Aqaba: It is business as usual in Aqaba Port with inbound and outbound cargo being handled though with a slight freight fare increase imposed by global shipping firms amid regional tensions, Jordanian Logistics Association (JLA) President Nabil Khatib said on Wednesday.
According to Jordan News Agency, Khatib mentioned in an interview that some shipping lines have suspended outbound cargo shipping from certain Gulf ports due to ongoing regional developments. However, exports to Europe, the United States, China, and many other destinations continue normally.
Khatib indicated a "modest" rise in shipping costs on imports from some countries, attributing it to the rise in oil prices and marine insurance premiums. He emphasized that this increase is a regional trend and not confined to Jordan alone.
Since the outbreak of the regional conflict, most major shipping lines have introduced "emergency conflict surcharges" of $2,000 for a 20-foot container and $4,000 for a 40-foot container for both imports and exports. Khatib warned that this measure could negatively affect exports, particularly impacting lower-priced domestic goods. Despite these challenges, he assured that navigational conditions remain "manageable."
Furthermore, data released by the JLA revealed a 15.1 percent increase in the number of import-loaded containers entering the Kingdom through the Aqaba Container Terminal during the first two months of 2026, compared to the same period the previous year. Inbound container traffic surged to 82,659 containers in the first two months of the year, up from 71,822 containers in the same period last year.