The issue of efficiency – a significant component of the reform issue

Itzik Cohen, Executive Director of Port Ashdod, at the Calcalist Economics and Industry Conference: “We have introduced the topic of innovation as a strategic step at Ashdod Port, and only recently have 4 startups been awarded the Port of Marine Technologies Development Tender”

The interview with Itzik Cohen, the executive director of the Ashdod Port, began by addressing the impact of the Corona virus on port work. “We, too, like all the State of Israel in the various places, whether by land or by air, must be prepared and prepared for such situations. We received very neat and detailed instructions from the Ministry of Health on how to drive. At the moment, ships are still arriving at the port, when there is a very orderly process and very close examination – where the ship came from, how many people it has on, a statement from the captain of the ship what happened in the range 14-21 days before arriving at the port gates. The bottom line at the moment was no harm in the unloading and loading activity of ships arriving. All came in good condition according to the tests offered by the Ministry of Health. “

Cohen addressed the issue of privatization completed at Haifa Port, noting that “Ashdod Port has not yet reached the final line as Haifa Port has reached, but in our view, starting from the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Orna was invited, and through the Company’s management, the reform agreement is an opportunity to provide a lever for us to compete. Are ahead. One of the most important elements for us in the reform context is the issue of efficiency. The issue of efficiency is a significant component of the competition world, it is the one that will provide work for our employees, without which there will be a shortage of work. In order for us to face this uncertain future in the competition that begins today and look better in the future, we must come prepared. We insist that as part of the reform agreement there will be a significant streamlining component, and as part of the discussions we are underway today we enter the marathon together with the employees with the intention of being ready for competition, more efficient, leaner and know how to do it all in a really better way. “

Cohen also added about the steps being taken to prepare Ashdod Port for reform and to compete with the new port to be set up in Ashdod because “we in the company’s policy have followed a strategy that works in several directions. One channel, for example, is long-term relationships with strategic clients that we want to do long-term processes with; Another issue is the world of infrastructure that works amazingly at Ashdod Port. The company invested NIS 2.4 million in the company’s infrastructure, which they did not do in any other port. We will be a port with a deep water platform, with the most advanced cranes in the world, that will also operate automatically and enable greater efficiency. Just recently, we launched a tender for competition for startups to come to technological development in the offshore areas of Ashdod Port, and four startups have already won and are starting to implement various port developments. As for example, one development deals with the depth mapping field in the port so that the depths can be better managed, another company deals with artificial intelligence for the availability and maintenance of cranes more efficiently. In other words, we took the innovation issue and introduced it as a leading step in Ashdod Port. “