Khaberni - The representative of the vehicle sector at the Free Zones Investors Authority, Jihad Abu Nasser, expects an increase in the prices of vehicles imported from the United States, China, and the Gulf countries to Jordan, by about 700 to 1400 dinars per vehicle, due to the global increase in maritime transport fees prompted by regional tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Abu Nasser explained on Thursday that the increase in shipping costs has directly reflected on the import costs and operating margins for importers, driven by the rising prices of ship fuel, marine insurance costs, and container fees.
He indicated that the fees for transporting containers increased by 100% for containers coming from the United States, and 127% for those coming from China compared to the previous period, where the cost of a container from the United States rose from $4,000 to $8,000, and from China from $2,200 to $5,000.
Abu Nasser noted that shipping routes "were not affected", as ships coming from the United States pass through the Suez Canal, while those coming from China pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, confirming that the rise is due to the escalation in the costs of maritime transport, insurance, and fuel globally.
He added that the vehicles, according to the new prices, will reach the local market within a period of one to two months, pointing out that marine transport costs are the main factor in determining the prices of imported vehicles in Jordan.
He confirmed that Jordan's reliance on container ships and vehicles specifically designed for transporting vehicles makes the local markets directly affected by any fluctuations in international transport costs, which reflects on the selling prices to the final consumer.
