By
Alex Smith |
AD Ports Group has signed a Heads of Terms agreement with the Aqaba Development Corporation for the establishment of a cruise terminal at Marsa Zayed in Aqaba, Jordan.
The new terminal will be the first facility that AD Ports Group has developed outside of the United Arab Emirates. It will provide a port of call for cruise ships sailing in the Red Sea, as well as tourism, commercial and entertainment services for local residents.
“We are pleased to be joining forces with AD Ports Group with this agreement, which falls in line with the wider cooperation between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates,” said Hussein Alsafadi, CEO of the Aqaba Development Corporation. “Developing the cruise terminal in Aqaba will significantly support the growth of the tourism sector in the Kingdom, which will expand of the scope of on-site facilities and services.”
A further Head of Terms agreement was also signed, stating that AD Ports Group’s digital arm, Maqta Gateway, will manage the implementation of a ports community system. This system will oversee communication between Aqaba ports and terminals operators, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Aqaba Development Corporation, Jordan Maritime Commission, customs, support services and onshore connections for the Port of Aqaba.
AD Ports Group will work with the Aqaba Development Corporation to deploy the digital system and expand the technical capacity and capabilities of Aqaba ports.
“We are pleased and proud to sign this strategic agreement with the Aqaba Development Corporation,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, group CEO for AD Ports Group. “The creation and operation of a new cruise terminal at Marsa Zayed will be a milestone for Jordan’s fast-growing cruise and tourism sector and is the first of many enhancement projects that we have planned.”