Amman: Head of Jordanian Logistics Association (JLA), Nabil Khatib, announced about 9 ships will soon dock at port of Aqaba in the coming days to unload their cargo and load containers ready for export, which are estimated at about 6,000 containers loaded with various goods.
In a statement to “Petra’ Saturday, Khatib said ship Alon Hai, which operates within lines of Wan Hai Leins, is expected to dock at port of Aqaba next Monday after it crossed Bab el-Mandeb Strait two days ago on its way to Saudi port of Jeddah and then to Aqaba.
Khatib, who also holds position of Vice President of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, added that the ship will unload goods at Aqaba port and then load containers ready for export, based on previous reservations.
Other shipping lines have also announced the sailing schedule of their ships to the region, including Aqaba port, as the only inbound shipping reservations are accepted, he pointed out.
Khatib stressed that arrival of these vessels to the shipping routes that serve port
of Aqaba, respectively, gives “positive” indicators to mitigate difficulties facing importers and exporters as a result of the disruption that struck maritime shipping movement in the Red Sea region.
Additionally, he noted changing routes of ships from Bab el-Mandeb Strait to the Cape of Good Hope bears “excessive” costs, in addition to delaying arrival of goods for a period of not less than 3-4 weeks as a minimum.
According to Khatib, imports of Jordanian goods in containers through Bab el-Mandeb Strait constitute about 60.9% of the total imports, which are concentrated in equipment, vehicles, fabrics, clothing, and foodstuffs, the majority of which come from China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Khatib noted exports of Jordanian goods through Bab el-Mandeb Strait constitute about 25% of total exports, primarily salt, sulfur, fertilizers and phosphate, the majority of which go to India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Australia and Japan.
A total of 445,678 containers were imported into t
he Kingdom during the past year 2023, marking an increase of 1.3%, compared to 439,975 in 2022.
Moreover, a total of 135,353 containers were exported from the Kingdom in 2023, marking a spike of 12.1%, compared to 120,743 in 2022.
Khatib referred to the key challenges facing Jordan’s overall trade as a result of the Red Sea maritime crisis, including sharp hike in sea freight prices from various ports across the world, as well as the increase in duration of sea trips, and delays in supply chains.
Khatib noted imported shipping fees from the Far East increased by 200% due to the Red Sea crisis, and from Europe and America by 100%, while outbound shipping fees went up by about 100%.
Source: Jordan News Agency
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