Hundreds of Jordanian merchants lose millions after cargo ship fire

Roughly 500 Jordanian traders are grappling with severe economic losses following a fire that broke out aboard the ASL Bauhinia cargo ship in January while en route from Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates to Jordan’s Port of Aqaba.

Khalil Al-Haj Tawfiq, President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, told Roya that the blaze destroyed 774 containers—both 20- and 40-foot units—owned by Jordanian merchants, with an estimated total value of around 60 million Jordanian dinars (approximately USD 84.5 million).

To pursue legal action, the Jordan Chamber of Commerce has selected the law firm BLK, following a review of several options, and will work in coordination with global maritime law specialists.

The Chamber has also formed a joint committee with affected traders to follow up on all aspects of the case, aiming to ensure a proper legal process is in place to recover the traders’ losses.