Ashdod and Haifa ‘accused’ of box handling oligopoly
The head of Israels Anti-Trust Authority has written to both Haifa port and Ashdod port to ask them to meet him prior to them being accused of operating a container handling oligopoly.
According to Professor David Gilo, the two ports effectively act in concert in the loading and unloading of containers.
This announcement was made against a backdrop of increasing disquiet at the way both ports are run, where port workers earn unusually high salaries.
Prof Gilo has also asked workers’ committees at the ports to desist from trying to derail the privatisation process, assuring them that neither port company will be allowed to operate a projected new port development that will take place in either Ashdod or Haifa.
In April, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans put forward by the transport minister, Yisrael Katz, which would ultimately see a private operator in place once the new port was up and running.