In the midst of ongoing military operations, most terminals in Israeli ports remain operational, leading to a rise in ship congestion.
Following an assault a week ago where civilians were massacred and numerous hostages were taken in an Israeli village, Israel has sworn to annihilate Hamas.
The country has been on the receiving end of intense rocket attacks in the southern region, including the closure of the small Ashkelon port, the terminal closest to the Gaza Strip.
Customs clearances have been delayed at Ashdod port due to restrictions on the transport of hazardous materials.
Despite the wartime situation, the port stated in a recent announcement on its website that it is operating normally and is prepared to continue supplying everything necessary to ensure there’s no shortage for the population.
As of Sunday, at least three freighters and dry bulk carriers heading for Ashdod port have halted their operations in nearby waters, and an additional three vessels, including oil tankers and container ships, are heading to the port, as reported by MarineTraffic, a ship tracking and maritime analytics provider.
MarineTraffic data suggests that currently, around 13 cargo ships, container vessels, and dry bulk carriers are moored in Ashdod port.
Separate data revealed that at least three cargo ships are on standby near Haifa in northern Israel. Both Haifa and Ashdod are Israel’s most significant and crucial ports.
Handling various cargo sectors, Haifa port has stated that it is working continuously on Sunday and will continue operations over the weekend.
Haifa port mentioned in a statement, “Within operational and manpower constraints, we are enhancing the maximum possible activity, including cargo redirected towards Ashdod.”
MSC, a leading container shipping company, noted last week that waiting times in Israeli ports have increased due to security checks and a shortage of labor, emphasizing that the situation can change in a very short timeframe.
On Thursday, the Israeli Ministry of Economy stated that while there are challenges in transporting goods and replenishing stocks due to increased consumption and workforce shortages, there is no supply shortage. The public has been advised not to hoard food.
The government has reiterated its zero tolerance towards price hikes.
Traditionally, the waiting times for ships arriving in Israel have been much longer than other ports. Over the past few years, the government has been privatizing ports and opening new ones to increase competitiveness and efficiency.
Maritime war insurance premiums surged more than tenfold after last week’s attacks. Some insurers are reconsidering coverage for Ashdod, but Haifa remains unaffected, as reported by industry insiders.
Although Ashdod and Haifa ports account for only 0.4% of global container throughput, any escalation crossing borders might introduce risks to significant maritime chokepoints in the region, as pointed out by the online logistics platform Container xChange.
“Critical commercial vessels, including container ships, might face disruptions in the crucial Suez Canal,” stated Christian Roeloffs, CEO of Container xChange.
“Similarly, the Strait of Hormuz, pivotal for oil and gas shipping, might also be affected. However, the extent of these impacts would largely depend on the duration and escalation of the conflict.”
One of the world’s leading shipping registries, the Marshall Islands Registry, escalated the security level for Israeli ports and their territorial waters to the highest level last week.
The registry warned of a “significant increase in the threat of collateral damage to commercial vessels.”
There’s a potential for the port congestion in Israel to intensify if the conflict with Hamas becomes protracted. Consequently, the Israeli government must prepare proactive measures to mitigate damages to the maritime industry.
Furthermore, the tension in the Middle East might escalate further due to this situation, necessitating a proactive response and prevention efforts from the international community.
While the impact on the shipping industry from this situation might be temporary, if the tension in the Middle East continues, it could have long-term effects. Therefore, the international community must consistently strive for stability and peace in the Middle East.