1. Please adhere to all specifications issued by the International Convention for Safe Containers - I.C.S.C, which are stipulated on the body of the container, specially the gross weight of each type of containers type, provided that the gross weight of the ordinary (40') container dose not exceed (30.5 Tons), since this weight is the maximum capacity of the straddle carriers of the ports corporation.
   
2. In case of receiving a container with weight exceeding the allowed limit of (30.5 Tons) per (40') containers, it must be reported to ports corporation prior to discharging for the safety of gantry crane and straddle carriers.
   
3. If a container with over-weight load is reported and its weight was within the range of the gantry crane's capacity, but exceeding the straddle's capacity, then it (the container) will be discharged on a trailer against cost of trailer in accordance with the tariff. Then the container will be off-loaded from the trailer , in a special storage site, using the suitable mobile crane also against cost of : the crane, the labors and the handling equipment, according to tariff.
   
4. If a container with over-weight load was not reported by neither the shipping company or the clearing company, then the following procedures will be applied:-

a) If the container on board the vessel was within the capacity of the gantry crane but over the capacity of the straddle, then it will be handled according to procedures mentioned in above paragraph (3), and the shipping company shall be responsible for any damage which might occur to corporation's equipment and the demurrage of such damage. Also the container with over-weight load will be weighed on corporation's weigh-bridges and the shipping company will be responsible for the weigh-bridges charges as well as for the expenses of transportation of container from quay to weigh-bridge.

b) If a container with over-weight load comes to port by land on a truck, then it will not be allowed to be off-loaded from the truck since the handling of this container by mobile crane will cause damage to truck and this will expose the corporation to claims for expenses of such damages.

c) The container will not be discharged from vessel if gantry crane can not handle because of its over-weight load.

Container Seal
Any container arriving Aqaba with its seal is broken or missing following to be noted :

• Vessel will pay to Customs Dep Jd 50.- for each broken/missing seal as fine.
• Cargo will be checked and it will be ensured that judgment of articles 45 & 68 of Customs Law are followed. ( see Customs fines and dues).

Container number
Incorrect container number in the manifest will result in payment of customs fines from Jd 25.- up to Jd 500.- .

Hazardous Cargoes
It is imperative that to place warning signs on dangerous cargo consignments in order to enable handling this cargo with care and to abide by Port's instructions for the handling and storage of dangerous goods.

Agents of vessels carrying Dangerous Cargo and Radioactive Elements to abide by the following imperative procedures :-

1. Notify the Ports Corp about all details of vessels carrying such cargoes i.e storage of such cargo, vessel's steaming time until vessel's arrival to Aqaba Port and all other pretinent details.
2. The Ports Corp must be notified in due course and prior vessels arrival which will enable the Ports Corp to take the necessary precautions and safety measures when unloading and storing such cargo.

Kindly be informed that in addition to the Instructions for Storage and handling of Dangerous Goods (copy attached) applicable in the Port, especially concerning Packed Dangerous Goods, which are based on the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Coed. The Aqaba Ports Corporation will apply ALL CODES relating to solid/liquid materials in bulk and liquefied gas, which are Internationally recognized. This includes the following codes :-

1. IBC Code
International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.

2. IGC Code
International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk.

3. ISGOTT
International Safety Guide for Oil Tanker and Terminals.

4. BC Code
International Code for Solid Chemicals in Bulk

All concerned parties should advise the Ports Corp about any kind of Bulk goods prior arrival Aqaba in order to take the necessary arrangements in accordance with the above mentioned Codes.

Wild Dogs
Any vessel calling Aqaba Port and carrying wild dogs on board, is requested to hold such dogs in special place on board while vessel is anchored at Port. This is to secure the safety of workers while boarding these vessels.

Transshipment via Aqaba Port
Transshipment via Aqaba port is acceptable and it has to be mentioned on the Cargo Manifest and B/L that cargo is in "TRANSHIPMENT". No specific documents required rather than normal requested documents.
Transshipment cargo will enjoy a 50% discount of Stevedoring and Port Charges (storage charges are excluded).

Clearing & Forwarding
Available through our own staff for local and in-transit shipments.

Freight Tax
It has been agreed by the Cabinet that owners/operators will be subject to 2.5% tax on gross export freight charges.

Radar
There is no Port Control Radar, but tug Ramm is equipped with radar and sounding apparatus.

Radio
Aqaba Radio Station , call sign JYO .Watch keeping hours are currently from 0500 hrs to 1700 hrs GMT The Station received all MF frequencies on 500 khz and 477 khz and receives HF frequencies from 0700 hrs to 0900 hrs GMT only on 8728khz . The radio station listens on VHF Channel 16.

Maritime Communication Station at Aqaba can provide telegraph , telephone and telex services from land to sea and vice versa ; both locally an internationally. The station can recive calls on phone number (+962-3) 316320 and telex messages on telex no 62325 Aq Radio Jo.
Transmitting / receiving frequencies as follows :

VHF
Aqaba Port Control at Harbor Master's Office listen from 0700 to 2400 hrs local time on VHF Channel 16, working Channels 10 and 12 for service messages. Pilots listen VHF Channel 16.

Weather forecasts
Twice daily, at 0730 hrs and 1530 hrs. GMT. A new radio station was completed on mid 1989. The new radio Station is working for 24 hrs and able to receive all types of communications ( Telegraphic, Telephonic, Telex , etc)

Density
Average density in the port is 1031.

Medical
The Health Department of Aqaba Port provides all medical services. A government hospital is available and is well-staffed.

Repairs
Only minor repairs may be carried out above the waterline. Divers may be obtained and a private firm carries out repairs to Navigational Aids including radar, Gyrocompass , echo sounder, wireless equipment etc.

Dry Docs
Slipway for maintaining port equipment.

Airport
Aqaba Airport links Aqaba with Amman International Airport 355 km. away one flight daily except for Thursday and Saturday when 2 flights are scheduled for each.
Also Aqaba Airport is linked with Amman Civil Airport (marka) by two daily flights.

Weather
Masters are warned that during the Winter months strong southerly gales can develop within 2 hours followed by sell. It proceed to sea, and remain at sea until the weather moderates.

Range of Tide
The range of tide is 1.2 m at spring tides.

Fire Fighting
The ports has its own fire brigade which includes 5 water rescue engine and 2 manual high capacity pumps, plus a variety of equipment such as breathing apparatus, etc.
The town of Aqaba has a highly efficient and well equipped fire brigade and it is 4 km. away from the port.
Aqaba Airport 11 km. away also has a fire brigade and assistance may be called for from ny of these whenever needed.