Maersk's standalone port operator APM Terminals (APMT), with Kawar Group, has opened an expanded Aqaba Logistics Village (ALV) at a ceremony attended by Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Transport Minister Ayman Hatahet.

The newly completed ALV Phase 2 facility includes 13,000-square metres (3.2 acres) of multi-purpose warehousing alongside 40,000 square metres (9.8 acres) of open yard, said the APMT statement.

ALV Phase 2 has been designed to allow the flexibility of handling a wide variety of cargoes as regional and international trading patterns continue to evolve in the Middle East.

ALV's developed land now encompasses 24 hectares (59 acres) with an additional 20 hectares (49 acres) of area expected to be developed within the next two years.

Aqaba Logistics Village CEO Hakam Abul Feilat said: "This modern multi-purpose facility represents a new step for the Port of Aqaba and the Kingdom of Jordan as we continue toward our goal of becoming an essential regional commercial and logistics hub".

Over the past three years distribution services at ALV have been increasing by over 40 per cent annually.

The new open yards will be used for storing containers, cars, timber and project cargo moving through the port. ALV's two distribution centre warehouses are close to Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT), which is a joint venture between APM Terminals and the Aqaba Development Corporation, and is managed by APM Terminals.