Amman, May 12 (Petra) – Minister of Transport Wissam Tahtamouni on Monday held talks with European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) experts Fabrizio Pirelli and Erik Noor on advancing the national maritime strategy, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of Jordan’s maritime sector and supporting the Kingdom’s implementation of international maritime safety standards and agreements.

The meeting, held in the presence of the Director General of the Jordan Maritime Commission Omar Dabbas, addressed ways to bolster technical cooperation and align national practices with global maritime frameworks.

Tahtamouni stressed the strategic role of the maritime sector in supporting Jordan’s economy and its growing importance in facilitating connectivity with global markets. She highlighted the depth of Jordan’s partnership with the European Union and commended EMSA’s technical support in strengthening the Kingdom’s maritime transport capabilities.

She noted that the experts’ visit marks a vital step toward the exchange of expertise and collaborative efforts to apply international best practices. She reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to international maritime agreements and to developing policies for managing the transport of dangerous goods.

The discussions focused on practical policies under the planned national maritime strategy and the broader objectives the government aims to achieve. Tahtamouni emphasized the importance of technical cooperation in shaping a comprehensive and sustainable maritime framework.

Pirelli underscored that collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the Jordan Maritime Commission constitutes a constructive model for improving maritime safety in the region. He said EMSA’s presence in Jordan is intended to support the development of an effective maritime strategy aligned with international standards and tailored to serve both national and regional interests.

He added that the SAFEMED V program offers a key platform for Mediterranean countries to implement the International Maritime Organization’s requirements.

Noor, for his part, emphasized the Ministry’s pivotal role in coordinating with relevant stakeholders to develop a practical and integrated maritime strategy. He noted that the experts will conduct field visits in Aqaba to meet with stakeholders and finalize technical details and implementation plans.

Dabbas reiterated that the Ministry of Transport provides the main framework under which the Commission operates. He added that the national maritime safety strategy is being developed through a participatory approach that ensures alignment among all concerned parties and compliance with international commitments.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold a final follow-up session via videoconference after the experts complete their visit to Aqaba. This session will review the outcomes of their meetings and discussions, as well as the preliminary draft of the strategy, in preparation for advancing to the next phase of development.

The visit is part of a multi-day program that includes meetings in Aqaba with officials from the Jordan Maritime Authority and other relevant entities, to examine the elements of the National Maritime Safety Strategy in accordance with the International Maritime Organization’s Code III.

//Petra// AJ
12/05/2025 15:48:03