Latest news with #Aqaba
Zawya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Jordan: Network upgrades save $160mln, 20m cubic metres of water in 2024
AMMAN — Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abul Saud on Tuesday said that the government, through its water sector institutions, has set ambitious plans to address the Kingdom's water challenges, upgrade networks, and curb violations. Abul Saud noted that the ongoing network upgrades saved approximately JD114 million and around 20 million cubic metres of potable water for citizens in 2024, according to a ministry statement. The minister also stressed that reducing water loss remains a top priority, achieved through cooperation with the local private sector, the first initiative of its kind in the region. "The partnership has contributed to a 7.5 per cent reduction in water loss in recent years, bringing the national rate down to below 46 per cent," he said, adding that this surpasses the two-year reduction target of 2 per cent, with an annual improvement of around 3 per cent. The minister also said that pilot projects in certain areas, including Aqaba and parts of the capital, have achieved water loss levels close to international standards. He also noted that the causes of water loss are well-defined, with technical losses, including malfunctions and ageing infrastructure, accounting for about 30 per cent, while administrative losses, mainly violations and illegal usage, make up around 70 per cent. In 2024, the government's enforcement efforts led to the confiscation of eight illegal drilling rigs, the removal of 58 violations on public land in the Jordan Valley, and the confiscation of 98 violations at the Al Kahraba Samra Station, the statement said. Additionally, authorities sealed 109 illegal wells and removed 2,976 violations along the King Abdullah Canal, one of the Kingdom's primary water sources. Across various regions, over 16,225 violations on main and secondary water lines were addressed, and 103 cases were referred to the judiciary. These actions contributed to conserving an estimated 20 million cubic metres of water and improved the efficiency of supply in affected areas. Abul Saud also highlighted the sector's increased reliance on technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to manage and distribute water, citing a pilot AI project implemented in a part of Amman to operate and oversee the water network. Additionally, network upgrades have been carried out across 10 areas in Amman, covering 110 kilometres. He also said that water loss reduction projects have now reached 22 per cent of subscribers in the capital, serving around one million citizens. These initiatives have reduced energy consumption by 54 per cent, brought water loss in the targeted areas down to about 15 per cent, and saved nearly 6.5 million cubic metres of water, he said. The minister also highlighted the deployment of mobile units equipped with advanced electronic systems to detect leaks and respond to complaints directly, using best practices and standards adopted by advanced countries. Abul Saud noted that the cost of water per cubic metre has dropped to around JD1.93 in 2024, though the deficit per cubic metre remains at JD0.80. He also said monthly water bills have generated greater public satisfaction, reflecting improved awareness of water conservation and helping ensure consistent bill payments, similar to other services such as electricity and telecommunications. The minister also noted that objections to the bill values decreased to less than 60 per cent by the end of 2024. "Through widespread awareness campaigns, communication efforts, and consumer surveys by water companies, cases of water waste on rooftops and in streets have seen a significant decline compared to previous years," he added. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: 194,000 containers received through ACT in 5 months
AMMAN — The number of containers loaded with goods received through the Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) increased during the first five months of 2025 by 22 per cent compared with the same period last year, the Jordan Logistics Association (JLA) said on Wednesday. JLA statistical data showed an increase in the number of containers received through ACT during the January-May period of 2025 to 194,868 containers, compared with 159,739 for the same period last year, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The data also cited an increase in the number of containers loaded with goods and exported from the Kingdom through the ACT during the first five months of this year by 9.5 per cent compared with the same period last year. The number of containers loaded with goods and exported through the ACT outside the Kingdom increased during the first five months of 2025 to 43,164 compared with 39,394 containers for the same period last year. The data showed an increase in the number of containers received through ACT in May of this year by 20.5 per cent, reaching 45,698 containers, compared with 37,896 containers for the same month of 2024. The number of containers exported through the ACT during May of this year witnessed a slight decline of 1 per cent, as it decreased to 9,589 containers compared with 9,630 containers for the same month last year. JLA President Nabil Khatib said that May 2025 recorded "remarkable" activity in terms of the number of containers received through the ACT, which is the "highest" number since the beginning of this year, noting that it represents a 'good' indicator for the port's activity. He attributed this rise to commercial activity and the movement of goods passing through transit heading to Syria, in addition to the transport of used vehicles shipped by containers, due to the speed of shipping and the lack of ships designated for transporting them. Khatib pointed out that the return of the navigational activity of the ACT to what it was during the past years will reflect positively on commercial activity and various economic sectors, especially the transport sector, which is one of the main drivers of overall economic activity. JLA was established in 2007, with the aim of representing workers in the shipping industry in Jordan, providing a competitive environment, protecting workers in freight brokers and developing work systems for freight brokers and logistics service providers. The association maintains membership of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Unions, founded in 1926 in Vienna, and is a non-governmental organisation.
Globe and Mail
09-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Announces New Ocean Innovation Hub in Partnership with Innovative Blue Technology Company Voyacy Regen
Located in the Gulf of Aqaba, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , the Aqaba Marine Park will focus on building climate-resilient coastal marine infrastructure at an unprecedented scale NICE, France , June 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- Today, His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein announced a new partnership with blue technology company Voyacy Regen, cofounded by Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau, to build a new ocean technology accelerator and innovation hub in Aqaba, Jordan . Under the Aqaba Marine Park (AMP) initiative, this groundbreaking project will focus on regenerating coral reefs and critical coastal marine infrastructure at scale to create a climate-resilient world where people and the ocean can thrive. "Today's announcement marks a pivotal step forward in our effort to embed sustainable practices and climate actions as an integral part of Jordan's economic growth, while establishing safeguards that will protect the kingdom's environment and natural resources for future generations," said Hussein Al-Safadi , CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC). "The Aqaba Marine Park will play a vital role in regenerating coral reefs, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting the sustainable use of ocean resources, in alignment with His Majesty King Abdullah II's vision for Aqaba, and with the guidance and support of the AMP's International Honorary Advisory Board." Coral reefs absorb up to 97% of storm surge and are critical barriers against increasingly catastrophic storms that already cause billions of dollars of damage and threaten millions of lives. However, coral reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate – it's estimated that half of the world's corals have disappeared since the 1950s, with 14% vanishing between 2009 and 2018 alone. "This partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is deeply meaningful to me, and I am honored to be working with His Majesty King Abdullah II," said Philippe Cousteau, Co-founder of Voyacy Regen and Aqaba Marine Park International Honorary Advisory Board Member. "Coastal communities are on the front lines of our rapidly changing world, and we couldn't think of a better partner than Jordan to scale the tangible solutions we need to solve this crisis." Located within the Aqaba Marine Nature Reserve, under ASEZA's supervision, and home to one of the Red Sea's most vibrant coral reefs and marine ecosystems, the Aqaba Marine Park, in cooperation with Voyacy, will focus on large-scale coral reef regeneration and coastal marine infrastructure to help create a climate-resilient future where both people and the ocean can thrive. Traditional methods of coral restoration, which involve growing small batches of corals and planting manually, cannot be implemented at the scale and speed needed to meet this crisis. Utilizing Voyacy's approaches, the Innovation Hub in Aqaba represents a nexus of action that will see the development and implementation of new, best-in-class technologies. The core technology combines 3D-printed reef structures, designed to absorb wave energy, with aquacultured heat-tolerant corals and AI technology. This allows for the rapid and cost-effective deployment of infrastructure that can protect coastal communities against destructive storms while promoting biodiversity. Voyacy and Jordan have mobilized a coral propagation farm and deployed a best-in-class commercial-scale 3D printer in Aqaba to accelerate this technology. About the Aqaba Development Corporation The Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) is the government's investment arm for Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), owning and managing key assets including ports, airport, and land. ADC drives sustainable growth by enabling investment and infrastructure across six priority sectors: tourism, manufacturing, green energy, logistics, creative industries, and education, and leads multiple initiative to support the blue economy. About the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA) Launched in 2001, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA) is designed and developed to embody and emphasize His Majesty King Abdullah II's vision for Aqaba. The Royal Vision is committed to transforming Aqaba into a world-class business hub and leisure destination, while putting the community's welfare and preserving the city's environmental and cultural heritage at heart. As Aqaba's transformation plans were set in motion, over the past 24 years, enormous milestones were achieved by mobilizing the Zone's government institutions, community, and the private sector. About Voyacy Regen Founded by Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau, Voyacy Regen is a pioneering blue tech company that combines human ingenuity, breakthrough technology, and innovative partnerships to solve one of the biggest problems facing coastal communities around the world; the collapse of the natural ocean systems that protect us. Voyacy's core technology combines 3D-printed reef structures, designed to absorb wave energy, with aquacultured heat-tolerant corals and AI technology, resulting in a commercially viable solution that will protect coastal communities, build the blue economy, and increase biodiversity. Learn more:
Jordan Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
King delivers Jordan's address at 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference 09 June 2025
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah delivered Jordan's address at the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice on Monday. The week-long conference is co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, with hundreds of international leaders, officials, and experts attending from around the world, according to a Royal Court statement. In the address, His Majesty said that bodies of water are a vital shared resource, sustaining billions of lives. However, threats such as climate change, pollution, overexploitation and loss of biodiversity directly imperil them, with His Majesty emphasising that this is a critical moment in time for action on behalf of the world's oceans and seas. The King shared how Jordan has embraced science as a tool for transformation, noting that studies indicate that coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba are exceptionally resilient in the face of extreme temperatures, which gives hope for their survival and makes them a unique laboratory that can help to save coral reefs around the world. During the speech, His Majesty announced the launch of Jordan's Aqaba Blue Ventures and Global Centre for Ocean Regeneration, which will provide opportunities to test new technologies that can be scaled up for global use, the statement said . Following is the full text of the King's speech: 'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Monsieur le Président, President Chavez, Mr. Secretary-General, Your Excellencies, It is a pleasure to join you today. And let me express my deep appreciation to the United Nations, and to the co-hosts, France and Costa Rica. This is a critical moment for action on behalf of the world's oceans and seas. They are a vital shared resource—sustaining billions of lives. Yet threats like climate change, pollution, over-exploitation, and the loss of biodiversity, directly imperil them. My friends, Let me focus on one of the most critical concerns—the health of coral reefs worldwide. Coral reefs are a crucial first-line defence for blue biodiversity and stability. They protect coasts, support fisheries, and generate trillions of dollars of socio-economic value. Yet, in a single human lifetime, nearly two thirds of the world's coral reefs have been lost. Reversing this loss is imperative. In Jordan, we have embraced science as a tool for transformation. Studies show that corals in the Gulf of Aqaba are exceptionally resilient to extreme temperatures. And this offers hope for their survival—and makes them a unique laboratory to save reefs around the world. That is why I am pleased to announce Jordan's launch of the Aqaba Blue Ventures and Global Centre for Ocean Regeneration. This Centre will be a proving-ground for new technologies that are scalable for global use. A next-generation coral propagation farm is already active. And we have in place a large-scale 3D printer for reef restoration. In developing this project, we have benefited tremendously from our partnership with my friend Philippe Cousteau, and other international collaborators. We are working to provide a pioneering model of regenerative blue economy—one that can be replicated for coral reefs world-wide. These collaborations reflect the importance of joint efforts. Technology will not be enough. We need inclusive partnerships. Global innovators. Cutting-edge scientists. And most importantly, local communities who are deeply connected to the ocean. Their experience is vital to lasting stewardship. My friends, Jordan has long chosen the path of stewardship and healing, despite challenges in our part of the world. We have vital national priorities to improve the lives of Jordanians. Some may see ocean or climate policy unrelated to these goals. We, like so many of you, know better. When nations choose to protect nature—even amid hardships—they strengthen their own resilience. When collective action regenerates ecosystems, we create new opportunities for all to thrive. Now is the time to make nature-positive solutions a mainstream part of global investment. Let us protect our planet's beating blue heart—and ensure our oceans and our seas thrive for generations to come. Thank you very much.' The King is participating in the conference as part of Jordan's commitment to supporting initiatives related to environmental and sustainable development issues, as well as the Kingdom's efforts at the international level to promote sustainable management and preservation of shared natural resources. The conference presents an opportunity for Jordan to showcase its achievements as well as the challenges facing the Gulf of Aqaba's marine ecosystem, in addition to building partnerships and attracting investments to support preservation of the Kingdom's marine environment, and promoting investment in the blue economy.
Zawya
04-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt: Petrojet, Jordanian consortium ink $21.76mln LPG storage project in Aqaba
Arab Finance: Petrojet and a Jordanian consortium led by the Jordan National Shipping Lines Company (JNSL) have signed a $21.76 million agreement with the Jordan Petroleum Refinery, to implement a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage project in Aqaba, as per a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Petrolem and Mineral Resources. The project includes the design, supply, and construction of two spherical LPG storage tanks, each with a capacity of 2,000 metric tons, at Jordan Petroleum Refinery's South Aqaba facilities. The turnkey project is expected to be implemented in up to 24 months. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
