Haifa stung by environmental fines

Some of the violations cited by the Ministry in violation of the Clean Air Law include improper unloading of materials in the port and a failure to install equipment to prevent dust hazards. In addition, the Ministry said that the port failed to take proper air-dust level samples during 2013 and 2014.

Yaron Mazuz, Israeli Deputy Environmental Protection Minister, said: “We hope that from now on, the port will work in a manner that does not pollute the air or the marine environment. We will continue to closely track and monitor the port’s activities, like we do other polluting factories in Haifa Bay.”

Port Strategy has approached the port for comment but has yet to hear back.

The Ministry said it has reduced the fine by 40% because it said the port took action to reduce the damage and has acted to prevent the same issues from happening again.

According to a report published by the Environmental Protection Agency in January 2016, air quality in the area around Haifa Bay has improved by 11% in the northern coastal city and by 65% since 2009.

Haifa’s Clean Air Act came into force in 2008 which mandated that 77% of the largest Haifa Bay factories needed to comply with stricter emissions controls.