Amman, June 10 (Petra) -- The Arab World Freight Alliance (AWFA), a digital platform connecting freight forwarders and customs clearance firms across the region, was launched in Amman on Wednesday to support greater coordination in Arab logistics and improve supply chain performance.

The platform brings together shipping, land, sea, and air freight operators within a single network aimed at facilitating cargo movement, improving coordination between stakeholders, and reducing reliance on external intermediaries.

Founded by Jordanian businessman Odeh Ramahi, AWFA includes 100 shipping companies from 22 Arab countries to pool regional expertise and enhance cooperation within the logistics and transport sector.

Ramahi said the platform, established in 2025, is designed to enable structured collaboration among freight forwarders and ensure smoother movement of goods through verified partners, while improving communication between Arab markets.

He added that the initiative supports Jordan’s role as a regional transit hub, given its strategic location linking the Arabian Gulf with Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, as well as access to European and Turkish markets.

He added that the logistics sector remains a key contributor to economic activity and regional trade flows.

Ramahi said the platform is aligned with Jordan’s economic modernization priorities, particularly efforts to improve supply chain resilience and capitalize on the Kingdom’s location to expand its role as a logistics gateway.

He added that AWFA is expected to boost transit activity through Jordan, reinforce the role of the Port of Aqaba and logistics centers, and improve efficiency in customs procedures and multimodal transport.

The platform will also enable faster coordination between members, support urgent shipment handling, and provide alternative routing options during disruptions or crises affecting trade routes.

Ramahi pointed to previous instances of coordination among members, including efforts during the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, when companies worked together to clear stranded shipments at Jebel Ali Port through shared procedures and logistical support.

He said AWFA will expand its network across Arab markets to compete with global logistics alliances, with its headquarters located in Jordan.

According to sector data, the Arab shipping and logistics industry includes more than 30,000 companies and generates around five million direct and indirect jobs.

//Petra// AJ