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International trade

Aqaba Ports Witness Significant Growth in May 2025

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Jordan Shipping Association (JSA) has released a monthly report highlighting significant growth in the maritime transport sector in May 2025, with Aqaba ports experiencing a notable increase in transit traffic and trade. The growth in transit traffic is attributed to increased demand for goods arriving in the Syrian market via the port of Aqaba, as well as growing demand in neighboring regional markets. The JSA's president, Zaid Kalaldeh, stated that the increase in container ships and container handling reflects the recovery of the maritime transport sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of container ships coming to Jordan increased by 54.3% in May 2025, reaching 250 ships compared to 162 ships during the same period last year.
  • Container handling increased by 26.1% in May 2025, reaching 387,891 containers compared to 307,697 last year.
  • Inbound full containers increased by 22% to 194,859 containers, compared with 159,735 containers.
  • Outbound full containers recorded a growth of 9.6%, reaching 43,164 containers compared to 39,392 containers.
  • Transit containers surged by 127.7% in May 2025, with 17,654 passing containers compared to 7,754 containers during the same period last year.
  • Jordan's phosphate exports dropped by 9.1% to 2,575,322 tonnes, while potash exports declined by 3.4% to 958,055 tons.
  • Iron material imports into the kingdom rose by 48% to 277,077 tonnes, compared to 187,253 tons in 2024.
  • Vehicle movement through Aqaba Port grew by 81.8%, with 35,277 vehicles imported or exported by the end of May 2025 due to increasing demand from the Syrian market.
  • Passenger movement through Aqaba Port increased by 34.5% to 136,649, with cruise ship activity seeing a notable return, with 13,130 tourists arriving by sea, compared to 529 tourists in the same period in 2024.

Statistics:

  • 54.3% increase in container ships coming to Jordan in May 2025.
  • 26.1% increase in container handling in May 2025.
  • 127.7% surge in transit containers.
  • 81.8% growth in vehicle movement through Aqaba Port.
  • 34.5% increase in passenger movement through Aqaba Port.
  • 48% increase in iron material imports into the kingdom.

Sources:

  • The Jordan Times (Amman, Jordan)
  • Petra (Jordan News Agency)

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