Jordan River Crossing Bottleneck Threatens Israeli Industry
Israeli manufacturers are warning of severe supply chain disruptions and production halts due to significant congestion at the Jordan River border crossing. The Manufacturers Association of Israel has formally requested the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) present a plan to increase the cargo terminal's capacity, citing reduced operating hours, extended inspection times, and hundreds of trucks waiting on the Jordanian side.
This crisis, exacerbated by the closure of the Bab al-Mandab strait to ships bound for Israel, has made the Jordan River crossing the primary route for imports from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Importers and industrialists report substantial financial damages, production stoppages, and a threefold increase in land transport costs. Ofer Vagshal, owner of irrigation systems company Tzerplas, stated that some businesses are at risk of closure because the IAA cannot recruit enough security personnel to keep the crossing open longer.
According to the Association, the Jordan River terminal, which previously processed 230-250 trucks daily, now handles only 100-150. This decline is attributed to shortened operating hours and longer inspections, partly due to a 40% increase in security personnel requirements and a shortage of guards facing burnout and reserve duty obligations. The IAA acknowledges difficulties in recruiting staff to maintain continuous operations and extend hours.
The IAA stated that the congestion is a direct result of heightened security measures at the Allenby crossing following two fatal terror attacks, which led to reduced cargo traffic there and a diversion of trucks to the Jordan River crossing. The IAA is working with police to increase daily truck processing, expand operations at Allenby, and enhance activity at the Rabin crossing to alleviate the backlog.
The Manufacturers Association has given the IAA 14 days to present a concrete plan with timelines for extending operating hours and addressing the staffing shortage. Failure to comply may result in legal action, including a petition to the High Court of Justice.
