A 50-year strategic development schedule for Israeli port development has been sanctioned by the Transport Minister and submitted to the Israeli government for approval, news reports said.
The master plan was put together by the Israel Ports Company (IPC), which replaced the Israel Port Authority as the public entity responsible for the country's three commercial sea ports, Haifa and Ashdod on the Mediterranean coast and Eilat on the Red Sea.
This plan was developed over the past 18 months as a collaboration by a multi-disciplinary international and local team including port designers, marine and industrial engineers, economists and environmental specialists.
The IPC is aiming for a long-term development of the ports in a phased approach based on rapid growth in demand, with a focus on privatisation and enhanced competitiveness.
The plan outlines development of port and transport infrastructure along with enhancement of port related auxiliary services so as to boost transshipment as well as transit traffic.
One of the main projects will be the upgrading of terminals to accommodate Suez-max container ships with “dimensions similar to the latest Maersk vessels.” This step will ensure Israeli capability to handle the world's largest container ships.
Ahead of government approval for the plan, the IPC has released international tenders for design, consulting and supervision services required for the development of the first-phase terminal, which is expected to be operational by 2015.
The first stage of construction will include breakwater, quay, dredging, land reclamation and terminal development.
The master plan was put together by the Israel Ports Company (IPC), which replaced the Israel Port Authority as the public entity responsible for the country's three commercial sea ports, Haifa and Ashdod on the Mediterranean coast and Eilat on the Red Sea.
This plan was developed over the past 18 months as a collaboration by a multi-disciplinary international and local team including port designers, marine and industrial engineers, economists and environmental specialists.
The IPC is aiming for a long-term development of the ports in a phased approach based on rapid growth in demand, with a focus on privatisation and enhanced competitiveness.
The plan outlines development of port and transport infrastructure along with enhancement of port related auxiliary services so as to boost transshipment as well as transit traffic.
One of the main projects will be the upgrading of terminals to accommodate Suez-max container ships with “dimensions similar to the latest Maersk vessels.” This step will ensure Israeli capability to handle the world's largest container ships.
Ahead of government approval for the plan, the IPC has released international tenders for design, consulting and supervision services required for the development of the first-phase terminal, which is expected to be operational by 2015.
The first stage of construction will include breakwater, quay, dredging, land reclamation and terminal development.