The government and Dubai Ports International (DPI) remain in negotiations over the 35-year concession to operate Aden Container Terminal (ACT), with inclusion of the adjacent Aden Free Zone in the contract in doubt.

It was initially excluded from the terms of reference but

was added during the second round of bidding. However, President Saleh suspended

the free zone agreement earlier in the year, while parliament and other parties have objected to the award of the container terminal to DPI, on the grounds that the facility is in direct competition with Jebel Ali port, also managed by DPI.

The Dubai-based company was selected for the ACT contract in mid-2005 (MEED 10:6:05).