• 16-12-2021

AD Ports Group to Boost Tourism, Transport and Logistics at Aqaba Port

AD Ports Group supports the development of tourism, logistics, transport, and digital infrastructure within Aqaba.


AD Ports Group, a leading facilitator of trade and logistics, has maintained its regional footprint by signing four strategic agreements and a Head of Terms Agreement (HoT) with the Aqaba Development Corporation.

The four strategic agreements and a Head of Terms Agreement were signed by Hussein Ali Alsafadi, CEO, Aqaba Development Corporation and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO, AD Ports Group. The strategic partnerships involve the development of Marsa Zayed, a cruise terminal, and the development of an advanced digital Port Community System, in addition to Head of Terms agreements to explore the growth and modernisation of a port and King Hussein International Airport.

Marsa Zayed Land Agreement

The agreement is about the development of a land area of 1.2 million sqm in phase 1 of the development of the 3.2 million Marsa Zayed area by AD Ports Group, which will include a cruise terminal, tourism, leisure, residential and other projects.

Cruise Terminal Agreement

Under this Agreement, which builds upon a Head of Terms Agreement announced earlier in the year, AD Ports Group will develop, manage and operate a new cruise terminal in Aqaba, which will serve as a gateway for passengers visiting the Red Sea.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO, AD Ports Group, expressed:
“This strategic alliance will boost the wider efforts of the leadership of Abu Dhabi to drive trade and tourism with our neighbours in the region and to develop world-class infrastructure to expand global reach.

Abdulla Al Hameli, Head of Industrial Cities & Free Zone Cluster, AD Ports Group spoke:
“We are excited to partner with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority for the development of a land area of 1.2 million sqm comprising real estate development projects, tourist residential complexes, hotels, chalets, commercial centres and theme parks.”

“We are delighted to be able to play our part in the development of the Port of Aqaba and the new cruise terminal, drawing on our expertise in the cruise sector and our experience in providing advanced services across the supply chain." Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, said

Dr Noura Al Dhaheri, CEO of Maqta Gateway, Head of the Digital Cluster- AD Ports Group, stated that “As a result of these partnership agreements, Aqaba’s cruise, logistics and shipping sectors will have to access a broad range of innovative technologies that support optimised services across land, sea and air. .

"Digitalisation will introduce important efficiencies and eliminate risks from the supply chain, with a fully integrated platform that delivers the best possible customer experience.”

Eng. Mohammad Al-Sakran, Executive Director, Transport & Logistics, Aqaba Development Corporation, remarked: “This strategic partnership will promote Aqaba as a major player in the region’s supply chain.

"The digital transformation resulting from this partnership will also create a new ecosystem that will enhance the resilience of the maritime sector in Aqaba."