Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) is seeking interest from a joint venture of multinational and local consultancies by 30 March for the contract to update the ADC port masterplan.

The joint venture sought will update the port master plan to ensure that the port’s capabilities and capacities “meet the kingdom’s requirements in addition to coping with economic conditions and variables”.

It has to possess a specialisation in port master plan development as well as in trade and traffic forecast and management, according to the company.

In May last year, ADC invited expressions of interest from contractors for the project to expand the marine works and grain silos at the second phase of the Port of Aqaba. This package was being funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).

It also launched a tender for a  contract to prepare tender documents for the port management systems (PMS) and information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure for the Aqaba New Port Project last year.

The development of the Aqaba is one of Jordan’s national infrastructure priorities and will constitute a major element of the country’s long-term economic growth. It is part of Jordan’s sole maritime gateway and a key component of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone’s emerging positioning as ”a leading multi-modal logistical trade gateway for the Levant region on the Red Sea”.