Papo Maritime wins Eilat port concession

Papo maritime, is owned by brothers Avi, Rafi and Joseph Nakash, has agreed to pay the government NIS120m after bidding NIS100.5m last month (October) and improving on the offer twice.

The Port of Eilat, the only Israeli port on the Red Sea and located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba has significant economic and strategic importance. The port was opened in 1957 and is today mainly used for trading with Far East countries as it allows Israeli shipping to reach the Indian Ocean without having to sail through the Suez Canal.

The government published the tender for full-ownership of the Eilat Port Company\’s operation a year ago. The franchisee will operate the port for 15 years with an option to extend for ten more years. Exercise of the option is subject to meeting trade targets.