Ofer Bloch: 'Israel Lacks Strategic Supply Chain Planning'

One of the standout interviews at the PORT2PORT 2025 conference was a personal conversation between journalist Keren Marciano and Ofer Bloch, CEO of Maman Group and one of Israel's most experienced executives. Bloch, who previously managed the Electric Company, Tnuva, Yes, and Shufersal, spoke candidly about the managerial challenges in the Israeli economy and the gap between private initiative and national strategy.

"The private market in Israel knows how to manage. It improvises, initiates, and finds solutions. We saw this clearly during the war and the Turkish boycott crisis," said Bloch. "But on a national level, there is no body that looks at the supply chain from above. There is no long-term planning, neither in routine nor in emergency. This body simply does not exist."

Bloch called for the establishment of a state body that would include the entire national supply chain - fuel, food, nuclear materials, and other essential products - similar to the American model: "In the US, there is such a body, which operates immediately in a crisis and includes both private and government elements. Israel needs to adopt a similar model, with legislation and a dedicated budget. Otherwise, in the moment of truth - it won't be enough."

Bloch also addressed the Israeli economy's dependence on ports: "99% of the goods in Israel pass through the sea. Damage to one of the ports in the north or south is a national problem. Comprehensive planning is needed, including for trains and land transportation."

Bloch called for strengthening the field of cargo transportation by train: "Today, only about 7% of the containers pass by train, compared to 20% in the US and 30% in Europe. This is a clear weak point. The train is a strategic tool - it does not block roads and allows quick unloading at distribution centers."

One of the topics that has raised public debate in recent years - the establishment of another airport - also came up. Bloch did not hesitate to express an opinion: "There is no choice but to establish a second airport. Ben Gurion will reach its capacity ceiling in less than a decade. In my opinion, the right place is Ramat David. It is close to population centers in the north, with convenient access to trains and roads. But the decision will probably be made late."

In addition to physical infrastructure, Bloch also addressed the digital revolution and the entry of artificial intelligence into the world of logistics: "AI is not a buzzword - it's a reality. The supply chain has huge amounts of information, and artificial intelligence allows it to be processed quickly and improve processes. It's a tool that will change the industry, allow faster and more efficient service, and reduce costs over time."

Despite the impact of technology, Bloch does not foresee a dramatic employment revolution: "We are in an industry where physical and logistical work is still critical. Others may be more affected, but for us, artificial intelligence will assist, not replace."

"We must move to automation," Bloch concluded. "It's not just the future, it's a condition for survival. The costs of manpower are rising, and the only solution is investment in infrastructure and technologies that will shorten processes and increase efficiency."