Port Aqaba (Jordan) officially inaugurated the new Aqaba Cruise Terminal on Monday, January 23rd.
Deputizing for Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Local Administration Tawfiq Krishan attended the ceremony, which saw the participation of Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan (UAE's Ambassador since Dec 2022).
The opening coincided with the arrival of the MSC's ship Splendida, bringing 2000+ tourists to the country.
The new passenger terminal is also the first of 5 mega-projects developed via a partnership between Abu Dhabi Ports Group and ADC-Aqaba Development Corporation to boost the city's tourism, transport, and logistics sectors.
Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi Ports Group will "develop, manage and operate the Aqaba Cruise Terminal," which is designated for international cruisers visiting Jordan, specifically Petra, Aqaba, and Wadi Rum.
The terminal is expected to receive 50+ cruise ships over the next 4 months, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the destination, which offers sunny weather during the winter.
The volume of trade exchange between the UAE and Jordan reached ~US$3 billion in 2022, while the volume of Emirati investments in Jordan exceeded US$17 billion.
The Aqaba Cruise Terminal has a 700-meter pier, passenger & baggage hall, indoor commercial spaces, offices, and prayer rooms. It offers free Internet access.
The cruise terminal will help diversify the points of entry to Jordan and will also be an integral part of Marsa Zayed, developed by AD Ports Group, featuring residential/commercial spaces, food/beverage facilities, hotels, leisure areas, and offices designed to boost the position of the port as a regional tourism and business hub.