Built under a 30-year public private partnership, the new port will be situated in Aqaba’s Southern Industrial Zone, and will consist of three terminals - a cargo and roll-on roll-off terminal, a grain terminal, and a ferry terminal.

Aqaba is Jordan’s only marine gateway and the move to the industrial zone will provide greater space to develop a world-class port and logistics hub.

The Aqaba Development Corporation expects to select a preferred bidder for the contract by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the old port and surrounding area is to be redeveloped into a waterfront residential and leisure area. The Abu Dhabi consortium Al-Ma'abar was recently appointed to conduct the redevelopment, with an expected investment of $5bn.