AD Ports Group has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) to manage and operate the Aqaba Multipurpose Port, Jordan’s sole general cargo and multipurpose seaport. The move further reinforces AD Ports Group’s investments in the city’s logistics and maritime infrastructure.
The agreement establishes a Joint Venture to oversee port operations, with AD Ports Group holding a 70% stake and ADC retaining 30%. As part of the deal, AD Ports Group will invest AED 141 million (US$38.4 million) in the Joint Venture, in addition to leveraging its extensive port development and operational expertise. The Group expects to formally assume management of the port in August 2026.
The signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) in Aqaba. Attendees included Counselor Hamad Al Matrooshi, Chargé d’Affaires of the UAE Embassy in Amman; Shadi Majali, Chief Commissioner of ASEZA; and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director & Group CEO of AD Ports Group. The agreement was signed by Hussein Safadi, CEO of ADC, and Ahmed Al Mutawa, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi stated, “This agreement marks a continuation of the strong and enduring economic partnership between the UAE and Jordan. It supports the transformation of Aqaba into a leading commercial gateway in the Red Sea region and enables AD Ports Group to deliver long-term, transformative economic impact while supporting our partners’ aspirations in Jordan. We look forward to strengthening our long-term collaboration, generating shared benefits and mutual growth.”
Shadi Majali of ASEZA added, “This strategic partnership is a significant milestone for Aqaba, enhancing its role as a competitive and integrated economic zone. The development of the Multipurpose Port in collaboration with AD Ports Group will boost logistics efficiency, attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen the city’s connectivity to regional and international markets. ASEZA remains committed to supporting the project through streamlined procedures and investor-friendly policies to ensure Aqaba continues to serve as a strategic gateway for Jordan and the wider region.”
Hussein Safadi, CEO of ADC, commented, “Working with AD Ports Group, our strategic partner, will accelerate the development of Aqaba Multipurpose Port as a central trade and transport hub in the upper Red Sea. AD Ports Group’s expertise, global connectivity, and digital trade solutions will help position Aqaba as a world-class logistics and trade hub, supporting sustainable economic growth across logistics, tourism, and port services.”
Located at the crossroads of three continents, the Port of Aqaba is Jordan’s primary gateway for international trade, handling approximately 80% of the country’s exports and 65% of imports. It also serves as a key transit point for neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
The Aqaba Multipurpose Port manages a wide variety of cargo, including general cargo, grains, livestock, Ro-Ro, and project shipments. The facility has an annual handling capacity of 11 million tonnes, supported by nine berths, a 2 km quay, and a 13.5-meter draft. In 2025, the port handled over 5.3 million tonnes of cargo and nearly 85,000 car equivalent units (CEUs) of Ro-Ro imports.
