Aqaba — World Maritime Day, observed on the last Thursday of September each year, carries a message that goes beyond celebrating ships, ports, and maritime workers. It raises a question directly linked to the future of Aqaba’s ports: How can international agreements and policies be transformed into tangible results at sea, on the docks, and in cargo-handling yards?
اضافة اعلان
For nearly eight decades, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established an integrated framework of conventions, codes, and guidelines covering ship safety, maritime security, shipping efficiency, environmental protection, and the training and qualification of seafarers.
In Aqaba, this framework takes on particular practical importance given the city’s strategic location on the Red Sea. It is the Kingdom’s only maritime gateway, a gateway for Jordan’s trade, and a hub capable of serving transit traffic bound for regional markets.
The value of these policies is realized only when they are reflected in the performance of Aqaba’s ports through effective inspection and oversight procedures, tested emergency plans, safe pilotage and towing services, greater efficiency in receiving ships and handling cargo and containers, as well as smooth truck movements and better links between the ports, logistics areas, and transportation networks.
As transit traffic and maritime activity increase, faster processing, shorter waiting times for ships and cargo, and data exchange among relevant authorities become critical factors in strengthening Aqaba’s competitiveness and reinforcing the confidence of shipping lines, importers, and exporters in its services.
For the first time, the theme of World Maritime Day spans two years, 2026 and 2027, under the slogan “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Maritime Excellence.” This emphasizes that moving from legislation and planning to implementation is an ongoing process based on training, technical assistance, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange.
This message directly reflects Aqaba’s reality, as maintaining its position as a reliable maritime and logistics gateway requires continuous development of infrastructure, equipment, and digital systems, along with greater readiness among the various entities operating within the port ecosystem.
Excellence at Aqaba’s ports is measured by their ability to ensure the continuity of supply chains under both normal and exceptional circumstances, respond to crises, apply the highest standards of maritime safety and security, and protect the unique environment of the Gulf of Aqaba.
This excellence also depends on confidence in Jordanian personnel including pilots, engineers, inspectors, technicians, equipment operators, and operations-room staff who have demonstrated their ability to manage one of the Kingdom’s most sensitive economic systems and turn international policies and standards into daily practices that strengthen Aqaba and its ports’ position on the regional transportation and trade map.
Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority: Maritime Excellence Begins with Clear Policies and Is Completed by Results Felt by Investors and Stakeholders
Chairman of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Shadi Ramzi Al-Majali, said World Maritime Day represents an opportunity to reaffirm Aqaba’s strategic role as Jordan’s maritime gateway and an integrated logistics platform serving national trade and regional transit traffic, benefiting from its strategic location on the Red Sea and its links to regional and global markets.
He added that the theme for 2026 and 2027, “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Maritime Excellence,” is consistent with the authority’s vision of ensuring that plans and legislation do not remain merely on paper but are transformed into practical results that investors and stakeholders can experience through more efficient services, more flexible procedures, and a business environment that attracts investment and creates sustainable employment opportunities.
Al-Majali noted that Aqaba has made significant progress in building an integrated and specialized system of ports, logistics areas, and maritime and support services. The Aqaba port system includes 12 specialized terminals and 32 operational berths covering various types of cargo handling, including containers, oil, gas, liquefied natural gas, phosphate, fertilizers, sulfur, ammonia, grain, livestock, and general cargo. It also includes a specialized terminal serving passengers and tourists, while the new port alone has nine multipurpose berths.
He explained that this diversity of terminals and berths gives Aqaba advanced operational and logistical capabilities, strengthening its readiness to receive different types of vessels and cargo and meet the needs of the trade, industrial, and energy sectors. It also supports the growth of transit traffic and reinforces confidence in Aqaba as a safe and reliable corridor for regional trade. At the same time, coordination among the entities operating at Aqaba’s ports has helped maintain the smooth flow of supply chains despite regional circumstances and challenges.
Al-Majali stressed that the growth of transit traffic presents Aqaba with a strategic opportunity to expand its presence on the region’s maritime and logistics map. At the same time, this requires continued infrastructure development, faster procedures, and improved connectivity between ports, logistics areas, and transportation networks to reduce time and costs and enhance the competitiveness of services provided to investors, shipping lines, and stakeholders.
Al-Majali explained that protecting the Gulf of Aqaba will remain a key criterion in implementing any project or expansion. He stressed that true maritime excellence is not measured solely by cargo volumes or the number of vessels, but by the ability to combine economic growth, operational efficiency, navigational safety, and environmental sustainability in a way that preserves the gulf’s unique character and strengthens Aqaba’s position as a maritime and logistics gateway for Jordan and the region.
He expressed strong confidence in Jordanian expertise, which he said has demonstrated its ability to manage complex maritime and logistics operations in accordance with international standards. He also stressed the continued investment in youth training, knowledge transfer, and the development of technical and technological skills to enable national personnel to lead the next phase and sustain these achievements.
Aqaba Company for Port Management and Operation: Turning Policies into Practice Begins at the Berth and Cargo-Handling Yards
Director General of the Aqaba Company for Port Management and Operation, Dr. Mahmoud Khalifat, said World Maritime Day is an occasion to recognize workers at berths, yards, and operations rooms who maintain the flow of cargo around the clock.
He stressed that the event’s theme directly reflects the nature of their work: standards and plans achieve their objectives only when they are transformed into daily operating procedures followed by workers, supervisors, and management.
Khalifat said the company, through its personnel, has strengthened the readiness of berths, equipment, and yards, improved the organization of cargo-handling operations and truck movements, and developed safety procedures and coordination with partner institutions. These efforts have given the ports greater flexibility in dealing with increased workloads and changes affecting supply chains.
He added that the growth of transit traffic represents an important opportunity for Aqaba, expressing confidence that Jordanian personnel, with their experience and discipline, are capable of leading this phase. He said continuous training, occupational safety, and the modernization of operating methods therefore remain among the company’s top priorities.
Jordan Maritime Authority: Updating Legislation, Strengthening Safety, and Monitoring Seafarers Are Pillars of Maritime Excellence
Director General of the Jordan Maritime Authority, Ahmad Al-Assasleh, said World Maritime Day represents an opportunity to reaffirm Jordan’s commitment to international conventions and standards, enhance navigational safety and security, and protect the marine environment, thereby supporting the reliability of Aqaba’s ports and their role in serving national trade and regional transit traffic.
He added that the 2026-2027 theme, “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Maritime Excellence,” is consistent with the authority’s role in translating international policies and commitments into practical procedures, including ship inspections, navigation regulation, verification of safety requirements, and responses to maritime emergencies.
Al-Assasleh noted that the authority continuously reviews and updates its legislation and regulations and develops its regulatory, technical, and digital services and procedures in line with international best practices. This aims to improve performance efficiency and accelerate the completion of transactions without compromising maritime safety and security requirements, particularly as vessel, cargo, and transit traffic through Aqaba continues to grow.
He explained that the authority’s responsibilities also extend to monitoring Jordanian seafarers working aboard ships around the world, verifying their qualifications, documents, and certificates, monitoring their professional conditions, and contributing to protecting their rights.
He stressed that investing in the training and qualification of Jordanian seafarers strengthens their presence in the global maritime labor market, while the authority continues to enhance its emergency preparedness and reduce pollution risks to protect the Gulf of Aqaba and reinforce Jordan’s position in the maritime transport sector.
Aqaba Container Terminal: Excellence Means Reliable Service That Shipping Lines and Traders Can Rely On
General Manager of Aqaba Container Terminal, José Rueda, said World Maritime Day is an opportunity to reaffirm the company’s responsibility at the heart of the national supply chain and to recognize the workers who maintain the smooth movement of containers.
He said the terminal translates the event’s theme into practice by turning development plans into tangible improvements in equipment performance, yard management, vessel services, and data exchange with partners.
Rueda explained that the development of operational and digital systems and improved management of resources and equipment have strengthened operational flexibility and the ability to respond to changes in vessel schedules and demand volumes.
He added that the teams have demonstrated their ability to ensure service continuity under exceptional circumstances, an achievement that reflects the accumulated experience of Jordanian personnel.
Maritime Services: Safe Daily Operations Begin Before the Vessel Reaches the Berth
General Manager of Aqaba Marine Services, Frederik Rutgers, said World Maritime Day is an occasion to honor maritime pilots, tugboat crews, engineers, and operations-room staff who turn safety regulations into daily practices from the moment a vessel approaches Jordanian waters until it berths and departs safely.
Rutgers said that since its establishment, the company has strengthened its readiness in pilotage, towing, mooring, maneuvering, and emergency response services. It has also improved coordination with ports and relevant maritime authorities.
He added that training and joint exercises have strengthened teams’ ability to respond to fires, pollution, and potential accidents, helping protect lives, facilities, and the marine environment.
Rutgers explained that as the number of vessels and the variety of their sizes increase, the efficiency of tugboats and pilots and the speed of response become increasingly important in reducing waiting times without compromising safety.
He expressed strong confidence in Jordanian maritime personnel, saying they have demonstrated professionalism under various circumstances, and added that the company would continue investing in their training and in technologies that help them perform their duties with the highest levels of precision.
On World Maritime Day, Aqaba presents a clear example of what it means to move from policy to practice: international conventions are translated into inspections and training; plans become ready berths and equipment; safety standards become daily behavior; and logistics ambitions become services that strengthen the confidence of shipping lines and investors.
At the same time, investment in Jordanian people, alongside technology and sustainability, remains central to reinforcing Aqaba as a safe, efficient, and regionally competitive maritime gateway.
Resource: Al-Ghad. Reporting: Ahmad Al-Rawashdeh
