Gard P&I Club informs that the situation in Israel and Gaza and the surrounding sea areas remains volatile and recommends assessing all port calls in Israel on a case-by-case basis.
Ports situation
According to information received from Gard’s local correspondents in Israel on 16 April 2024, Iran’s recent air strike against Israel has had no immediate port security implications. The country’s ports, including Ashkelton, Ashod, Haifa, Hadera and Eilat, continue to operate as normal, although authorities have implemented strict entry procedures for vessels carrying some hazardous materials. The correspondents further warn that GPS signal disruptions in Israeli ports and along its coast is likely to continue in the near future.
Advice is likely to evolve quickly
The security situation in Israel remains volatile and Gard strongly recommends ship operators and their masters trading to Israeli ports to carefully assess the risks involved in all port calls on a case-by-case basis and:
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make frequent checks with local sources of information, e.g. vessel’s agents, local authorities, and/or Gard’s correspondent, to obtain the most up-to-date and reliable security information available at any given time,
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follow advice received from flag administrations and port authorities regarding applicable ISPS security levels, and
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review relevant security and contingency plans and apply them accordingly.
Prior to getting underway, operators and managers should develop plans for responding to GPS disruptions that affect safe navigation, and ensure that seafarers on vessels heading towards Israel are aware of any imminent security threats in the region.
Decisions on crew shore leave should always be taken with the prevailing local security situation in mind.
As Israel is included in the Joint War Committee’s (JWC) Listed Areas for Hull War, Piracy, Terrorism and Related Perils, Gard also recommends conferring with the vessel’s war insurer well in advance of arrival at any Israeli port.