Israel Shipyards Ltd. will soon begin operating Israel’s first privately owned port in Haifa. After lengthy negotiations, the company signed an agreement with Israel Ports Development & Assets Company Ltd. allowing for the handling and storage of 200,000 tons of cargo a year.
Sources inform ''Globes'' that Israel Shipyards’ owners Shlomo Shmeltzer and Shlomo Fogel are negotiating to build another pier on the company’s land at an investment of NIS 20-30 million. Gold Bond Group Ltd. (TASE:GOLD), which they also control, will carry out this project.
The ministers of finance and national infrastructures approved Israel Shipyards’ port operations as part of the ports reform. The reform limits Israel Shipyards to handling 5% of cargo handled by Israel ports a year. The approval covers a 200-meter pier and four dunam (one acre) of storage space. The permit is for up to 50 years. In addition, Israel Shipyards will provide ship maintenance and repair services at its site.
Israeli Federation of Forwarders and Customs Clearing Agents (IFFCCA) chairman Shlomo Sharon said in response, “The operation of a private port can be good news about the start of competition, which will ultimately cut costs. An alternative to Haifa Port and Ashdod Port will improve service to customers, especially when port traffic is heavy.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on August 23, 2007
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2007