AMMAN — Handling of containers at
Aqaba ports has dropped due
to the rise in international freight rates and the decline in demand by traders
and investors, coupled with uncertainties emerging from an ongoing pandemic, a
problem that economists say has affected countries globally.
اضافة اعلان
General Manager of
Aqaba Company for Ports Operation andManagement (ACPOM) Khaled Maaytah said that the number of containers inspected
at Yard 4 reached 68 containers in 2021, compared to 74 in 2020, whereas the
general volume of handling (excluding containers) reached 15 million tonnes last
year compared to 14.6 million tonnes in 2020, and revenue reached JD66 million
in 2021, with an increase of 4 percent, compared to 2020. Commodities, according to Maaytah, include
foodstuff, livestock, and vehicles.
The first investment cargo received this year through the
ports of Aqaba was from the Republic of Djibouti; a ship loaded with 1,320
camels that were transported to the city of Maan for breeding.
2021 witnessed an increase in the movement of passengers and
tourists, whereby the number of travelers through the port of Aqaba reached
250,000 passengers compared to 76,000 in the previous year.
The demand on commodities, other than essentials, like food
and oil, has dropped globally due to the hike in freight prices and due to the uncertainty
felt by importers and traders under COVID-19, economist Yousef Damrah said.
The
World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund have lowered
global growth projections for 2021 to 5.9 percent and 4.9 percent for 2022,
said Damrah, adding that this measure affects the confidence of business owners
and importers, adding that this is a global situation that affected all
countries including Jordan, calling for a focus on increasing the volume of
exports to improve the Kingdom’s trade balance.
Wajdi Makhamreh, an economist, said that these figures are a
good sign that the trade flow has started to recover due to reopening several
sectors and removing restrictions.
During the first year of the pandemic, trade was affected by
the lack of smooth movement, Makhamreh said, noting that the numbers of
containers that arrive at the port has plummeted also due to hike prices of
commodities from the countries of origin.
In 2020, the port of Aqaba witnessed a record drop in the
number of docking ships, receiving only 11 ships out of 88 that were scheduled
to dock in Aqaba, compared to 70 ships in 2019.
He noted that the number of days of stay for goods decreased
in the years 2019 and 2020 to five days instead of nine, which enhanced the
port’s competitive advantage, in addition to reducing the costs of consumer
goods.
Established in 1952, ACPOM is an independent governmental
body mandated to establish, develop, maintain and operate port activities,
including receiving ships, handling and storing cargo.
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