Jordan’s Aqaba port sees transit cargo boost amid Hormuz disruption

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Jordan’s Aqaba port has seen a substantial rise in transit cargo, with volumes increasing by over 155% in the first half of 2026 as shippers reroute goods through Jordan due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by US-Iran tensions. This shift has positioned Aqaba as a crucial alternative trade hub, particularly for goods destined for Iraq, potentially establishing a permanent new route in the region’s logistics network.

Jordan’s Aqaba port has experienced a significant increase in transit cargo amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz caused by ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. According to port officials and terminal data, the conflict, which escalated into a regional war following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has severely limited commercial traffic through this vital waterway.

Previously a crucial passage for global oil shipments and other trade, the Strait of Hormuz has seen its commercial activity decline sharply due to heightened security risks. As a result, traders and shippers have sought alternative routes to maintain the flow of goods, with Jordan’s Aqaba port emerging as a key transit point.

Angshuman Mustafi, chief commercial officer at the Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT), reported a roughly 5 percent rise in container trade, driven primarily by increased volumes destined for the Greater Levant region and Iraq. The ACT noted that transit volumes surged by 155.1 percent during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

Port officials attribute much of this growth to increased trucking activity toward Iraq. Previously, many consumer goods bound for Iraq entered through the southern Gulf port of Basra. However, disruptions in shipping via Hormuz have led to a decline in commercial traffic at Basra. Consequently, containers are now being unloaded at Aqaba and transported overland by truck approximately 760 kilometers east to Iraq.

Drivers involved in this transit trade have also noted the uptick in activity. Moussa Abu Abdeh, a truck driver operating in the area, said that prior to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, work was sporadic, with only one or two transport orders monthly. Since the disruption, the volume of orders has increased to three, four, or five per month.

Mashhoor Al Jazy, spokesperson for the Jordan Shipping Association, expressed optimism that the current surge could establish Aqaba as a lasting transit hub. "This could become a permanent route, and not just a temporary one," he said, emphasizing Jordan’s strategic position and the potential to maintain this role even after the crisis subsides.

While Iran has carried out several strikes against military targets in Jordan, a close ally of the United States, the port’s growing activity reflects broader shifts in regional trade routes amid the ongoing conflict.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.