Aqaba sees 49% cargo growth in seven months

Aqaba’s ports handled 7.978 million tonnes of cargo in the first seven months of 2026, up 49% from 5.363 million tonnes a year earlier, as the Jordanian gateway continued to support cargo flows across the Middle East. The ports received 992 vessels, while the container port recorded 298,291 loaded containers entering Jordan and 58,444 containers exported.

The higher volumes come despite increased shipping and insurance costs linked to regional tensions. Aqaba provides an important route for goods moving between Jordan and markets in Iraq, Syria and the Gulf, connecting maritime cargo with road freight into the wider region.

Daifallah Abu Aqoula, president of the Association of Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies, said the flow of goods through Jordan’s customs centres and Aqaba ports continued normally despite regional conditions and tensions.

The main port handled 4.216 million tonnes during the period, while the oil and gas port handled 2.91 million tonnes. Freight movements also remained active at Jordan’s border crossings. Jaber Customs Centre recorded 267,940 movements, compared with 320,076 at Omari and 230,346 at Karama.

Abu Aqoula said Aqaba Port remained an important maritime and land gateway for goods destined for Iraq, Syria and the Gulf Arab states. The association said 656,000 customs declarations were processed between January and August 18. It has called for better port and border infrastructure, new truck routes and simpler transit procedures to reduce delays and support regional cargo movement.