National Infrastructure Committee Advances Haifa Port East Development

The National Infrastructure Committee (NIC), led by Rabbi Nathan Elnatan, decided today (Monday, May 19, 2025) to advance the plan for the arrangement of operational areas in the eastern part of Haifa Port (NIC 118). The plan will address the future needs of the port.

The plan, promoted by Israel Ports Company, is intended to regulate the existing uses in the port, some of which date back to the British Mandate period, and to adapt its infrastructure to modern standards. As part of this, the plan addresses existing and approved uses, and sets guidelines for issuing permits, including up-to-date environmental instructions. Among other things, the plan allows the development of a new fuel terminal necessary for closing Bazan and for the future development of Haifa Bay, additional ports, and marine buildings. Thus, the plan provides a solution to the future needs of the port.

The plan is a continuation of NIC 119, which was approved in March 2025 for transfer to comments and objections, and regulated the uses in the western part of the port and set instructions for evacuating the old fuel port.

Chairman of the National Planning Staff and Chairman of the NIC, Rabbi Nathan Elnatan: "The decision to advance the plan is a significant step not only in the development of infrastructure in Haifa Port, but also in strengthening the national economy and improving the quality of life in the city and the region. This is a plan designed to regulate the port's activity, parts of which have very old plans from the days of the British Mandate, and to allow future development in the port according to changing needs, all within a unified and up-to-date planning framework."

NIC planner, Nava Elynsky-Radaei, congratulated the decision and noted that "the approval of the plan will allow the future development of Haifa Port while ensuring strict environmental quality standards, for the benefit of the entire economy and the residents of the area in particular."

CEO of Israel Ports Company, Pinchas Tzruya: "I congratulate the approval of the plan for the arrangement of operational areas in the east of Haifa Port, on which Israel Ports Company has worked hard. This is a significant step in strengthening the port's status as a vital economic center for the Israeli economy. The arrangement of the port areas will allow Haifa Port and Israel Ports Company to continue to develop port infrastructure and therefore the plan submitted includes future infrastructure development and will allow the port to continue to provide and develop advanced services while adhering to up-to-date and environmental standards. We are committed to leading the ports in Israel to a new era of innovation and sustainability."

The plan will now be transferred to the comments of the regional committees and the objections of the public.