Jordan ports body hits a wall

According to its director-general, Awwad Maaytah, the procedure is proving to be more complicated than expected.

The major stumbling block is believed to be the workforce of around 3,650, whose status and ultimate fate will have to be decided prior to any change in the company.

The setback has not, however, slowed the development of the new Aqaba port. Aqaba Development Corporation has revealed that bids put forward by the Aqaba Gateway Group and by Ayla New Port Consortium to build the new Aqaba port were both compliant.

Although both pre-qualified last year, changes to the various consortia prompted ADC to ask for new bids. Two other groups had also pre-qualified, both withdrew from the contest in the first quarter of this year.