Jordan Border Crossings Extend Hours Amid Cargo Crisis

In response to a growing crisis at border crossings with Jordan, the Israel Airports Authority is extending operating hours at the Allenby crossing. Effective immediately, the Allenby crossing will remain open until 6:30 PM, an increase from its previous closing time of 5:00 PM. This change aims to boost cargo handling capacity and alleviate congestion that has developed at the crossings.

This initiative follows a similar decision to extend hours at the Jordan River crossing, which will operate until 8:00 PM starting October 4th, up from its current 5:00 PM closing. For months, these crossings have faced significant disruptions due to staff shortages, tightened security procedures, and reduced operations, leading to a sharp decline in cargo throughput and a backlog of trucks on the Jordanian side.

The Allenby crossing is a vital hub for trade between Israel and Jordan. However, since recent attacks and enhanced security checks, its cargo processing capabilities have been compromised. Some operations were rerouted to the Jordan River crossing, which has struggled to manage the increased volume. Data from the Manufacturers Association indicates that the Jordan River cargo terminal, which previously handled approximately 230-250 trucks daily, now processes only 100-150. By the end of July, over 600 trucks were waiting on the Jordanian side.

While the extended hours at Allenby are expected to provide more time for cargo processing, the challenge remains to translate these additional hours into a tangible increase in the number of trucks handled, especially given ongoing staffing issues and stringent security requirements. The impact on importers and exporters could be substantial, as delays and rerouting increase transportation costs. According to the Manufacturers Association, rerouting a truck via the Rabin crossing instead of the Jordan River crossing can escalate shipping costs from about NIS 1,500 to approximately NIS 6,000, with each day of waiting adding about $100 to driver expenses.