According to Reuters, Israeli ports are dealing with an increasing backlog of ships as the country ramps up its shipping operations, while military preparations for a possible land invasion of the Gaza Strip under Hamas control are also ongoing.
As explained, the adjacent Ashkelon port has been shut down due to the ongoing missile danger, especially in southern Israel. The major port in the area, Ashdod, has put limitations on the transportation of hazardous products, slowing transit times.
However, the Ashdod port has continued its operations, vowing to supply Israel’s economy without interruption, even amid wartime conditions.
At least three cargo and dry bulk ships bound for Ashdod have stopped in adjacent seas, according to data from the ship monitoring and marine analytics service MarineTraffic, and three additional ships, including an oil tanker and a container ship, are on their way to the port.
Presently, approximately 13 ships, including cargo, container, and dry bulk vessels, are docked within Ashdod port, as indicated by MarineTraffic data.
Reuters highlights that, the Port of Haifa has confirmed that it continues to operate over the weekend. It handles a variety of cargo categories, including dry bulk items. It seeks to carry a variety of commodities, including cargoes from Ashdod that were diverted.
Furthermore, in comparison to other ports, ships typically experience longer wait times when docking in Israel. In recent years, the government has been privatizing ports and opening new ones to enhance efficiency and competition.
