New Labor Agreement Enables Ashdod Port to Handle Giant Ships Amid Ongoing Haifa Dispute

A new collective labor agreement was signed between the Histadrut labor federation, Ashdod Marine Transport Company management, and employee representatives to facilitate the operation of giant new ships at Ashdod Port. The agreement includes wage increases and work condition adjustments to enable workers to manage the larger vessels required for expanding port activity. This development aims to enhance Israel's ports' competitiveness in international maritime trade by accommodating bigger ships, increasing cargo volumes per voyage, and reducing costs and logistical friction.

Meanwhile, a labor dispute continues at Haifa Marine Transport, where workers have occasionally attempted to block ships from entering the port. The Ashdod agreement is seen as a significant step to professionalize and regulate work processes, ensuring safe and responsible integration of the new ships while preserving workers' rights and status. Key figures involved in the negotiations included Nir Eisenberg, Vice Chairman of the Transport and Sea Ports Workers Union; Pino Tsruya, CEO of Israel Ports Company; Avichai Hatucha, CEO of Ashdod Marine Transport; and senior pilots Dima Agrant, Maurice Mor, and Lev Zekrov.

Dima Agrant, Chairman of the Pilots' Committee, emphasized the importance of the agreement for adapting to the operational and professional demands posed by the giant ships. The parties hope this progress in Ashdod will positively influence ongoing talks in Haifa, where the labor conflict has lasted over a year and involved surprise strikes disrupting port operations.