While the main Israeli ports of Ashdod further up the coast and Haifa in the north, remain open, shipping and maritime security companies are reviewing their operations for Israel.
Ashdod port said workers continued to work regularly despite the emergency situation. “The port’s berths are open as much as needed and we are offering a response to meet all Israel’s needs,” Ashdod port said. Hapag Lloyd said Ashdod port had imposed restrictions on the loading or discharging of dangerous cargo, which includes flammable, explosive or toxic substances, adding that the company was monitoring its shipping services to Israel. Shipbroker BRS said security had been stepped up at Israeli ports, adding that the principal threat to shipping coming into Israel was from rockets fired from Gaza and from “hostile forces” on the ground in Israel.
Ships pay an additional war risk premium for seven-day voyages to Israel. Since Saturday’s attacks additional premiums have soared ten fold to around 0.15-0.2% of the value of a ship – translating into tens of thousands of dollars of additional costs. This compared with a premium of 0.0125% earlier this year, insurance sources said. Israel’s leading container shipping carrier Zim said it was offering its vessels for “national needs”. “The company’s ships will be directed, as a first priority, to transfer cargo from anywhere in the world to Israel according to the requirements and needs of the Ministry of Defense and the government of Israel,” ZIM CEO Eli Glickman said
