The Gard P&I Club highlights that the situation in Israel remains volatile and recommends assessing all port calls in the country on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate measures should be incorporated into ship contingency plans.
As of October 11, the Club informs that Ashkelon port is in principle closed, according to information received by its local corrrespondents. This port is closed, however, permission to berth or discharge cargo while moored at the port’s anchorage may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Ashdod port is still in operation but applies strict entry procedures for vessels carrying hazardous materials. Other Israeli ports, including Haifa, Hadera and Eliat, are currently reported to be unaffected and operating as before the conflict escalated. However, as the situation continues to evolve, the status of Israeli ports can also change.
Advice is likely to evolve quickly
The situation in Israel remains volatile and we recommend ship operators and their masters trading to Israeli ports to:
- make frequent checks with local sources of information, e.g. vessel agents, local authorities, and/or Gard’s correspondent, to obtain the most up-to-date and reliable security information available at any given time,
- carefully assess all port calls on a case-by-case basis, and
- review their relevant contingency plans accordingly.
Decision on crew shore leave should always be taken with the prevailing local security situation in mind.
