The joint venture company will revolutionize Aqaba’s port operations
Adding pace to its strategic plan of enhancing maritime and tourism in Aqaba, AD Ports Group recently announced the signing of the shareholders’ agreement between its digital arm, Maqta Gateway, and the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) with regards to their existing joint venture company, Maqta Ayla. Maqta Gateway will have a 51 per cent stake in Maqta Ayla, while ADC will own 49 per cent, according to a press communique.
The joint venture company will revolutionize Aqaba’s port operations by implementing a Port Community System (PCS) that leverages Maqta Gateway’s expertise, also marking the first-ever export of Abu Dhabi’s key port digitalization solution.
The PCS will facilitate communications and transactions between the Ports of Aqaba, its terminal operators, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), ADC, and other stakeholders within the port’s ecosystem, streamlining services and building next-level efficiencies for the port city of Aqaba and Jordan.
Shareholders Agreement
The shareholders’ agreement was signed in the UAE on the sidelines of the 20th Transport Middle East Conference in the presence of Nayef Al Fayez, Chief Commissioner, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, by Hussein Ali Al Safadi, CEO, Aqaba Development Corporation and Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, CEO, Digital Custer and Maqta Gateway, AD Ports Group.
“We are excited to see our ports’ digitalization expertise and advanced technology know-how being leveraged for the Port of Aqaba. We look forward to offering them across more international locations to continue on our mission of transforming global trade,” observed Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group.
Solid partnership
“This new agreement seeks to further strengthen our solid partnership with the Aqaba Development Corporation and fast-track our joint efforts towards digitalising the Port of Aqaba, making it more intelligent, resilient and cost-efficient,” remarked Dr. Al Dhaheri.
“We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Maqta Gateway and are confident that Maqta Ayla will be highly instrumental in our efforts to enhance sustainable economic activity at one of Jordan’s most vital gateways,” commented Al Safadi.
The Ports of Aqaba are situated at the crossroads of three continents and handle 80% of Jordan’s exports and 65% of its imports. Aqaba’s Container Terminal is the second busiest in terms of volume along the Red Sea and fourth biggest in the region, with an annual traffic of approximately 1.3 million TEUs, the press statement concluded.
