The historical timeline for Aqaba's port is closely linked to the age of the city itself. The city's history dates back to the 13th century BCE when it was one of the prominent cities in the Kingdom of Edom. When the Phoenicians dominated, led by King Hiram, it was transformed into a significant maritime port. The city of Aqaba has continued to play a vital role throughout history as a key hub on the trade route between Damascus and Egypt, as well as between East and West. The exceptional geographical location of the port has ensured its prominent role in international trade since ancient times. During the Islamic era, Aqaba became a station for Hajj caravans. This status persisted until the Crusaders took control of the region and the trade route shifted to the Red Sea due to the discovery of Cape of Good Hope. In the 19th century, the importance of Aqaba's port grew with the opening of the Suez Canal, making it a pivotal junction on major global trade routes connecting East to West and North to South. In the 20th century, Aqaba regained significance as a maritime and military base for various dominant powers, including Ottomans, British, and later Arabs during the Great Arab Revolt. The port was back to its natural role in trade, being one of the important ports on the Red Sea.
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Management, operation, and maintenance of operational assets for maritime ports entrusted to the company to manage, operate, and maintain
Providing necessary services for ships at the docks (cargo handling, mooring, fueling, and supplying with water
The authority of Aqaba Port has been renamed to Aqaba Port Department
Established the necessary plans to build new warehouses, docks, and yards
Modern port facilities were established, including building a 210-meter-long (A) phosphate export Berth with a depth of 33 ft
Establishing a berth for handling goods with a length of (160 m) and a draft of (33 ft), with a storage warehouse area of (6000 m²) and its affiliated yards.
Building electricity station and workshops for machinery maintenance
His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal inaugurated the General Administration Building of the Port
Establishing another berth for handling goods with a length of (180 m) and a draft (33) with warehouses of (6000 m2) , new equipment and spaces
Establishing a phosphate export berth
Establishing two phosphate warehouses
Establishing fuel and vegetable oil tanks within the port premises
As a result of the reopening of the Suez Canal and as a quick and temporary solution, two floating berths were established for containers and roll-on/roll-off ships. Each dock is 150m long, 35m wide, and has a depth of 45 ft . One was allocated for container and roll-on/roll-off ships, and the other for bulk cement carriers, along with associated yards totaling an area of 106K m²
Aqaba Port Department was merged with Aqaba Port Maritime Institution under the name Ports Corporation
Establishing 58 residential units for married employees
Establishing four berths for handling various goods along the extension of the existing berths and to their north, with a length of 720m and a depth of 33 ft
Establishing a berth for Ro-Ro goods, with 150m long and 21ft draft
Establishing two berths for goods and supplies, 300 m long and 18 ft draft
Establishing four warehouses to store goods with a total area of (21,000) m²
Establishing four hangars with an area of (12,000) m²
Establishing and paving open yards for storing goods, covering an area of 90,000 m²
Establishing and paving the yard located behind Mu'tah dock for container storage, covering an area of 80,000 m²
Establishing a workers' city for unmarried employees equipped with full services and transportation, as well as establishing a maritime training center
The construction of a new building for the port's fire brigade, equipped with modern services and machinery
Building a modern central workshop for machinery maintenance
Building silos to store grain in the main port campus by the Ministry of Supply
Start the construction of three container berths, each 540m long, and a roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) dock, that is 40m long
Purchasing two overhead cranes
Building a berth for importing and exporting chemical fertilizers and potassium
Building 150 apartments for married employees
Building a club for employees
Establishing a marine slipway for the maintenance of the institution's vessels and boats
Ferries began operating to transport passengers and goods between the port of Aqaba and the Egyptian Nuweiba Port
Establishing an oil jetty for exporting oil and petroleum derivatives
Establishing a modern passenger station
Building the new coastal station
Building the tower and offices of the Maritime Department
Establishing Prince Hamzah Oil anti-pollution Center
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Privatization of the container port
Applying the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
Start digital transformation for the Ports Corporation operations
Implementing digitalization across all departments of the Ports Corporation at a cost of 1.4 million dinars
Purchasing equipment and mechanisms to enhance the port operations
Privatization of maritime services, including port guidance and provision of ships water and fuel
Establishing new electronic gates for the port
Transferring the corporation’s assets to the Aqaba Development Corporation
Rehabilitating the timber berth to receive gas tankers and increasing the berth's capacity to accommodate larger ships
Cancelling the Ports Corporation Law pursuant to Law No. 39 of 2008, which was published in the Official Gazette, Issue No. 4921 dated 7/31/2008, Article 30A of which stipulates that ( transforming the corporation, in accordance with the Companies Law, into a private joint-stock company after completing the establishment and registration procedures with the Companies Control Department)
Repairing and developing passengers’ station
launching the institution's website : http://www.aqabaports.com.jo/
Puilding new passenger station berths (berth relocation in addition to metal and civil works)
Starting the construction of the new port of Aqaba
Establishing electronic gates for the passenger station
Repairing Prince Rashid Club
Operation of the new phosphate berth / Jordan Phosphate Company
Upgrading and expanding the oil and gas ports
The expansion project of the arrivals building for passengers
Start the construction of buildings, squares, hangars, and infrastructure in the new port
Opening of the natural gas port
Opening of the gas port: liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
Purchasing handling machinery and equipment for the operation of handling goods and grains at the new port
A decision has been issued by the Prime Ministry approving the transfer of the Ports Corporation, in its legal capacity, from a public entity into a private shareholding company owned by the government, under the name " Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management". According to Law No. 39 of 2008, which was published in the Official Gazette, Issue No. 4921, dated July 31, 2008. As well as forming a special committee to determine the company’s capital.
This step aims to enhance the performance of the port, increase its production and handling capacity, while adhering to market standards. In accordance with this decision, the appointed committee has drafted a law to repeal the Ports Authority Law No. 36 of the year 1985. Articles of incorporation have been prepared for the Aqaba Ports Management Company, which will replace the Authority in carrying out its functions. The bylaws for the Aqaba Ports Management Company have also been established.
After several decisions, the esteemed Council of Ministers decided on November 9, 2016, to transform the Ports Corporation into the Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management, Fully government-owned private company Where the intention of converting the Ports Corporation into a company was to serve as a catalyst for the national economy with a modern operational philosophy, based on the following principles:
the corporation was transformed into a company following to a decision from the Prime Ministry and commenced its operations as of March 1, 2017.
Follow commercial principles that achieve profitability within an operational system that considers all business elements.
Simplifying work procedures and moving them towards digitalization, which will reflect positively on the accumulation of production later.
Despite the transformation of some port properties into companies under operating agreements with certain international firms. these properties management and operation will be transferred back to the of the Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management after the agreement conclude.
This transition aligns with the development strategies aimed at positioning Aqaba Port on the map of competitive global ports. It will be accompanied by the qualification of technical personnel through various specialized training activities, and enriching the company with experiences that provide it with exceptional operational and productive flexibility.