'Egyptian-Saudi bridge could harm shipping industry but boost Jordan's commercial outreach to Africa'

AMMAN — The maritime and shipping industry in Jordan and the region is likely to witnesses negative consequences if a bridge is built to connect Egypt to Saudi Arabia, the Arab Bridge Maritime Company said.

Meanwhile, the Jordan Chamber of Commerce said the projected bridge, announced by Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz during a recent visit to Egypt, will be a big boost to the national economy.

The plan to build the bridge over the Red Sea linking Egypt to Saudi Arabia will have some negative consequences on the shipping and maritime industry in general, Arab Bridge Maritime Company Director General Hussein Saoub told The Jordan Times on Monday.

"Although in the long-term the project may have a good economic impact, it will certainly harm the maritime industry and affect its growth," Saoub said.

Shipping between Aqaba Port and Egypt's port of Nuweibeh is also expected to be affected.

Prior to the so-called Arab Spring in 2011, the company used to transport some 1.3 million passengers between the two ports, mostly those going from Egypt to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj or umra (the greater and lesser Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca), Saoub said.

Currently, the company transports 60,000 trucks and some 300,000 passengers per year between the two ports.

"If the bridge is built, those passengers and trucks that used to go to Saudi Arabia via Jordan will be going directly via the bridge, which will be less costly and requires less time," Saoub added, noting that the industry was affected by regional conditions and the closure of some ports in the area.

Jordan Chamber of Commerce President Nael Kabariti disagreed, saying the Egypt-Saudi Arabia bridge will be a big boost to Jordan's economy and enhance its expansion to African markets.

"This is a strategic project. Jordan will be one of its beneficiaries," said Kabariti.

"The bridge will help facilitate smoother and faster flow of goods between Saudi Arabia, the Levant and the African markets, including Egypt. It will lead to less costs on merchants," he told The Jordan Times.

"Jordan is planning to reach out to new African markets, and having such a bridge will help Jordan fulfil its objectives in this regard," said Kabariti.