Israel Ports Development & Assets Company Ltd. (IPC)
is responsible for the development of Israel’s three commercial seaports in Haifa, Ashdod and Eilat and for providing them with the necessary infrastructure which will allow them to efficiently and competitively handle Israel’s international maritime trade. In addition to developing some of the country’s largest infrastructure projects, the company manages the government’s assets allocated for the facilitation of its international maritime commerce.
As an arm of the State, the IPC carries out its mission placing great weight on the nation's priority to develop modern, competitive and efficient ports that would facilitate economic growth. The ambitious development program promoted by the company will position Israel’s ports among the best in the Mediterranean and will change the face of Israel’s port industry.
The IPC commenced operations during February 2005 when the Israeli government broke up the existing Israel Ports Authority (IPA) into four government- owned companies: three companies to operate each of the seaports and the IPC to hold, manage and develop port infrastructure and properties.
In addition to its other responsibilities the company acts in an advisory capacity to the Minister of Transport and the Shipping and Ports Administration in regard to port infrastructure planning, as well as other matters related to port service levels.
Investing in the Present – Looking to the Future
Israel’s seaports handle 98% of the country’s import and export cargo. By the end of the next decade, annual cargo traffic is forecasted to grow from 40 to 65 million tons. Domestic import and export container traffic is expected to climb from 2 to 6 million TEU by 2030. The development of port infrastructure to handle this growth is critical to the nation's continuing economic growth. The IPC faces the enormous challenge of providing the infrastructure required to handle the estimated traffic. In order to meet that challenge, it has prepared a new strategic port development master plan calling for further development following completion of the projects currently being carried out. Parallel to the development of the master plan, in light of the critical importance of the ports to the country's economic vitality, the IPC
Has been analyzing impediments to the smooth flow of international trade and is active in promoting solutions that will improve the nation's logistics chain.
Strategic Development Master Plan
The IPC’s long term strategic development master plan has a 50 year planning horizon, with interim short and mid-term development stages. The plan creates a framework for realizing one of the port reform's primary goals - the involvement of the private sector and stimulation of a competitive environment. On May 27, 2007, the Israeli government authorized the IPC to move ahead with first phase development planning and design of new container terminals in each port estimated to cost $1 billion each, with the goal of bringing the terminals into operations during the coming decade.
Projects Underway
The company is well into a NIS 5.9 billion multi-year development program which includes its two flagship projects: Ashdod's "Eitan" project and Haifa's "HaCarmel" project:
Ashdod's "Eitan Port" Terminal (named after Lt.Gen Rafael Eitan )
is one of the country’s largest
infrastructure projects with a total estimated cost of NIS 3
billion. The Ashdod Port Company commenced operations at the facility, during May 2005. The facility features a 1,150 meter extension to the main breakwater and 1,700 meters of new quay with up to 15.5m water depth alongside. State-of-the-art technology and new computer systems have been deployed to facilitate more efficient handling, storage and delivery of cargo. The IPC is currently moving ahead with the last two elements of the project: a new security and operations gate complex and a new railway terminal.
The Haifa's "Hacarmel" Project –As part of the expansion plan, the new terminal construction was completed in May, 2009. The NIS 1 billion project includes the construction of a 700 meter container terminal with waterside depth of 15.5 meters. The new terminal will be equipped with super post-Panamax cranes and rail mounted container stacking cranes, currently under order by the Haifa Port Company. A state-of-the-art gate will feature advanced technology that will allow for automatic identification of cargoes, vehicles and drivers.
In addition to the above two projects, the IPC is moving forward with many other construction and development projects in the operational and hinterland areas at the three ports.
Property Management, Maintenance & Supervision
As part of the port reform legislation, most of the port property owned by the IPA is being transferred to the IPC. One of the IPC's responsibilities is the management of these state assets, including supervision and oversight of their use and maintenance. It also plans long-term national real estate requirements for port activities and takes the appropriate steps to purchase necessary land.
The Israel Ports Company manages real estate contracts covering such facilities as the Israel Shipyards, Haifa and Ashdod grain terminals, Oil & Energy Infrastructure Company's distillate terminal, Gadot Chemical terminals, Gadot Storage & Transportation facilities, Dead Sea Works, Rotem Amfert Negev, Overseas Commerce and others. The company also manages a marina with facilities for 400 yachts and fishing vessels adjacent to Haifa Port.
High Tech Ports
In collaboration with the port operating companies and others, the IPC is responsible for upgrading technology deployed at Israel’s ports. The goal of this upgrade is to provide Israel's ports with the necessary tools to improve productivity and create the IT infrastructure allowing the ports to compete effectively, both in terms of price and service. Some of the most important technology projects include:
State-of-the-Art Port Gates: The IPC is developing new port gates based on the latest technology which will allow for the automatic identification of arriving trucks, drivers and containers. The gate system will verify whether access is authorized and will provide clear directions to the truck driver as to activities he is authorized to carry out during the specific visit. The new gates will improve and upgrade port security as well as operational efficiency.
TOS – Computerized Terminal Operations System: The TOS provides Ashdod port with new planning and management tools to improve utilization of berths, stacking areas, equipment and manpower.
Israel Maritime Community Supply Chain Management: IPC leads, on behalf of the Israeli Shipping & Ports Administration and Customs, a national effort to re-engineer work processes and procedures through the use of standard EDI messages between members of the maritime community. Over the next five years some one million dollars will be invested in this effort.
National Port Data Bank: In collaboration with the Shipping and Ports Administration, Israel Customs, port companies and the shipping industry, a national data bank will be set up to provide a national information database on port sector traffic and activities.
Environmental Policy
The IPC has defined the preservation of the environment as one of its primary values. Careful attention and consideration is given to the environmental impact of its proposed development plans. The company is committed to carefully coordinate its plans with the Environmental Ministry and rigorously adheres to relevant Israeli laws and regulations and international environmental protocols. It has committed significant resources to preventing damage to the environment.
International Activities
IPC is a member of various international organizations including the International Association of Ports & Harbors (IAPH); European Seaports Organization (ESPO); American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA); International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME); the International Safety Panel of ICHCA and others.