From Aqaba, Jordan to Karachi, Pakistan - April, 2001

"...Then head for Aqaba, the Red Sea port of Jordan and organise a container between a few of you.

We actually shipped a Landrover LWB from Jordan to Pakistan, although the ships do a round route via Karachi and Mumbai before coming back. We had a 20ft container to ourselves (Full Conatiner Load - FCL), whereas with 2 bikes you may have to go LCL (Less than full Container Load), which may mean delays as you have to wait until they have other goods to fill the container with - assuming you don't team up with a few others and all ship together.

Don't plan on travelling on the ship though, as we didn't find anyone who would let us. We flew from Amman. The cost of a one-way flight to Mumbai or Karachi was between JD260-310 (1JD = 1GBP)

In terms of shipping agents, I have the following details. There are about a dozen shipping agents in Jordan as I remember, although there are only two or three actual shipping lines - agents all have a quota of containers to fill on each ship, so you will get different quotes from different agents, even though they may be for the same ship. The ships all sail once a week, and you have to be at the port three or four days before. If you want Pakistan, they go to Port Qasim (code: BQM), which is 30km east of Karachi. If you want Mumbai, they go to Jawarhal Nehru Port Trust in Nhava Sheva (code: JNP), which is 30km south of Mumbai. We got a deal for two cars, at US$350 each, including all port charges and customs in Aqaba. (I think we were lucky to get such a great deal) At the other end, we had to spend another $350 to clear the car, although the fees will vary.

Numbers I have are:

(Not sure, but I think they're called Kawar - we used them) 962 3021 4217
Maltrans 962 3201 4171
Elite 962 3201 2997, email ema-...@firstnet.com.jo
National Shipping Services 962 7953 8055 or 962 312997/8

(962 is the code for Jordan, 3 is the code for Aqaba)

If you really are stuck and don't know what to do then ring these companies up, as $20 on phone calls is much cheaper than a long ride south. I'm sorry if these numbers do not work, they are from my diary a year ago.

Don't forget also, that if you get to Aqaba then you also have the choice of shipping to Africa instead...

If you want more info, please contact me and I will do my best to help. I know what it's like to be stuck!