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Technical Review Middle East - Issue Two 2013
Port Facilities
Aqaba seeks a bigger role as a shipping hub
Most of the transit cargo handled by ACT is destined for Iraq
Jordan’s only container terminal is seeking a greater role in Iraqi trade. Lynda Davies reports.
L
OCATED ON THE northern shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) is Jordan’s only container port. Last year saw container throughput at the facility rise to more than 817,434 TEUs, a 15.8 per cent increase on 2011, and representing a utilisation rate of over 96 per cent. In a move to keep pace with market growth, a major expansion is underway to increase the terminal’s operational capacity. On completion of the project at the end of 2013, annual container throughput capacity is expected to increase to 1.5 million TEUs from the current 850,000 TEUs. www.technicalreview.me
Expansion A key element of the project is the extension of the existing 540-metre berth length to 1,000 metres which will allow ACT to accommodate three large ships simultaneously rather than just one at present. The draft alongside the extended berth will range from 15.5 metres up to 33 metres, allowing some of the largest vessels to dock without restrictions. ACT is also developing associated container yards and adding new equipment in line with the expansion. “We will have the first 200-metre section
It considers the Iraqi market a vital pillar in the terminal’s operations
of the berth extension up and running by the end of February,” ACT’s CEO Soren Hansen said. “We are also expanding our inventory further by adding two STS cranes and four RTGs to our existing equipment.” The addition of the two new ship-toshore (STS) cranes will take the number of STS cranes at the facility to seven. Plans are also underway to add 16 more truck heads and 16 trailers. The expansion is on track for completion by the end of 2013, Hansen said. ACT confirmed the cost of what it refers to as ‘the phase two 2009-2013 expansion’, is still on budget at an estimated US$235 million.
Strategic position Australia’s Cullen, Grummit & Roe (CGR) undertook the design work for the 460metre berth expansion and is supervising its construction as well as the development of the associated container