The Government of Jordan has made commitments for ambitious development programs throughout all sectors, but in particular with respect to Infrastructure, Water and Energy. Klaas Brouwer, Project Manager of Royal Haskoning is in the middle of the action in Aqaba.Sustainable port of Jordan""Though affected by world's economical situation, Jordan appears to be feeling the impact to a lesser extent. The container port in Aqaba has seen a continuous growth over recent years.Klaas Brouwer, Project Manager Royal HaskoningAqaba Container Port:Image Courtesy of Aqaba Development Corporation >> 14rangeinternational

The trade through Jordan, in particular through the Port of Aqaba is highly affected by the developments in Iraq and Aqaba, however, Aqaba is well positioned to take a good share in this trade which will have a positive effect in the port. Remarkably, there is increase in car imports as cargo transit to Iraq.Infrastructure The port of Aqaba is the only port in Jordan, In 2004 Royal Haskoning was contracted by Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) to study the development basis, strategy and phased implementation program of the Master plan for the Aqaba Industrial Zone and related South Port projects and ever since we have a permanent presence in Aqaba, providing engineering services to ADC in the development and realisation of the individual projects under this master plan", Klaas explains..Within an area of 27 sq km in the southern most part of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), the South Zone Master plan provides an overall 25 year phased physical development and investment framework which is important to the present and future economic development of ASEZ and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan."We did the preparation of a 25 year horizon master plan , detailed inventory and studies for refurbishment of the existing port facilities, even the feasibility study and design of the jetty and facilities for the New Ferry Terminal and conceptual design for a number of other port terminals", Klaas comments.He continues, 'The study provides an overview of the various challenges, physical development components, investment requirements and recommendations comprising the South Zone Master Plan. All developments in the ports of Aqaba and the related industrial areas have to be in full compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment, which was undertaken and approved by the Government of Jordan. The presence of high quality coral banks along the coastline of Aqaba and their value for nature and tourism put a high emphasis on sustainable developments. The need is also recognised to develop a rail connection between the port of Aqaba and the northern part of the country, in order to provide a high capacity and efficient transport system. The railway system will form part of the wider network throughout the Middle East, with connections to Syria and Turkey, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The connection to the port of Aqaba will require approximately 25km of tunnelling through the mountains around the port city.WaterFresh water is one of Jordan's main difficulties. Jordan is one of 'poorest' countries in the world with respect to natural fresh water supply. Actual stored volumes after the winter season are seldom reaching more than 50% of the capacity of the dams and far below what is required to sustain agricultural and other needs . Fresh water is mainly extracted from aquifers, but underground tables are lowering as there is insufficient replenishment by rainfall. In concern to this, a major project is presently undertaken to pump water from the large Disi aquifer, situated in the South-East (adjacent to the border of Saudi Arabia), to be transported to Amman, with a distance of approximately 325km. A 100 million cubic metre of water will be pumped yearly to cater the water needs of the state.EnergyJordan depends entirely on their import facilities to cater their needs for energy. Crude oil is imported through the port of Aqaba and transported by truck to the refinery in Zarga. "In conjunction with the overall Master plan development, we prepared the master plan for the rehabilitation of the crude oil terminal, including the increase of onshore storage facilities", Klaas explains.Gas is imported from Egypt through a pipeline crossing the Gulf of Aqaba South Industrial Zone and onward transport through pipeline to Amman area and to Syria. One of the major development schemes in Jordan is the realisation of a number of nuclear power plants, each to have a capacity of 1,000 MW."A project that bears a relation to various developments is the 'Red-Dead' project", Klaas explains. As a result of the extraction of water from the Yarmouk River, the extraction of approximately 300 Million m3 of process water by the Potash Company and the natural evaporation, the water level of the Dead Sea is dropping rapidly by approximately 1m per year. Studies are ongoing to reverse this by feeding water into the Dead Sea. One of the options is to run pipelines from the Red Sea to the Dead sea and use the level drop to generate energy. This study is a joint undertaking of Jordan, Israel and Palestine Authorities and being funded by the World Bank".Alternative Energy sourcesJordan is dedicated to investigating the possibilities of alternative energy sources. The country has a very high number of summer days per year and a number of windy areas, which opens up the possibilities for the use of both solar power and wind energy. Studies are ongoing to develop pilot projects for both forms of energy generation.Klaas Brouwerk.brouwer@royalhaskoning.com +962 779 506 045rangeinternational >> 15