Gaza Commercial Seaport PLO began preparing the studies
Gaza Commercial Seaport Ø PLO began preparing the studies for establishing seaport in Palestine since 1993 Ø in 1998 the PNA completed all necessary studies for the establishment of the port. Ø Since the Oslo agreement in 1993 the negotiations for the implementation of this project has not been approved by Israeli Ø The project approved in September 1999 through the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement.
Project finance Ø Total implementation cost of the first phase I is about U. S. $ 70 million. Ø The Governments of the Netherlands and France financed a major part of the costs (Netherland 22, 843, 296 and France 19, 744, 902 Euro) Ø The PNA take advantage of a loan from the European Investment Bank (23, 678, 300 USD) Ø Palestinian National Authority to cover part of the cost of the project in addition to the acquisition of land (4. 5 m. USD and 0. 25 m Euro)
Development in the project implementation Ø On April 2000 the Palestinian National Authority with Dutch French conglomerate called (EGDG 2000) signed the port construction contract Ø The contract entered into force on July 2000, and the project implementation period is 25 months Ø the work on the project Continued until October 2000 where contractor withdrew claiming the applicability of force majeure Ø On 17 and 18 September Israeli tanks destroyed the project site Ø In May 2003, the contract has broken with the contractor Ø Currently the Ministry of Transport Communicating with the donors to re-activate this strategic project
Maritime Transport Integrated System Alternatives transport by short shuttling service Dr. Ali Shaat Eng. Ziad Obied Eng. Saed Aboesa Eng. Ashraf Y. Abed Eng. Mohammed Abo. Oun
Vision To develop a distinctive transport sector, which provides necessary services to regulate a highquality transport industry in order to contribute in developing and sustaining Palestinian economy. . .
Aims Ø To establish reliable, efficient, integrated, and environmentally sustainable maritime activities Ø To implement intermodal door-to-door connections within the border logistics and supply chain management systems.
Problem identification Ø Palestinian area Consist of two geographically separated regions, West Bank and Gaza Strip Ø Despite the long seacoast of the Gaza strip, international trades are completely depending on the neighbouring countries, especially Israel.
Problem identification Ø The security concerns of the Israeli has an impact on Ø Restriction on The movement and access at the West Bank and Gaza Strip Ø The international borders of the Palestine Ø The multiple obstacles and procedures facing the Palestinian traders contribute significantly to: Ø Hamper trade Ø Increase Costs Ø Unreliable logistics services Which reduce the ability to compete in the international market
Restrictions on the movement Ø Internal movement within the West Bank Ø Movement between the West Bank and the Gaza strip Ø Movement across the West Bank and Gaza to Israel and global markets Ø Direct access to Arab markets and global markets via Egypt and Jordan
Average transport cost for trucking Origin Border crossing Port Transport Total Ashdod $322 $589 $911 Haifa $384 $588 $972 Ashdod $161 $589 $750 Haifa $345 $588 $933 Port Said $546 $438 $984 West Bank Gaza (USAID & World Bank, December, 2004)
Impact on Trade Ø Delays and uncertainty at the border crossings Ø Lack of flexibility in the routing of goods Ø The need to use Israeli trucks in Israel Ø Multiple inspections per shipment Ø Limitations on the personal travel of Palestinian exporters
Economic approaches for logistic solution during the interim period 1. Development of the border crossings with Israel to satisfy the condition of movement across the West Bank and Gaza Strip 2. Enhancing new trade routes with Egypt and Jordan to satisfy the condition of direct access to the regional and global markets 3. The reconstruction of Gaza Seaport and Airport as the best option to satisfy the previous conditions 4. Connecting the West Bank and Gaza Strip ( the territorial link) to satisfy the condition of movement between the Gaza Strip and West Bank
1. Border crossing approach Ø Current system Ø Extra handling costs, delays and damages to goods Ø Uncertainty in the delivery of exports Ø Just in time not considered Ø Excessive trucking charges
Container transfer system Ø Proposed system
2. New trade routes Ø Short-Sea shuttling service between Palestine and Egypt Ø Temporally using the existing infrastructure of the Gaza fishery port Ø The use of Egyptian Seaport ( ELArish) Ø The project comprises preparation of an efficient maritime traffic system
The advantages of using EL-Arish port Ø It is a small port & does not have that much of traffic Ø It is the nearest seaport to Gaza strip and Palestinian agents can freely work jointly with their Egyptian counterparts. Ø Cost wise it is cheaper than any other nearby seaport
The current status of Gaza Fishery port Ø The diameter of the basin is around 400 m Ø The water depth of the harbor basin is about 5 m Ø The port entrance channel is around 70 m Ø Around 50, 000 sq. m reclaimed land make the accommodation of the cargo handling activities possible Ø Lack of infrastructure and superstructure
Project objectives. . 1 Ø Consider the first physical step towards linking Palestine regionally and internationally Ø Providing Palestine with sea transport facilities would constitute a vital instrument to promote trade Ø No delays and no damage to goods will occur compared to current ones Ø Reduce all direct and indirect costs and time for the handling and transporting goods
Project objectives…. 2 Ø providing valuable information and data needed for management and operation toward the commercial Gaza Seaport Ø project will terminate the illegal trading through underground tunnels Ø can acts as a logistic centre “bounded area” to serve Palestine
Fishery port development requirements Ø Technical needs to operate the project ØDevelopment of a port marketing strategy ØMaintaining and interpreting traffic and shipping information ØProgramming future port operation expansions ØDrafting of regulatory matters relating to the seaport operations
ØTariffs that will not only attract the target cargo but also create opportunities for private sector involvement. ØWaste management strategy. ØDevelopment of capacities for MARPOL 73/78 implementation and enforcement ØDevelopment of national regulation for fishing vessels. ØDevelopment SAR (Search and Rescue) procedures in Palestine
Ø superstructure needs Ø Forklifts Ø Flatbed trailers Ø Tractors Ø Mobile cranes Ø Buoys and beacons and workboat Ø Complete workshop with tools Ø Stevedoring gear e. g. slings, ropes, pallet hooks and pallets Ø Miscellaneous e. g. radio and telecom
Ø infrastructure needs Ø Reconstruction of the existing breakwater Ø Reconstruction of the existing quay Ø Dredging the basin area Ø Transport infrastructure Ø Constructing cargo handling terminal, administrative building etc. .
3. Territorial link between the West Bank and Gaza Strip Ø It would enhance large effective internal market to guarantee full economic integration Ø Provide pathway between the economy of the West Bank and the future Gaza Seaport Ø Reduction in cost and time
The Future Commercial Gaza Seaport Ø The Seaport would be the engine for economic growth at Palestine Ø The seaport should be integrated with rail/road networks to reduce the time and transactions cost and enable door to door services.
Ø The Gaza Seaport will be able to establish connections with the global ports
Distance between main Eastern Mediterranean ports and Gaza Seaport Port Distance (nm) Days at Sea Dwell time At port Ocean Freight rate/(nm) Total Ocean charge Port charges per FEU Total Charge $ Gioia Tauro 1008 1. 75 5 0. 44 443. 52 100 543. 52 Malta Free port 992 1. 72 5 0. 44 436. 48 100 536. 48 Piraeus 624 1. 08 5 0. 44 274. 56 100 374. 56 Limassol 158 0. 27 5 0. 44 69. 52 100 169. 52 Taranto 963 1. 67 5 0. 44 423. 72 100 523. 72 Beirut 173 0. 30 5 0. 44 76. 12 100 176. 12 Tortuous 236 0. 41 5 0. 44 103. 84 100 203. 84 Port Said 85 0. 15 5 0. 44 37. 40 100 137. 40 Haifa 105 0. 18 5 0. 44 46. 20 100 146. 20
Conclusion and recommendations Ø Infrastructure upgrade along the main corridors Ø Improving the efficiency of border management agencies Ø Optimization of information flow Ø Gaza seaport and Airport should be reconstructed Ø Territorial link between the West Bank and Gaza Strip should be established
Ø Enhancement of the trade logistics system, which permits a secure, reliable and competitive trading environment. Ø Temporally connecting the shuttling service between El-Arish and the existing Gaza fishery port should be a priority to diversify the Palestinians imports and exports.
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