| Eilat's port has a problem compared to Aqaba's, which has been flourishing since its privatisation. The loss of the only container shipping line to Eilat, ‘Zim Star', comprising 13% of the Port's income, was a serious blow. Zim's abrupt decision to transfer its business to a port in Djibouti instead of that in Eilat amounted to pulling the rug out from under the latter's feet. The devaluation of the dollar is another problem the Port could not have anticipated. The lack of a railway line between Eilat and the centre of the country, together with the Port's location right beside the military port, are also drawbacks that limit its potential at present.
Moshe Mitz believes that the Port has been saved from going under due to efforts of its administration and by increasing the market in two main areas:
One is the import of cars to Israel via the Port, which maintains good relations with importers and agents. The Israelis' fondness for Japanese and Korean cars has caused this business to provide around 60% of the Port's income.
Another other main source of income for the Port is the export of chemicals such as phosphates and potash from the Dead Sea factories. This has increased because demand has risen, particularly in the Far East, while supply has fallen. The Port has greatly increased its scope in this branch, over 50% growth, according to Moshe.
Another growing activity is the import of beef cattle from Australia, where the cows are not yet mad, as well as a slight rise in arrival of cruises with an additional increase anticipated at the end of the year.
We asked Moshe Mitz who works with the Port?
"Vehicles, drydock, and such indirectly, as there are middle men. The Dead Sea. The reopened Timna Mines would be a good prospect for shipping its product. There was also a sugar plant intended for the area but the plant ended up not being built".
Moshe Mitz believes that the transport of merchandise (loose or in containers) between Aqaba and Eilat is a business object worth pursuing.
In addition to shipping, "The port is ideal for holding large events - there is a lack of venues suitable for huge gatherings and the Port can meet this need. It hosts the annual jazz festival in August, with over 10,000 attendees; the classical music festival in winter that seats 3,000; and large private events such as Microsoft's recent international convention and two other large events in recent months."
"The Port in an integral part of the city and maintains contact with the community. It occasionally it holds guided open days for groups such as students, elderly, workplaces, etc. The Port participates in many sponsorships, with the ‘green guide' recently put out by the Eilat Municipality being the latest example," Moshe adds.
When Eilat Today asked about the pollution issue, Moshe replied that the Port is conscientious about maintaining good air and water quality and is in regular contact with environmental groups and agencies. Pollution from phosphates and potash has become much less of a problem than in the past because the Port upgraded its machinery and instrumentation. Today there are sensors at relevant spots and when the content of one of these products in the air exceeds a given level, the machinery automatically adjusts to cut back the levels. Moshe points out that the Port has gone beyond the minimum demanded by the Administrative Order in reducing the pollution produced by its activities.
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Moshe came to this position with a rich background in management, particularly in communications, dating back to his military service in the Communications Corps. From there he advanced to positions as high up as general manager of Bezeq-kol, and vice-director of Bezeq's northern sector, responsible for all its activities from Netanya northward for many years. His last position was as vice-general manager of Cellcom's business division, where he worked for several years until the restructuring of the company's management led by its newly appointed director in 2006. At that point, Moshe's life took an unexpected direction. Moshe had started taking lessons to become a skipper at the Hertzliya Marina a few months before his layoff. One day while there, he happened to see a notice soliciting applications for the position of manager of the Eilat Port.
Moshe possesses education as well as management experience. His degree is in Industrial Engineering and Administration, with a BSc from the Ben Gurion University and a MA from Bar Ilan University.
Moshe is married with three children. He has not relocated his family to Eilat, so he works in Eilat during the week and goes home to his family in Ra'anana on weekends.
Asked how he is tied to Eilat, Moshe replied that he is in regular contact with people such as the mayor, the head of Dizengoff [shipping], the environmental agencies, the tourism administration (for activities and cruises), and would like to see joint activities between the City, the Port, and third parties such as Fashion TV.
Eilat Today asked Moshe what his vision is regarding Eilat. He would like to see shipping contracts to replace that of even just 1% of the Suez Canal. He wants a port that is flourishing and providing services, putting on events, bustling with tourists.
Moshe says that Eilat Port is a strategic boon to the country in times of peace as well as of conflict and its continued existence is vital, something the government committee itself that had been set to determine the Port's fate (Chayun Committee) recognised and reiterated in its report. Unfortunately, while the government talks very positively, it is less active - basically moribund - in actually providing assistance toward this strategic asset and a lot more could be done. Israel's other ports receive much more, with the Ashdod port having a railway line going right into the port as an example of infrastructure that is sorely lacking in Eilat. There is a ‘chicken or the egg' situation regarding infrastructure versus investment, with each needing to be good to support the improvement of the other. Moshe's policy is treading the middle path, finding the ‘golden mean' to keep the port active and profitable so that infrastructure can be added to make it even more so.
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