Facility will welcome international ships and become the regional hub for cruising in the Red Sea
By
Rebecca Gibson |
AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation inaugurated the first and only cruise terminal in Aqaba, Jordan, on 23 January.
The new Aqaba Cruise Terminal features a 700-metre quay wall, a passenger and luggage hall, indoor retail spaces, prayer rooms and offices accommodating multiple government stakeholders serving the cruise sector. The facility, which will offer free wi-fi, will also be an integral part of AD Ports Group’s Marsa Zayed, a mixed-use waterfront project comprising retail, food and beverage, commercial and office spaces, hotels, and leisure and residential areas.
It was officially opened by His Excellency Dr. Bisher Khasawneh, prime minister of Jordan; His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan, United Arab Emirates ambassador to Jordan; His Excellency Tawfiq Kreishan, deputy prime minister and minister of local administration in Jordan; and other officials representing AD Ports Group, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, and Aqaba Development Corporation.
“This strategic partnership serves as a testament to the steadfast collaboration between Jordan and the UAE, firmly positioning Aqaba as a major player within the global arena, while helping promote national plans and drive economic prosperity,” said His Excellency Hussein Safadi, CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation. “Not only that, but the subsequent digital transformation resulting from this partnership will also foster a new ecosystem that significantly enhances the resilience of Aqaba’s maritime sector.”
Aqaba Cruise Terminal will be developed, managed and operated by AD Ports Group and is expected to become a hub for international cruise ships visiting both Jordan and the Red Sea region. MSC Cruises’ MSC Splendida called at the terminal the day it was inaugurated and more than 50 vessels are scheduled to visit over the next four months, bringing tens of thousands of cruise guests to Jordan.
“This new facility seeks to elevate Aqaba’s travel experience and leverage its prime location and growth potential to attract tens of thousands of international visitors to explore Jordan’s top attractions, thereby adding economic value to the coastal city while establishing its position as a destination of choice in the Levant region,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports Group.