The Aqaba ports and logistics system is moving to strengthen its operational capacity and improve the efficiency of cargo handling through a comprehensive package of government and operational measures aimed at addressing bottlenecks across supply chains, reducing cargo and container dwell times, organizing truck movements and increasing the capacity of logistics yards and facilities.
اضافة اعلان
The measures are part of a package proposed by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and approved by the government to facilitate transit cargo flows, maintain the efficiency of supply chains in Jordan, improve trade flows and support national food security.
They also follow a recent Cabinet decision approving measures to strengthen the operational capacity of the country's ports and supply chains, building on steps previously undertaken by the government, ASEZA, the Aqaba Development Corporation, the Jordan Customs Department, relevant government agencies and port operators.
Mohammad Abu Omar, ASEZA's commissioner for economic affairs and investment, said the new measures form part of an integrated system designed to address operational challenges and enhance the readiness of ports and logistics services, rather than resolving bottlenecks at a single point.
Among the key measures approved by the Cabinet is an extension of the grace period for national exports at the ports from seven to 14 days for six months from the date of the decision. The move is intended to give exporters more time to complete procedures and reduce storage and delay-related costs.
The measures also reduce the fee for the disposal of goods from JD 500 to JD 50 per ton, or part thereof, for three months under conditions set by the Cabinet. This effectively reduces the amount payable by JD 450 per ton and aims to encourage stakeholders to address accumulated cargo, accelerate the clearance of storage yards and make better use of available capacity.
The package also includes speeding up customs clearance procedures, reducing cargo dwell times, organizing truck movements, improving yard efficiency and expanding the capacity of ports and logistics centers.
Measures to Speed Up Customs Clearance
Abu Omar said efforts have been made to conduct customs inspections at the arrival center whenever possible, while transferring part of the inspection procedures for refrigerated containers to Customs Yard No. 4.
Some customs clearance procedures for cargo are also being completed at the Amman Customs Center in Al-Madouna, while targeting rates have been reviewed with greater reliance on risk-management methods.
The approach seeks to balance faster processing with maintaining regulatory requirements.
Work is also underway to ensure continuity of operations and complete customs procedures at maximum capacity, including operating on holidays when necessary.
More Truck Trips and Shorter Waiting Times
At the truck-transport level, ASEZA has introduced measures aimed directly at reducing truck turnaround times and increasing operating capacity.
The measures include raising the maximum number of monthly trips permitted for container trucks from eight to nine, while reducing the required interval between loads from 48 hours to 30 hours.
The validity period of permits under the project regulating truck entry and exit has also been reduced from eight hours to six hours, with the aim of ensuring truck availability for ready cargo.
Transit trips operating through border crossings have been excluded from the applicable trip limit for three months.
Technically equipped trucks that meet public safety requirements have also been allowed to carry two 20-foot containers per truck, improving fleet utilization and increasing the capacity to move containers out of the port.
Additional Container Storage Capacity
To expand yard capacity, an additional 150 dunums have been allocated for storing empty containers across several locations.
These include 70 dunums at Yard No. 10, 20 dunums allocated to CTL, and another 60 dunums at other locations designated for the same purpose.
Additional space is also being prepared at the multipurpose port to receive and store vehicles, providing additional storage capacity for up to 6,000 vehicles, alongside plans to open further yards.
Yard No. 4 is also being expanded, while arrangements are being made to address the situation of its bonded and hazardous-goods warehouse.
Abu Omar said the measures are collectively intended to distribute pressure across different parts of the logistics system, making the system as a whole more capable of handling, processing and moving cargo.
Transit Container Dwell Time Falls
Abu Omar said the measures have already begun producing tangible operational results.
The average dwell time for transit containers has fallen from around 14–15 days to approximately 12 days, while the average dwell time for containers destined for the local market has remained at around eight days.
The daily capacity of container exit gates has also increased from 900 to 1,200 containers.
He said the indicators reflect improved capacity to handle cargo and truck movements, while the new Cabinet-approved measures are intended to reinforce this progress, particularly by supporting national exports, freeing additional logistics-yard space and encouraging the processing of accumulated cargo.
Unclaimed Containers
Regarding unclaimed containers and goods, Abu Omar said Article 27 of the Customs Regulations in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone is being applied to unclaimed goods in accordance with established legal procedures and in coordination with Jordan Customs, relevant government authorities and port operators.
A unified mechanism has been agreed to identify containers for which no customs declaration or document has been submitted within the legally prescribed periods—21 days for local imports and five days for transit cargo.
Cases subject to seizure or judicial or administrative procedures are excluded.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 containers are currently being transferred to yards operated by ASEZA's Storage and Logistics Services Directorate, which covers 280 dunums.
The transfers are being carried out in accordance with legal procedures at the expense and under the responsibility of the carrier or its agent, helping free up space within the port system and return it to operational use.
Support for Refrigerated Containers
The authority has also strengthened its capacity to handle refrigerated containers by adding 120 electrical connections inside the port and addressing shortages in refrigerated transport trucks.
Priority is also being given to the handling, clearance and movement of national and imported food supplies destined for the local market, as well as national exports.
Abu Omar said a large portion of the measures is already in force, while related operational procedures and infrastructure work are being completed according to specific implementation plans.
He added that the authority and its partners are continuing other operational measures in parallel, including expanding yards, transferring unclaimed containers in accordance with the law and increasing capacity for refrigerated containers.
Daily monitoring of port, yard and truck performance is also continuing.
Regular coordination meetings between the government, ASEZA, the Aqaba Development Corporation, Jordan Customs, relevant government authorities and port operators will continue to monitor implementation, measure results and make corrective adjustments when necessary.
Source: Petra
