Ashdod Port has continued operating under missile and drone attacks since October 7, 2023, maintaining a critical link in Israel’s supply chain, Shaul Schneider, chairman of the port’s board, said at the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference on Thursday.
“Eighty percent of the goods all over the world are transported by sea. Ninety-nine percent of the goods transported to Israel are transported by sea. Ashdod Port handles 40% of those goods,” Schneider said. “Ashdod Port is a critical infrastructure that should be operational under any circumstances—and we’re doing that.”
The port’s employees endured significant personal losses during the war. Two employees were killed on October 7, five lost children, and 55 were evacuated from communities near the Gaza border.
“We continued working and continued being the lifeline of the Israeli economy,” Schneider said. “We supported the Israeli military, we supported the American nation, we supported the humanitarian aid to Gaza, even though it was very tough dealing with it.”
Schneider highlighted the port’s international partnerships, which include 28 ports worldwide and 22 shipping lines, with approximately 2,000 vessels handled annually.
“This global network is very important to keep it going,” he said. “Israel should have alliances all over the world. We cannot operate alone.”
He called for stronger Israeli government support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), arguing that international cooperation is essential to maintaining Israel’s position in global trade.
Technology is another priority. Ashdod Port operates a hub where startups test solutions in real-world conditions, including cybersecurity, industrial systems, and protection.
“We created a real technology hub in Ashdod Port,” Schneider said.
Of the 52 startups that participated in the program, 50 completed a proof of concept, 14 became suppliers, and eight received equity investments from the port.
The initiative, Schneider said, helps improve efficiency and security while strengthening cooperation with international partners.
Written in collaboration with Ashdod Port