Aqaba, July 19 (Petra) -- Cargo handled through Aqaba's ports and logistics facilities reached 13.3 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, up 12% from 11.83 million tonnes during the same period last year, according to data released by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC).
The increase was largely driven by the Aqaba Multi-Purpose Port, where cargo volumes rose 61% year-on-year to 3.58 million tonnes, compared with 2.23 million tonnes a year earlier.
The port recorded higher volumes across several cargo categories. Grain handling increased 53% to more than 2.05 million tonnes, while general cargo rose 22%. Roll-on/roll-off cargo measured by weight increased 25%, livestock cargo by weight rose 40%, and the port also handled 468,600 tonnes of bulk sugar during the six-month period.
During the second quarter of 2026, cargo throughput at the Multi-Purpose Port reached approximately 2.29 million tonnes, representing a 97% increase compared with the second quarter of 2025.
At the Oil Port, cargo handling increased 53% to more than 2.2 million tonnes, from about 1.44 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year. The increase reflected higher volumes of gasoline, diesel and crude oil, which rose 75%, 32% and 21%, respectively.
General cargo handled through the Passenger Terminal rose 23% to 737,000 tonnes, while the number of roll-on/roll-off truck units increased 14%.
The LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) port recorded an 11% increase in throughput, with handled volumes reaching 337,300 tonnes.
Container traffic at the Aqaba Container Terminal totaled 472,681 TEUs during the first six months of 2026, up 1% year-on-year. Transit import containers increased 155%, while non-transit import container volumes declined 12% and export container handling decreased 3%.
Passenger traffic also recorded modest growth. The number of sea passengers passing through the Passenger Terminal rose 1% to 198,696, while passenger traffic at King Hussein International Airport increased 4% to 95,089.
Meanwhile, cargo handled at the Industrial Port remained broadly unchanged at around 2.78 million tonnes. Fertilizer handling increased 24%, ammonia rose 18%, and potash increased 3%, while sulfur and phosphoric acid volumes declined.
//Petra//WH
