Eilat Port privatization gets Transport Minister's support

The committee also recommended the laying of a railway line to the city, and in the longer term, to move the port to Eilat's north beach
 
Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz adopted last week the recommendations put forward by the Eilat Port development committee. the committee's main recommendation was to expedite the privatization of Eilat Port and complete the process by 2010.
 
The committee also recommended the laying of a railway line to the city, and in the longer term, to move the port to Eilat's north beach. It noted however that although economic studies show it wouldn't be economically feasible, the line is important to the future development of the region.
 
The laying of a railway line would involve building 175 kilometers of track. Minister Mofaz supported the recommendations saying that: "Not everything has to be judged economically".
 
The committee noted in its report that the government should find a strategic partner for the port and should make it a priority that the partner should be in the shipping industry, with the goal of boosting the port's business.
 
The Ministry of Transport appointed the Eilat committee in July 2007 to recommend ways and means to promote the Eilat Port and to expedite its privatization.
 
The Israeli cabinet will vote on the recommendations in two months.