Port Overview 

Ashdod is the main port recommended for use by the humanitarian community and the economic gateway to the State of Israel. 40 km from Tel Aviv, it is the closest to the country’s major commercial centers and highways. Ashdod Port has been operating since 1965 and is one of the few ports in the world built on open sea. Ashdod Port handled around 1,612,000 TEUs in 2021. The cargo unloaded and loaded in 2021 amounted to 23.58 million tons. During 2005, Ashdod Port inaugurated Eitan Port, the country’s first fully computerized container port. One of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Israel, the Eitan Port is a deep-water port, includes a 1,150m extension to the main breakwater and 1,700m of new quays with water depth up to 15.5m. It was recently decided to build a rail terminal at Eitan Port, which will grant access to surrounding industrial centers. Ashdod Port provides customers with a full package of services including logistic services such as: Bringing ships into port and anchorage, providing full ship services; Unloading, storage and loading cargoes; Emptying and storage of containers. The Port’s vicinity has bonded warehouses, citrus fruit and agricultural produce warehouses, cold storage, a grain silo, container repair and cleaning services. An office complex at the Port’s in land terminal. ‘Eitan Port’ is among the most advanced ports in the world with its $6 million Terminal Operating Systems (TOS). 

Port website: Ashdod Port

Key port information may also be found at: Maritime Database

Port Picture 

 

 
Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

For information on OPT Port of Ashdod contact details, please see the following link: 4.4 Palestine Port and Waterways Company Contact List (Israel)

Port Performance  

 

 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following links: 

Ashdod Port Website - Containers

Ashdod Port Website - Rates

The TOS system 

• The TOS System performs dock coordination, actual loading and unloading management in accordance with the ship’s layout and the supervision of work rate, identification, and solution of operating problems. 
• From a central control room, the system commands the overall operation of the terminal: 
• The process of unloading and loading of the ships. 
• Operation of the containers’ storage areas (reception, storage, delivery of containers to ships and trucks). 
• Entry and exit of trucks thru the gate area. 

The main characteristics of the TOS System 

• An electronic message system – storage certificates for empty / full containers, accompaniment certificates, delivery certificate for an empty container, and message of driver arrival to the truck. 
• Management of expected imports containers and the ship’s voyage for unloading (BAPLIE). 
• Management of the storage areas in accordance with the specifications of the individual container – “full” as well as “empty”. 
• Management of export containers lists and allocation of spaces. 
• Planning the ship’s loading (MOVINS). 
• Providing optimal preference to Bridge / Gate / Forklift cranes. 
• Optimal allocation of ships for work along the terminal docks, distribution of working hands and cranes 

Ashdod Port Website - TOS System

Berthing Specifications 

Ashdod Port Website - Watercraft 

General Cargo Handling Berths 

Port Handling Equipment 

The port equipment is managed by the government. 

Ashdod Port Website - Cranes and carrying ability on the piers

Container Facilities 

Customs Guidance 

For information on Port of Ashdod Customs details, please see the following link: 1.3 Palestine Customs Information

Terminal Information 

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING 

Three of the piers of the Port of Ashdod serve for the conveying of bulk cargo and various types of liquids. 

The bulk and liquid piers are located in the southern part of the Port, the systems are fully computerized and operate under the most stringent safety requirements. The bulk facility is responsible for the export of minerals from Israel to Europe and America (except for acid to Asia and India). 

The bulk facility operates 24 hours per day in 4 shifts under the “warm seat” method. The capacity of the warehouses is about 1 million tons and it includes additionally, a pool and acid tanks. 

The facility has two piers for potash and phosphates and 4 for the loading of acid. The work rate at the bulk piers is between 500 and 1,200 tons per hour, in accordance with the type of cargo. 

Ashdod Port Website - Bulk Facility 

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL 

Overseas Commerce Ltd - Overseas Commerce Ltd. operates container terminals in the hinterland of the Ports of Ashdod and Haifa. Overseas facilities comprise a total area of 421,000 m² of open and covered space. In addition, Overseas provides bonded and free storage services well as value-added services and distributions. Overseas provides management, storage and handling of goods under refrigerated conditions as well. 

Hinterland Information 

The Port operates a new central automatic gateway for trucks, which utilise use of biometrics and other systems for identifying drivers, trucks and containers. The project includes: 32 lanes each with weighing machinery for trucks; camera tracking of trucks; Internet applications that will enable on-line response to drivers’ questions and SMS updates. 

Port Security 

Link to ISPS Security Level for Ashdod Port - February 2019