Operator of China’s largest port Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) has won a tender to operate the new port being developed in Haifa Bay, Israel Ports Company said on Monday.
The construction of the new port is scheduled to begin this year and the port is expected to start operations in 2021.
According to the country’s Minister of Transport, Yisrael Katz, the entry of international operators into the Israeli port market represents a dramatic turning point in the country. He stressed that the Chinese team that won the tender will most certainly boost competition in Haifa.
Katz said that the Ministry of Transport and Israel Ports are determined to make the new Ashdod and Haifa ports the driving force of Israeli economy, operated in accordance with the international standards. Shlomo Briema, CEO of the Israel Ports, said that the tender for the Ashdod port is also soon to be completed. As informed, the contenders for the second port tender are two international companies: Dutch TIL and a group led by EUROGATE, German-based operator of container terminals.
World Maritime News Staff; Image: Israel Ports Company