ACT announces operational statistics for the first half of 2012, reporting major growth in key areas

Aqaba Container Terminal, the world’s gateway to Jordan and beyond, held a press conference on Wednesday July 10^th, 2012 to announce its operational statistics for the first half of 2012, reporting notable improvements in container traffic through the terminal.

Total container throughput between January and June 2012 reached a 19.5 percent increase over the same period in the previous year.  Container throughput reached a record-breaking 75,065 TEUs in June, with the total number of TEUs reaching 404,082.  

“These positive results, which come in spite of the socio-political and economic unrest currently afflicting the region, demonstrate ACT’s continued growth and the effectiveness of its expansion strategy,” commented ACT’s CEO Soren Hansen. “We are committed to maintaining this impressive streak of achievements, continuing our efforts to expand our network of partnerships on both regional and global scales.”

Reefer growth has increased 15% this year, in anticipation of this and future growth ACT has invested in increasing its reefer capacity by expanding reefer plugs from 700 to 950.  

During the press conference, ACT, highlighted its strategic plans to expand its commercial network, which included expanding its export volumes from the North of Saudi Arabia. The terminal will also continue to offer its services to the Iraqi market, as it is considered a vital pillar in the terminal’s operations.

From another angle, project implementation manager Khalil Abu Al Hawa, stated that the terminal’s berth expansion project continues to make steady progress, with the civil infrastructure portion making substantial headway. The first phase (delivery 70 meter) of the project is expected to complete by Q1 2013, with all construction works being streamlined to meet that deadline. 

The berth expansion project remains one of the most defining endeavours in ACT's history. It is to be completed in several phases. The project included the increase in the ports’ length by 460 meters which will have doubled its present wharf length, extending it to well over 1000 meters. The 2009-2013 master plan, which has a total investment value of $235 million, will not only bolster ACT's annual container throughput capacity to a projected 2 million TEUs, but will help reinforce Jordan's strategic position as a key portal to the Levant and Iraqi markets.

Beyond logistics, ACT continues to organize far-reaching CSR initiatives that reflect its commitment to the local community. For instance, the terminal recently organized a cleaning campaign targeting the shoreline and seabed of the diving area within the AqabaMarinePark. The campaign brought together 37 professional divers, 40 students from Al-ShamilaSchool for Girls and a number of independent volunteers who collaborated to collect more than 50 bags containing hard waste scattered across the shoreline and the seabed.

This initiative was followed by a pro-cycling campaign held under the heading “Cycle for Green,” which the terminal organized in line with the 2012 World Environmental Day celebrations around the globe. The main objective of the campaign was to promote more eco-friendly practices within the local community.

Moreover, the terminal scored a major victory for the environment by packing containers of coal and similar materials inside leak-proof bags in order to protect the environment during the transportation process. 

The terminal also organized free medical days at four unprivileged villages located within the Disi area, delivering much needed medications and consultation services to more than 4,000 people.

In April 2012, ACT capped its efforts to promote Aqaba as a viable investment destination through the two-day Aqaba Trade Mission organized by the terminal in FestivalCity, Dubai. The event highlighted the immense potential inherent in the ever-growing city and the key role it plays in the regional socioeconomic landscape. More importantly, it gave ACT the opportunity to expand its regional network of contacts, particularly within the Iraqi market.

The Aqaba Trade Mission was part of a series of campaigns that ACT intends to organize at various locations, with the long-term objective of reinforcing Aqaba’s position on the global map.