AQABA — Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT), Jordan’s gateway to global markets and the Levant region, delivered strong operational performance during the first half of 2026, driven by operational excellence, commercial growth, a firm commitment to the highest health and safety standards, and continued investment in sustainability and community development.
According to a company statement issued on Saturday, the terminal handled a total of 472,680 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) during the first six months of the year, compared with 468,062 TEUs during the same period in 2025.
Transit (transshipment) cargo recorded particularly strong growth, reaching 36,412 TEUs, a 177% increase from 13,143 TEUs in the first half of 2025. The company attributed the performance to consistently high productivity across terminal operations despite ongoing changes in regional trade flows.
ACT also recorded 188,927 truck gate movements during the first half of the year, up from 182,490 movements in the corresponding period of 2025, reflecting the continued efficiency of cargo movement throughout the supply chain.
The company said investments made over the past year contributed significantly to these results, including quay infrastructure rehabilitation and the introduction of new state-of-the-art ship-to-shore gantry cranes. These upgrades enabled the terminal to maintain high productivity despite geopolitical challenges affecting vessel schedules and increasing variations in vessel sizes.
Highlighting its growing role as a regional logistics gateway, ACT handled eight vessels, each exceeding 5,000 TEUs, including one vessel with 10,884 TEUs, marking the highest container volume ever handled from a single vessel at the terminal.
The terminal also welcomed the Kota Odyssey, an LNG-powered vessel operated by Pacific International Lines (PIL), on its maiden call to Jordan.
ACT further strengthened its position as a regional transshipment hub by handling 4,412 transshipment TEUs, responding to rapidly evolving regional trade patterns.
Commercially, the company maintained strong customer confidence, recording a high Net Promoter Score (NPS), reflecting customer satisfaction and the quality of its services.
During the first half of the year, ACT also continued implementing APM Terminals’ Global Contract Lifecycle Management System, supporting its digital transformation strategy by standardizing contract management procedures, improving transparency and compliance, strengthening customer collaboration, accelerating processes, and enhancing operational efficiency.
Alongside its operational achievements, the company maintained its strong focus on health, safety, security, and environmental protection.
ACT successfully conducted a series of emergency preparedness and response exercises in cooperation with relevant authorities, including oil spill and bromine gas leak simulations. The exercises received positive evaluations from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA).
The company also successfully passed several external audits, including safety assessments conducted by ASEZA-certified auditors, inspections by the Social Security Corporation, and a comprehensive security audit carried out by Maersk in accordance with international standards.
ACT marked World Day for Safety and Health at Work by organizing a company-wide event under the slogan “Together for Safety,” featuring safety awareness sessions, live demonstrations by its Health, Safety, Security and Environment Department, educational workshops, Gemba walks, cleanup campaigns, and environmental awareness activities for school students.
As part of its environmental initiatives, the company also organized its Go Green Week 2026, encouraging employees to adopt sustainable practices and strengthen environmental responsibility across daily operations.
ACT reported significant progress in reducing its environmental footprint, achieving a 29% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with its 2022 baseline, including a 75% reduction in emissions related to electricity consumption.
The company attributed this progress to ongoing energy-efficiency initiatives, including work toward ISO 50001 Energy Management System certification, progress on a 6-megawatt solar power project, implementation of electricity monitoring systems for refrigerated containers, and expanded use of electric equipment to reduce diesel consumption and emissions.
These initiatives support ACT’s long-term commitment to cut carbon emissions by 65% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
Beyond operational excellence, ACT continued investing in sustainable social impact through its corporate social responsibility programs, focusing on improving quality of life, supporting education, and protecting the environment.
During the first half of 2026, the company supported numerous community initiatives while expanding strategic partnerships that contribute to improving living standards across Jordan.
As part of these efforts, ACT partnered with the Zaha Cultural Center to implement educational and environmental awareness programs, while continuing initiatives supporting orphaned children through programs promoting inclusion and equal opportunities.
The company also strengthened its support for the education sector through cooperation with the Queen Rania Foundation, backing initiatives aimed at empowering young people and expanding learning opportunities.
In Aqaba, ACT contributed to improving healthcare services by funding neonatal incubators and ventilators to enhance medical care for newborns.
Commenting on the company’s performance, ACT Chief Executive Officer Jose Rueda said:
“Our operational performance during the first half of 2026 reflects the strength of our capabilities, the confidence of our customers, and the dedication of our people. At Aqaba Container Terminal, we remain focused on delivering reliable and efficient port services while continuously enhancing safety and sustainability standards and creating lasting positive impact within the community. As regional trade continues to evolve, we are committed to building on this momentum and reinforcing Aqaba’s position as a strategic gateway for Jordan and the wider region.”
