Haifa port handled record TEU 105,000 in December

The port noted that since May 2009 the port has been experiencing monthly increase in container volumes
 
Haifa port, one of Israel's main maritime gateway & main hub ports in the eastern Mediterranean, announced last week that the port handled TEU 105,000 in December, a record breaking number in container handling.
 
In a press release issued last week the port noted that since May 2009 the port has been experiencing monthly increase in container volumes. The port added that during 2009, 1,120 container vessels called at the port.
 
The press release noted that during the last quarter of 2008 the port experienced its worst ever periods. In December 2008 the port handled TEU 85,347 compared to December 2007 during which TEU 103,000 were handled.
 
Mendi Zaltzman, Haifa port CEO, noted that "it is symbolic that the period in which the port handled record number of containers, coincides with the time when the new gantry cranes due to be installed at the new Carmel terminal arrive to the port. The new cranes will enable the port to keep providing its high level of service."
 
The Carmel terminal has a 700m main quay and a 250m secondary quay.  Water depth at quay stands at 15.5m. The terminal provides an additional capacity of about 600,000 box moves per year.
 
The Haifa Port Company has ordered 6 ship to shore gantry cranes and 12 rail mounted gantry cranes that are expected to be delivered during early 2010.