while strengthening transport lines to Gulf Cooperation Council ports to reduce time and costs, lower customs fees on Jordanian trucks, and facilitate clearance procedures.
Dr. Abu Aqaouleh noted that these alternatives would help protect the competitiveness of Jordanian exports, support local industries, and reduce reliance on traditional sea routes that may be affected by regional crises.
He said, “If the Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz straits are closed, the impact on Jordan will be much greater, as supply chains will be severely affected, and access to essential raw materials will become more difficult, increasing production costs.”
He added that Jordanian exports would face additional challenges due to the suspension of oil and cargo tanker traffic through the Red Sea, increasing the need to use alternative land routes via Syria and Turkey to reach the Mediterranean, or to rely on Egyptian ports, despite higher transportation costs and longer transit times.
He explained that international shipping reports indicate that the distance from Shanghai to ports has increased from 6,100 nautical miles to 9,500 nautical miles, delaying vessel arrivals by 10 to 13 days.
He also noted that routes from Jebel Ali (UAE) have experienced the highest delays, with travel time increasing from 6–8 days to 20–24 days, due to an additional distance of 4,800 nautical miles.
He said that current regional conditions have led shipping lines to impose additional fees under various names to address geopolitical risks, including a mandatory vessel rerouting fee ranging from $700 to $800.
Emergency fees have reached up to $3,500, war risk charges range between $1,500 and $3,500, and conflict emergency fees range from $2,000 to $4,000.
He also noted an emergency fuel surcharge that has added varying costs depending on shipping routes, directly impacting import and export expenses.
Dr. Abu Aqaouleh stressed the importance of strengthening the Kingdom’s strategic stockpile of raw materials, developing logistics contingency plans, and enhancing regional cooperation to ensure the continued flow of goods and minimize the impact on the national economy.
He concluded that Jordan is capable of turning challenges into opportunities and strengthening its role as a regional logistics hub, ensuring the continued movement of goods and supporting local industries.
(Petra)
