Haifa in northwestern Israel, the principal port of the country, on Wednesday started operations at its newly automated container port that uses "smart port" management system and technology of Shanghai International Port Group.
SIPG has invested in and constructed the automated port, and will operate it for 25 years.
"The construction and operation of the new port at Haifa is one important step in SIPG's international development," said Gu Jinshan, chairman of SIPG, at the ceremony held simultaneously in Haifa and Shanghai to mark the event.
With the integrated strengths of SIPG and Israel, the automated port, which is Israel's first new port in 60 years, will become a smarter and greener facility and serve as an important trade link between China and Europe.
Gu said SIPG will try to develop the new port as the benchmark in the East Mediterranean region in terms of competitiveness and influence.
Israeli Transport Minister Merav Michaeli called the inauguration of the port a historic moment, and said it opens a new gateway to the world and enables container vessels with a capacity exceeding 15,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) to go through.
Local residents of Haifa will appreciate the new opportunities the automated port will bring. It will create local prosperity and make a real contribution to Israel's neighbors in the Middle East, the minister said.
In 2015, under the Belt and Road Initiative framework, SIPG outcompeted international competitors to win the contract to operate the new port for 25 years.
Construction of the port kicked off in 2018, and will be completed in two phases. The first phase was a terminal with a length of 805.5 meters that is designed to operate 1.06 million TEUs annually. The second phase will be a 715.7-meter-long terminal with an annual container throughput of 800,000 TEUs.
Haifa's port is the hub of transportation and industries in northern Israel, a railroad junction along the Mediterranean coast, an important part of global shipping, as well as a vital pitch point related to the BRI.
The new port's state-of-the-art technology, a high degree of automation, efficiency, energy savings and top service quality will greatly ease traffic congestion at local ports, and facilitate cargo transportation in a much efficient and convenient manner for Israel and the nearby region, experts said.
SIPG is dedicated to enhancing business relations of BRI-related ports, and Haifa will emerge as a valuable channel for trade, the Shanghai-based company said.
Shanghai was rated among the top three international shipping centers, after Singapore and London, according to the 2021 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Center Development Index.
The port of Shanghai has been the world's busiest container port in terms of container throughput for 11 consecutive years. And the fourth phase of the Shanghai Yangshan Deep Water Port is currently the world's biggest automated container terminal.
Source: Chinadaily
Source: Chinadaily
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