APM Terminals and Aqaba Development Cooperation signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) this week for a 15-year extension of their partnership in the Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT), according to the company’s release.
The agreement secures a $242 million investment to maintain ACT’s leading position in the region and accelerate plans to transform ACT into a truly sustainable gateway to Jordan, the Levant and beyond.
Its notewirthy ,Minister of State for Government Follow-up and Coordination, Nawwaf Al-Tal, deputizing for Jordan’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Dr. Bisher Al-Khasawneh, inaugurated a forum to announce the future vision for the Aqaba port, hosted by APM Terminals and Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT)—the sustainable gateway to the Levant region and beyond, on September 28 at the St. Regis Amman.
The Aqaba vision forum was attended by APM Terminals CEO, Keith Svendsen, A.P Moller – Maersk Head of Decarbonisation, Morten Bo Christiansen, Regional Managing Director for Maersk Training, Vijay Rangachari, Aqaba Container Terminal CEO, Søren Jensen, senior leaders from A. P. Moller-Maersk Group and ACT, ministers, key government stakeholders, customers, and senior executives from various industries, institutions, and associations.
The forum followed the signing of an MOU on September 27, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Bisher Al-Khasawneh, between APM Terminals and Aqaba Development Cooperation outlining the ambitious plans for the port and a 15-year extension of the partnership in ACT to ensure the long-term transformational investments required to ensure Aqaba Container Terminal continue to lead the region are accelerated.
The CEO of APM Terminals, Mr. Svendsen, introduced the key aspects of the company’s future vision for the Aqaba port, which include ambitious decarbonization plans, the modernization and expansion of ACT, the development of a training center for individuals working in the maritime and logistics sectors, and ongoing support for Jordan’s goal of becoming an export hub for green energy.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, said, “Aqaba is considered one of APM Terminals’ major strategic ports, and an important gateway to the Levant region and beyond. To reinforce our long-term commitment to Aqaba and to Jordan’s 2030 Economic Modernization Vision, we have developed a meticulous plan for enhancing Aqaba’s competitiveness both regionally and globally including a net zero emission target for 2040 – the only port in the region with such.”
Mr. Rangachari, the Regional Managing Director for Maersk Training, said, “We are eagerly looking forward to the establishment of a Center of Excellence for the logistics and maritime industry, which will play a pivotal role in developing the skills of the sector’s current and future professionals, supporting growth and progress for Jordan and across the Levant.
Students enrolled in the center will have the opportunity to be an integral part of Aqaba’s transformation, allowing members of the local community to take a more active role in these exciting changes.
Leveraging our robust global expertise and resources, we look forward to exploring with key stakeholders how we can support in building a skilled workforce not only in the local market, but according to global standards and benchmarks.”
The Head of Decarbonisation for A.P Moller – Maersk, Mr. Christiansen, added, “A.P. Moller – Maersk will be supporting Jordan in every way we can during its long-term energy transition journey.
We would be proud to lend our company’s knowledge, large demand for green fuel, and expertise to helping the Kingdom enhance its positioning as a producer and exporter of green fuel.”
