The Ashdod Port company reported last week an 8% rise in container traffic in 2005 compared with last year.
Ashdod port chair person Mrs. Iris Shtark noted at a meeting held last week for the Israeli maritime community that total number of containers moved through the port in 2005 was TEU 586,709, an increase of TEU 41,709, compared to the parallel period in 2004 (TEU 545,000). Shtark noted that the port experienced a 6% increase in import and 9% increase in exports.
Uriel Lynn chairman of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce said at the meeting that the port reform made it possible to increase efficiency and provide better service to foreign flag ship operators which decided to call at the port with their high container capacity ships.
Lynn added that improvements made by the port management have resulted in dramatic savings to the Israeli foreign trade sectors. 50 leaders of the Israeli maritime community participated in the meeting which was held on January 9th to discuss "New Opportunities in the Maritime Trade with the Palestinian Authority".
