Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) is preparing the phase two expansion of Aqaba New Port. The ADC expects to begin prequalification in quarter two of 2015.

The port’s capacity will be increased by two extra 250m berths and it is expected to bring capacity to 2.2 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The packages include marine civil works, bulk earthworks, berth structure and wharf furniture.

The ADC is negotiating a loan to finance the project from the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Contractors may be from any country.

The port currently has a total quay length of 1,000 metres and an annual container capacity of 1.5 million TEUs.

In February 2015, a consortium of Spanish Técnicas Reunidas and PHB signed the contract to re-qualify and expand the industrial pier at the port of Aqaba, in Jordan, worth €130m ($142m).

The scope of the works included the re-qualification of the existing industrial pier, a new jetty, three ship loaders and one ship unloader, a sulphur storage yard, new buildings, roads, interconnecting piping, and the upgrade of the complete conveyor belt system. It is scheduled for completion in 2017.

Aqaba New Port is the main maritime gateway for the Aqaba special economic zone. The port is positioning itself as an alternative, safer port to Iraq.

Aqaba Container Port is managed through a 25-year agreement between ADC and Dutch firm APM Terminals.