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AD Ports Group is entering into a series of agreements with Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), covering tourism, logistics, transport and digital infrastructure. New strategic partnerships include the joint development of Marsa Zayed, a cruise terminal and an advanced digital Port Community System, in addition to Head of Terms agreements to explore the development and modernisation of a multipurpose port and King Hussein International Airport.
The Marsa Zayed agreement relates to the development of a land area of 1.2 million m2 that aims to position Aqaba as a major Red Sea destination for tourism and leisure. Additionally, AD Ports Group will develop, manage and operate a new cruise terminal in Aqaba, which will serve as a gateway for passengers visiting the Red Sea.
Maqta Gateway, the digital arm of AD Ports Group, has signed a joint venture agreement with ADC, establishing a new venture called Maqta Ayla to develop and operate an advanced Ports Community System (PCS), that will oversee communications between the Port of Aqaba and terminal operators, as well as the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Aqaba Development Corporation, Jordan Maritime Commission and other stakeholders. The system is expected to complete around two million digital transactions per year, generate considerable cost and time savings for stakeholders and customers, reduce CO2 emissions and streamline services.
Heads of terms were additionally signed on an agreement that will see ADC and AD Ports Group cooperate in exploring the development and modernisation of a multi-purpose port with a range of facilities including ro-ro, general cargo, grain and livestock handling terminals.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “This strategic alliance will boost the wider efforts of the leadership of Abu Dhabi to drive trade and tourism with our neighbours in the region, and to develop world-class infrastructure to expand global reach. Collectively, these mega-projects represent one of the most significant integrated transport, logistics and tourism development programmes announced in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in recent years.”
He added, “Working with our partners in the Aqaba Development Corporation, these ambitious projects will significantly expand the facilities available to travellers and businesses via sea, land and air. This in turn will help grow the trade and tourism sectors, while strengthening Aqaba’s status as a major regional hub and support the kingdom’s economic development plans.”
