AD Ports Group to prioritise sustainability in Aqaba port development

BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)

AD Ports Group has signed a 30-year agreement with the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) to operate and develop the Aqaba Multipurpose Port in Jordan. AD Ports Group will hold 70% ownership, while ADC will hold the remaining 30% in the joint venture that will be formed to manage and operate the port.

The Aqaba Multipurpose Port marks AD Ports Group’s largest infrastructure investment in Jordan to date.

Speaking to Aletihad, Ahmed Al Mutawa, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, said that its long-term approach to the Aqaba Multipurpose Port will be anchored in its Group-wide Sustainability Strategy, which will guide the full 30-year concession.

According to Al Mutawa, the strategy embeds environmental stewardship across all operations, prioritising efficiency, reduced environmental impact, enhanced health and safety standards, and the protection of the Red Sea coastline through robust pollution prevention, water conservation and responsible waste management practices.

Given the ecological sensitivity of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, biodiversity conservation has been identified as a material priority, he noted.

“The Group applies systematic environmental monitoring, strengthened water and waste controls, and science-led, nature-based solutions to support marine ecosystem resilience,” Al Mutawa said.

Aligned with its ISSB-informed disclosures and its net-zero by 2050 ambition, AD Ports Group is implementing a structured decarbonisation pathway across its global operations.

“In Aqaba, this will translate into improved energy efficiency, progressive equipment electrification, low-carbon infrastructure integration and emissions intensity monitoring per tonne handled, supported by time-bound targets and key performance indicators,” he added.

Waste minimisation and recycling will also remain central, Al Mutawa said, with the Group applying the waste hierarchy to reduce generation at source, maximise reuse and recycling, and protect surrounding marine environments.

On digital transformation, AD Ports Group said Aqaba Multipurpose Port will be developed into a next-generation smart port through a phased programme.

He revealed that the roadmap includes the deployment of an integrated Port Community System (PCS), modernisation of core IT infrastructure and implementation of advanced digital platforms, including a next-generation Terminal Operating System (TOS), smart gate solutions, IoT-enabled monitoring and AI-driven data analytics to optimise operations and automation.

“The Group’s stated vision is to position Aqaba as a world-class smart port that enhances efficiency, resilience and global connectivity by combining operational excellence with advanced AI and digital capabilities to enable intelligent, data-driven port operations that meet the evolving demands of regional and international trade,” Al Mutawa added.

Shadi Majali, Chief Commissioner of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), said the partnership is structured to elevate Aqaba’s competitiveness across operational, commercial and strategic dimensions.

Majali emphasised that AD Ports Group brings three strategic advantages to Aqaba, as they manage a diversified portfolio of international ports and maritime assets.

He indicated that the Group’s recent acquisition of Noatum gives Jordan access to cutting-edge logistics technology and connects Aqaba to a global network of shipping routes and partners.

“AD Ports Group combines capital strength with technical depth, providing the resources and expertise needed to modernise Aqaba’s infrastructure and address longstanding operational challenges,” Majali told Aletihad.

He noted that the 30-year agreement is structured to enhance competitiveness across operational, commercial and strategic dimensions, while embedding Aqaba more effectively within global maritime networks.

Leveraging AD Ports Group’s global network will enable proactive engagement with major shipping lines and carriers to increase cargo volumes and diversify trade flows, Majali explained.

He added that the agreement reinforces Aqaba’s historic role as a critical regional maritime node by attracting larger vessels, expanding diversified shipping services and reducing turnaround and cargo dwell times.

Majali stressed that the current priority is consolidating the new multipurpose port operating model, achieving performance benchmarks and stabilising key operational KPIs before announcing additional large-scale investments.

Majali also pointed to AD Ports Group’s experience in implementing smart port systems, advanced management software and integrated shipping and clearance platforms to optimise berth and yard utilisation, while reducing handling turnaround times and operational overheads.

A core pillar of the agreement, Majali said, is the qualification of Jordanian port personnel through rigorous training frameworks focused on leadership development and specialised logistics skills to ensure sustainable, independent operations.

“Jordanian staff will be integrated into AD Ports Group’s global maritime ecosystem, gaining exposure to international benchmarks in port management and logistics,” Majali added.

The ultimate objective, he said, is to cultivate a sustainable, world-class local talent pool that preserves institutional knowledge and ensures operational continuity for decades.

The partnership builds on a wider pattern of strategic investments by AD Ports Group in Jordan.

“AD Ports Group and Jordan have maintained longstanding cooperation through projects such as Marsa Zayed, the Cruise Terminal and the Port Community System,” Majali noted.

In January 2025, the Group appointed MAG Group Holding to lead the first phase of Marsa Zayed, a 3.2 million square metre beachfront tourism and business development in Aqaba aimed at positioning the city as a regional gateway to the Red Sea.

In February 2025, AD Ports Group also secured a contract to manage and operate the Al Madouneh Customs Centre in Amman, supporting trade facilitation and supply chain efficiency.