Jordanian trade via the port of Haifa doubled in 2004. In a press release issued last week Haifa port management emphasized that during 2004 the port experienced 51% increase in motor vehicles moving through the port, from 3,101 in 2003 to 4,692 in 2004

According to information released by the Israel Ports Authority, over 50 candidates already applied for the job of director of the independent Ashdod Port.

Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce president and former director general of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor Mr. Dov Mishor said last week that trade with Asia will grow 30% to $14 billion this year. Mishor added that 20 years ago, trade with Asia

Asia's richest man ,Mr. Li Ka-shing, told the Israeli Foreign Minister during a meeting, that he was considering buying the state-owned ports of Haifa and Ashdod

As of November 2004, due to surge in Turkish – Israeli bilateral trade, Turkon Line will replace its container vessel M/V East Express by a larger vessel M/V Aynur Urkmez

"Fridenson logistic services", a leading Israeli heavy weight and project carrier, expanded its international activities in recent months. The company which specializes in plant relocation, recently completed 2 large turn-key industrial projects

The president of the Israeli chamber of shipping said, after an emergency board meeting, that the situation at the Israeli maritime gateways, Ashdod & Haifa, was worsening

Mr. Oded Tira, President of the Israeli Manufacturers Association called Zim line to refrain from using the port as their transshipment hub, until the port overcome its current difficulties