APM Terminals, operator of Aqaba Container Terminal "the Red Sea Gateway to the Levant region " has announced plans to upgrade the supply chain capabilities of its subsidiary, Aqaba Logistics Village (ALV) to serve the growing demand from importers and exporters for more efficient logistics services. The IMF forecasts GDP for Iraq and Jordan combined at 8% annual growth for the 2014-2018 period.

ALV is currently 13 hectares in size and experiencing strong customer demand due its optimal location. The new facility will add 11 hectares and be operational by February 2015.

Sandeep Mehta, Regional Director of APM Terminals Inland Services, commented our logistics business in Jordan is designed to offer our customers better cargo visibility, lower transport costs and ideal market access while they are ramping up volumes to hinterland markets, especially the Anbar province and Greater Baghdad areas of Iraq. Our Iraq market access will now be the industry's safest, most economical and most reliable with this upgraded supply chain capacity.

Jeppe Jensen, CEO of Aqaba Container Terminal agrees that ALV's further development will help serve Iraq's high growth market: ALV's plans will add essential infrastructure to the regional supply chain and generate more efficient cargo support options for the customers of Aqaba Container Terminal.

As well as hinterland market access, the project will widen Aqaba's geographical reach as a Regional distribution hub. Key commodities targeted for this upgraded service are: cars, project cargoes, manufacturing materials, industrial supplies, domestic appliances and timber.

The upgraded logistics village will ensure the highest standards of safety, efficiency and operational performance are installed for the world's leading importers and exporters.

APM Terminals Inland Services has a JV partnership with the Kawar Group (60:40). The Kawar Group is a family-owned, Jordanian-based company, established in 1925 that has extensive commercial relations with all major shipping agencies.