Aqaba, July 19 (Petra) — Cargo handled through Aqaba’s ports and
logistics facilities reached 13.3 million tonnes in the first half of
2026, up 12% from 11.83 million tonnes during the same period last
year, according to data released by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone
Authority (ASEZA) and the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC).

The increase was largely driven by the Aqaba Multi-Purpose Port,
where cargo volumes rose 61% year-on-year to 3.58 million tonnes,
compared with 2.23 million tonnes a year earlier.

The port recorded higher volumes across several cargo categories.
Grain handling increased 53% to more than 2.05 million tonnes, while
general cargo rose 22%. Roll-on/roll-off cargo measured by weight
increased 25%, livestock cargo by weight rose 40%, and the port also
handled 468,600 tonnes of bulk sugar during the six-month period.

During the second quarter of 2026, cargo throughput at the
Multi-Purpose Port reached approximately 2.29 million tonnes,
representing a 97% increase compared with the second quarter of 2025.

At the Oil Port, cargo handling increased 53% to more than 2.2
million tonnes, from about 1.44 million tonnes in the corresponding
period last year. The increase reflected higher volumes of gasoline,
diesel and crude oil, which rose 75%, 32% and 21%, respectively.

General cargo handled through the Passenger Terminal rose 23% to
737,000 tonnes, while the number of roll-on/roll-off truck units
increased 14%.

The LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) port recorded an 11% increase in
throughput, with handled volumes reaching 337,300 tonnes.

Container traffic at the Aqaba Container Terminal totaled 472,681
TEUs during the first six months of 2026, up 1% year-on-year. Transit
import containers increased 155%, while non-transit import container
volumes declined 12% and export container handling decreased 3%.

Passenger traffic also recorded modest growth. The number of sea
passengers passing through the Passenger Terminal rose 1% to 198,696,
while passenger traffic at King Hussein International Airport
increased 4% to 95,089.

Meanwhile, cargo handled at the Industrial Port remained broadly
unchanged at around 2.78 million tonnes. Fertilizer handling
increased 24%, ammonia rose 18%, and potash increased 3%, while
sulfur and phosphoric acid volumes declined.

//Petra//WH