Cruise ships bound for Israel have been rerouted to Cyprus, officials have confirmed, to avoid the conflict that has been taking place since Saturday.
According to Reuters, Port Manager Panayiotis Agathocleous stated on local news that a cruise ship arrived at Limassol port on Sunday, followed by another one on Monday. According to Agathocleous, it is anticipated that a third instance will occur within the week.
Generally, diversions to Cyprus are expected as conflict continues. As of the latest update regarding Israeli ports, NorthStandard P&I Club’s correspondent, Harpaz P&I, presented the following:
- The port of Ashdod is currently operating in “emergency mode” status.
- The port of Haifa which also include the Haifa Bay port and Israel shipyard port is operating as usual.
- The port of Ashkelon (used mostly by tankers) is not operating.
- The port of Hadera (mostly used by bulk carriers) is operating as usual.
- The Israeli Navy control all the sea traffic in all areas around and near the port of Ashdod and Ashkelon.
Furthermore, in a move to accommodate increased travel demand, aviation officials announced the arrangement of 11 additional inbound and outbound flights to Israel on Monday, Reuters reports.
