Jordan on 1 October turned down an Israeli government request to use Aqaba port during the Israeli port workers' strike. 'Jordan was contacted by Israel on the issue, but we cannot receive Israeli ships because this would overburden the Aqaba port,' said Jordanian Information Minister Nabil Sharif. However, president of Jordanian Shipping Agents Association, Nadeem Gargour, said on 1 October that Aqaba had no problem receiving more general cargo, and that Amman should accept Israel's offer of $200 a container to increase port revenues.