His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday launched two new Ship-To-Shore (STS) cranes introduced by the Aqaba Containers Terminal (ACT) to enable the port to meet market demand in line with its master plan.

The King visited the ACT headquarters in Aqaba Thursday and was briefed on the on-going berth expansion before touring the facility and inaugurating the STS cranes.

APM Terminals, which is in charge of the development, management and operation of the terminal, is extending the terminal's quay, and plans further investments in container handling and transportation equipment to increase the terminal's throughput capacity.

The ACT is implementing a number of upgrades to the facility, according to ACT Chairman and Director of the Aqaba Development Corporation Mohammed Turk.

Focus has been placed on the rehabilitation and training of the terminal workforce, locally and abroad, hiring specialised technical staff, reinforcing safety measures for staff, vessels and cargo according to international requirements and agreements, he said in his address yesterday.

The ACT 2009-2013 action plan calls for overall capital expenditure of $235 million, bringing total investment since 2006 to $335 million, according to Turk.

The 500,000-square-metre facility will double its wharf length to 1,000 metres as soon as the berth expansion project is completed, he added.

Two STS cranes, each capable of 18-container reach are now in operation, said Charles Menkhorst, CEO of APM Terminals Africa, Middle East and India Subcontinent region.

Despite the severe drop-offs in container traffic worldwide due to the global financial and credit crisis, ACT saw container traffic growth this year, Menkhorst added.

“APM Terminals is committed to developing and upgrading several terminals in the region, and ACT is one of the major projects we are focusing on to develop as a hub. Our strategy is to ensure port infrastructure keeps pace with market growth and we are taking the necessary steps today to ensure Jordan's future is served by a world-class port,” Menkhorst said Thursday.

“This expansion represents not only our commitment to the people and economy of Jordan, but to the entire Red Sea and Levant, as well as interior destinations such as Iraq,” he added.

At the Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts (RSICA), King Abdullah visited a class that was training in photography, lighting, production and acting. The King also was briefed on students' works in the past two years.

RSICA, which awards a master's degree in cinematic arts, began its first academic programme in September 2008. At present, it has 46 students from Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq and Jordan.

The King also toured the Special Education Centre in Aqaba and was briefed on its mission and services.