November 9, 2023

Israel-Hamas Concerns Update

Update concerning the current situation in Israel.

As of November 9th, 2023, Crane Worldwide has been closely monitoring the situation, and Crane Worldwide is in close contact with various Authorities and other regulatory agencies to monitor our operation.

In general, Israel’s air cargo and marine gateways for trade are functioning under signs of strain as the country’s war continues.

Ocean Freight

As of now, backlog at Israeli Ports grow as the nation intensifies its shipping operations. Some ships destined for Ashdod are being diverted to Haifa Port in north.

Port of Ashdod is currently operating in “emergency mode” status. Enty of vessels carrying HAZMAT of any kind is subject to prior approval of Israel’s Administration of Shipping and Ports.
Hadarom Container Terminal (HCT) working daily until 19:00
Port of Haifa, HaMifratz Port, and Eilat Port are operating as usual

Air Freight

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is operating as scheduled and is open for flights for all airlines, however, the security situation and staff availability could affect flights. Several major carriers have suspended flights or reduced into TLV:
Tarom, Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Air India, Turkish Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Air Canada, Emirates, Air France, Dutch carrier KLM, Germany’s Lufthansa, Finland’s Finnair, Norwegian Air, Portugal’s TAP, along with the Lufthansa Group (comprising SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Austrian Airlines)
Some countries have cancelled all flights into Tel Aviv: China and South Korea
Israel Civil Aviation Authority advised airlines flying to Israel to carry extra fuel as precautionary measure because of delays and changes air traffic routes.

What does it mean for You?

Crane continues to deliver cargo to/from Israel.
Due to the capacity and limitations, please expect shipment might be delayed.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Update

The 2023 Israel–Hamas war is an ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas. The responding Israeli counteroffensive was named Operation Iron Swords. The Israeli Federation of International Freight Forwarders and Customs Clearing Agents released the actual situation (please see attached) affecting export and import cargo movement on the fourth day of the war.

Customs and regulation authorities
All customs field offices and regulation authorities are operating regularly.

Border crossings
Today, October 11th, 2023, cargo operations at Allenby/King Hussein/al-Karama Bridge crossing is closed.
Cargo operations at Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein Border Crossing: the cargo terminal will be open between 08:30 to 17:00 for all goods except cement in bulk as well as other bulk materials.
Yitzhak Rabin/Arava Crossing between Israel and Jordan near Eilat is working. Crossings Administration of the Ministry of Defense serving cargo moving from Israel to the Palestinian Authority.

The following crossings will be open on 11th October 2023 for cargo moving from Israel to the Palestinian Authority only, but not for goods moving from the Palestinian Authority to Israel.

Tarqumiyah Crossing - southern crossing in Yehuda and Shomron
Gilboa/Jalama Crossing - northernmost crossing in Yehuda and Shomron
Sha’ar Ephraim - Ephraim Gate - a crossing in the center of the Yehuda and Shomron region

The following lists of goods are only allowed to pass through the crossings (west to east):

Medical equipment, drugs and medicines.
Foods including fruits and vegetables.
Wooden pallets.
Raw materials for the food packing industries.
Petrol.
Full list is available in Hebrew.

Airports
Ben Gurion International airport (TLV) stays open as foreign airlines cancel flights, but the security situation and staff availability could affect flights.

Major international airlines suspend flights to Israel amid war on Gaza.

Israel’s civil aviation authority said airlines should “review current security and threat information” and had changed some air traffic routes. The authority noted that delays should be expected and advised airlines flying to Israel to carry extra fuel as precautionary measure.

Several airlines, such as Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Air India, Turkish Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Air Canada, Emirates, Air France, Dutch carrier KLM, Germany’s Lufthansa, Finland’s Finnair, Norwegian Air, Portugal’s TAP, and Polish carrier LOT, along with the Lufthansa Group (comprising SWISS, Brussels Airlines, and Austrian Airlines), either cancelled or reduced flights to Tel Aviv’s international airport, Ben Gurion Airport. Other countries like China and South Korea cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv.

Seaports
The port of Ashdod is currently operating in “emergency mode” status.
The port of Haifa which also include the Haifa Bay port and Israel shipyard port is operating as usual.

Following an announcement about “special situation in the hinterland” in the geographical area in which Ashdod Port is included, the Ministry of Transportation has directed the port to regulate the entry of vessels according to the hereby procedure:

Entry of vessels carrying Hazardous Materials (“HAZMAT”) of any kind into Ashdod Port, is subject to a prior approval of Israel’s Administration of Shipping and Ports.
Shipping agents are required to send detailed list of all HAZMAT of any type on vessels scheduled to arrive at the port of Ashdod, 48 hours prior its arrival at the port. The above applies to both container ships and general and bulk cargo ships.

General

Israeli companies involved along the international supply chain, have upgraded their activities in recent days in order to address the situation and have taken the necessary steps to enable local importers and exporters to fulfill their commercial undertakings.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have closed main roads near the border with the Gaza Strip.
Officials have announced that schools will be closed in central and southern Israel on Oct. 11.
Heightened security measures and disruptions to transport and business will almost certainly continue in central and southern areas of Israel over at least the short term.
Heightened security is likely at all Israeli ports of entry over the coming days, and the status of border crossings, airports, seaports, roads, and rail services may change on short notice in response to conflict developments. Precautionary measures, such as evacuations, are possible in areas impacted by armed conflict.

What does it mean for You?

Crane Worldwide continues to deliver cargo to/from Israel.
Due to the capacity and limitations, please expect shipment might be delayed.

Crane Worldwide will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as soon as available.

Any more updates please visit Crane’s Trade Advisory Notices or reach out to Crane Global Trade Compliance: globaltradecompliance@craneww.com

October 10th, 2023

Update: Israel-Hamas concerns

Following the recent concerns between Israel and Hamas, Crane Worldwide would like to express our deepest sympathies and solidarity to the people and their families that are affected by this escalation of the conflict.

As of October 10th, Crane has been closely monitoring the situation and is in close contact with various Authorities and other regulatory agencies to monitor our operation.

The majority of the Israeli Ocean ports / Airports are operational but are subject to the instructions from Home Front Command. Should the situation deteriorate, the operational hours may change. Below are the updates regarding Air and Ocean freight as of October 10th:

Ocean Freight

As of now, Israel ocean ports, like Haifa port, are operational, but Ashdod port is close.

Air Freight

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) has resumed operations after flights were paused in the afternoon on 7 October. Most international carriers have cancelled their flights. Several major carriers have suspended flights into TLV: United, Delta and American Airlines – which normally run direct services from major cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington DC and Miami into the Israeli capital. Lufthansa and its subsidiaries, Air France, Iberia, and Air Canada.
Airlines are still operating but may change over time: El Al Israel Airlines, Challenge Airlines IL and Arkia Israeli Airlines. Turkish Airlines, TAROM, Ethiopian Airlines, European Air Transport, British Airways and Chinese Hainan Airlines.
Israel Airports Authority has announced that the airport, and another at Ramon, near Eilat, remain open and are operating both inbound and outbound flights – although these are thought to be evacuating Israelis and repatriating nationals.
US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urged national airlines and pilots to use “extreme caution” when flying at any altitude in Israeli airspace.