The Israel Ports Company received the approvals of the planning and construction institutions for the operation of the new nuclear conveyor belt in Ashdod and it will begin to operate regularly and fully for the benefit of the entire Israeli economy.
We note that the grain conveyor belt in Ashdod is a flagship project of Hani, and as part of it, kernels will be unloaded from nuclear ships moored at the docks of the Ashdod port to the grain conveyor belt that will transport the kernels via belts to the Ashdod silo located approximately 2.2 km away.
An amount of about NIS 240 million was invested in the project and it is expected to bring about a revolution in everything related to the transportation of grains from the sea ports to customers in central and southern Israel.
Bechani estimates that the construction of the conveyor belt and its use are expected to lower the prices of grain transportation in Israel for importers, carriers and consumers.
We emphasize that the innovative conveyor belt in Ashdod is a project that has been in progress for about 3 years and has two tracks that enable the ability to transfer grain at a rate of 600 tons per hour, and 1200 tons per hour, that is, at a maximum rate of 1800 tons per hour. The conveyor belt is located at platform 21 in Ashdod port for a length of about 300 meters and from there it continues for another 2.2 km to the silos. The conveyor belt is located along its entire length on pillars at a height of 5.5 to 14 meters above the ground.
Hanei noted that the conveyor belt replaces the unloading method that was used until now at the Port of Ashdod, unloading that transports nuclei using dozens of trucks connecting the port to the silo, thus allowing the transfer of nuclei in a more direct, faster and efficient way. Instead of manual unloading, the conveyor belt will be operated automatically, while maintaining high standards of environmental quality.
According to Hani data, about 5 million tons of different types of grain are imported into Israel every year, and according to estimates, the operation of the conveyor belt will result in a reduction of about 40% in the movement of trucks loaded with grains that leave the north for the benefit of customers in central and southern Israel. The access to the ports in Haifa, and in addition will divide the load of importing the kernels and its products between the north of the country (Haifa) and the south (Ashdod), in a way that may reduce tens of thousands of trucks a year from the country’s roads. Hanei noted that this reduction is expected to have a very positive effect on traffic loads, road safety and air pollution In addition, this will lead to a reduction in transportation rates that will ultimately also reach the pocket of the final consumer.
As mentioned, the new conveyor belt will be operated, until the end of May 2028, by the Logistics company from the Maman group, which operates the silo at the back of the Ashdod port. At Logisticar, they recruited and trained employees to operate the conveyor belt, and at the same time they are working on upgrading and implementing an advanced information system, which will enable professional and efficient management of the silo and the conveyor belt.
The CEO of the Israel Ports Company, Yitzhak Blumenthal, said this morning: “The nuclear conveyor belt in Ashdod is a flagship project of Hani and has the potential to greatly influence the war on the cost of living in Israel. The project combines the values of sustainability that Hani advocates. Beyond the financial savings for importers, carriers and consumers, this is also important news for the environment and for the reduction of truck traffic in the seaport area of Haifa.”
CEO of Logisticar, Ze’ev Mansour added: “We are switching to fully operating the grain conveyor, 18 hours a day, 6 days a week. The operational meaning is that the unloading time of a grain ship at Ashdod port is going to be shortened by about 75% compared to the current rate. If we add to that, that as of February 9, Berth 21 in the port of Ashdod will be designated as designated for grain ships, then we can say with certainty that we are on the way to an operative solution to a historical distortion in Israel, which encouraged the grain ships to unload the grain in the distant port of Haifa.”
Mansour also adds, “We are in direct contact with the heads of the grain importers union and are working with them with full transparency in order to maximize the efficiency of the process of receiving and unloading grain at Ashdod port and adapting it to the annual growth rate in the industry. At the same time, we are working with Hani on plans to increase the capacity of the silo, Adding unloading cells to the trucks and upgrading the control and control systems of the conveyor belt. All of these in combination will allow importers to significantly reduce the cost of transporting the grain at the end of the day and will directly contribute to lowering the cost of living in Israel.”