Ashdod Port has remained operational and vital to Israel’s economy despite enduring missile and drone attacks since October 7, 2023, according to Shaul Schneider, chairman of the port’s board. Speaking at a diplomatic conference on Thursday, Schneider emphasized the port’s importance as a critical link in the country’s supply chain and its role in maintaining the flow of goods under challenging conditions.

Maritime transport accounts for 80% of global trade, and nearly all goods entering Israel—approximately 99%—arrive by sea. Ashdod Port alone handles about 40% of these imports, placing it at the center of the country’s economic resilience, Schneider said. The port’s continued operation during times of conflict underscores its designation as essential infrastructure that must remain functional regardless of circumstances.

The conflict’s toll has been felt personally by the port’s workforce. Schneider reported that two employees were killed on the first day of hostilities, five lost children, and dozens were evacuated from communities near the Gaza border. Despite these hardships, port staff have kept operations running, supporting not only Israeli military logistics but also humanitarian aid efforts to Gaza, as well as cooperation with the United States.

International partnerships remain a key component of Ashdod Port’s strategy. The port is connected with 28 ports worldwide and collaborates with 22 shipping lines, handling roughly 2,000 vessels each year. Schneider stressed that these relationships are crucial for the port’s ongoing functionality and called for greater government support of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a trade initiative designed to bolster regional cooperation and secure Israel’s position in global commerce.

In addition to logistical capabilities, Ashdod Port has invested in technological innovation. It operates a technology hub where start-ups can pilot solutions in real-world environments, focusing on cybersecurity, industrial systems, and security measures. Of the 52 start-ups that have gone through the program, 50 completed proofs of concept, 14 became suppliers to the port, and eight received equity investments.

“We created a real technology hub,” Schneider said, highlighting the port’s dual role as both an economic linchpin and a center for technological development.