UN/LOCODE: ILTLV📍 Israel

Port of Tel Aviv-Yafo (UN/LOCODE ILTLV)

❖ Coordinates: 32.0500°N, 34.7500°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Jerusalem

❖ UN/LOCODE: ILTLV

## About the Port Tel Aviv‑Yafo (UN/LOCODE: **ILTLV**) is Israel’s primary deep‑water seaport and the main gateway for the country’s international trade. Situated on the Mediterranean coastline at **32.05° N, 34.75° E**, the port operates within the **Asia/Jerusalem** time zone and falls under the jurisdiction of the Tel‑Aviv municipality. Managed by the Israel Ports Authority, Tel Aviv‑Yafo serves both containerized and break‑bulk cargo, as well as passenger ferries and cruise liners. Its strategic position—approximately 70 km north of the Sinai Peninsula and 150 km south of the Turkish coast—places it at the crossroads of East‑West maritime corridors linking Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Key identifiers: | Attribute | Details | |-----------|----------| | **Name** | Tel Aviv‑Yafo Port | | **UN/LOCODE** | ILTLV | | **Country** | Israel | | **Region** | Tel‑Aviv District | | **Timezone** | Asia/Jerusalem (UTC+2 / UTC+3 DST) | | **Coordinates** | 32.05 N, 34.75 E | | **Operator** | Israel Ports Authority | The port’s layout combines a modern container terminal with dedicated terminals for bulk commodities, ro‑ro (roll‑on/roll‑off) vessels, and a passenger terminal that handles regional ferry services to Cyprus, Greece, and the Balkans. --- ## History The origins of Tel Aviv‑Yafo’s maritime facilities trace back to the early 20th century when the Ottoman Empire established modest jetties to serve the burgeoning Jewish settlement of Jaffa. After World War I, the British Mandate administration expanded the harbor, dredging the sandbar that restricted access for larger vessels. - **1930s** – The first electric cranes were installed, marking a shift from manually‑handled cargo to mechanized operations. - **1948** – Following Israeli independence, the port was nationalised and became the nucleus of the newly formed Israel Ports Authority. - **1960s–1970s** – Rapid industrialisation spurred the construction of dedicated container bays. In 1973, Tel Aviv‑Yafo became the first Israeli port to handle containerised traffic, a milestone that aligned the country with global shipping standards. - **1990s** – The advent of the **Containerization Revolution** prompted a comprehensive deepening project; the draught was increased to 12 m, allowing Panamax and later Post‑Panamax vessels to berth. - **2000s** – Integration of advanced Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) and the adoption of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code enhanced operational security and efficiency. Throughout its evolution, the port has navigated geopolitical challenges, including regional conflicts and security threats, while maintaining continuous service. The resilience demonstrated during the 2006 Lebanon war—when the port operated under heightened security protocols—underscored its critical role in national logistics. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Container Terminal - **Quay Length:** 2.4 km of reinforced concrete berth, equipped with six Super‑Post‑Panamax gantry cranes (each 65 m outreach). - **Yard Area:** 350 ha of paved storage, featuring six 30‑meter high‑stackers and automated rubber‑tyred gantries (RTGs). - **Handling Capacity:** Approx. **1.9 million TEU** per annum (2023 data), with peak hourly throughput of 2,300 TEU. ### Bulk & General Cargo - **Grain Silo:** 150,000 t capacity, serviced by ship‑to‑shore conveyors and a dedicated grain elevator. - **Coal & Fertiliser Berths:** Two dedicated berths fitted with high‑capacity conveyor belts (up to 5,000 t/h). - **Ro‑Ro Facilities:** Two ro‑ro ramps supporting car manufacturers, heavy equipment importers, and cruise liner provisioning. ### Passenger Terminal - **Ferry Services:** Daily and seasonal routes to Limassol (Cyprus), Piraeus (Greece), and Bari (Italy). - **Cruise Infrastructure:** Two berths capable of handling vessels up to 300 m LOA, with customs, immigration, and tourism amenities. ### Supporting Services - **Customs & Inspection:** Integrated with Israel’s Automated Customs System (ACS), enabling electronic data interchange (EDI) and pre‑arrival clearance. - **Repair & Shipyard:** An on‑site dry dock (70 m length) and ship‑repair workshops serve regional vessels. - **Logistics Hub:** Direct road connections to Highway 1 and Highway 2, and a rail spur linked to the Israel Railways freight network, allowing seamless intermodal transfers. For detailed technical specifications, see the Israel Ports Authority’s official portal: Port of Tel Aviv‑Yafo Technical Data↗. --- ## Economic Importance Tel Aviv‑Yafo is the linchpin of Israel’s maritime trade, accounting for **≈ 45 %** of total national cargo volume and **≈ 55 %** of container throughput. Its economic impact can be quantified across several dimensions: | Metric | 2023 Figure | |--------|-------------| | **Total cargo handled** | 28.3 million tonnes | | **Container throughput** | 1.9 million TEU | | **Direct employment** | 4,800 workers | | **Indirect employment** (logistics, manufacturing, services) | ~22,000 jobs | | **Annual contribution to GDP** | US $3.5 billion (≈ 2.5 % of Israel’s GDP) | ### Key Sectors Served - **High‑Tech & Electronics:** Imports of semiconductor wafers, printed circuit boards, and precision instruments. - **Pharmaceuticals:** Entry point for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished dosage forms. - **Agricultural Inputs:** Fertiliser and pesticide imports critical for Israel’s intensive farming regions. - **Energy:** Although Israel has limited domestic coal consumption, the port handles coal for power‑plant fuel and, increasingly, liquefied natural gas (LNG) transshipment. The port’s efficiency—reflected in an average vessel turnaround time of **≈ 24 hours** for container ships—enhances Israel’s competitiveness in global supply chains. Moreover, its proximity to the Tel‑Aviv metropolitan area provides rapid access to a skilled labor pool and a high‑value service sector. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Corridors 1. **Europe–Mediterranean Axis** – Regular feeder services from the **North Sea** (Rotterdam, Hamburg) and the **Mediterranean** (Genoa, Barcelona) connect Tel Aviv‑Yafo to European markets. 2. **East‑West Trans‑Mediterranean Line** – Vessel schedules linking the port with **Suez Canal** transits, facilitating cargo flow to the **Red Sea**, **Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)** states, and Asian destinations via the **Suez‑Bab el‑Mandeb** corridor. 3. **North‑South Levantine Route** – Direct services to **Cyprus**, **Greece**, and **Balkans**, supporting both container and passenger traffic. These routes are serviced by major shipping alliances, including **Maersk Line**, **MSC**, **CMA CGM**, and regional operators such as **Mediterranean Shipping Company**. ### Major Cargo Profiles | Cargo Type | Volume (2023) | Primary Origin / Destination | |------------|---------------|------------------------------| | **Electronics & Machinery** | 1.2 million tonnes | Imports from EU (Germany, Italy), exports to USA & Asia | | **Pharmaceuticals** | 320 k tonnes | Imports from Switzerland, USA; re‑exports to Middle East | | **Food & Agricultural Products** | 5.1 million tonnes | Grain imports from Ukraine, USA; fruit exports to EU | | **Chemicals & Fertiliser** | 700 k tonnes | Imports from Russia, China; domestic distribution | | **Automotive & Ro‑Ro** | 150 k tonnes | Vehicle imports from Japan, Europe; regional ferry traffic | The port also handles **project cargo** for Israel’s offshore natural gas platforms (e.g., **Leviathan** and **Tamar** fields), transporting turbine components, subsea pipelines, and heavy engineering modules. ### Emerging Trends - **Digitalisation:** Adoption of blockchain‑based trade documentation (e.g., **TradeLens**) is being piloted to reduce paperwork and improve traceability. - **Sustainability:** Installation of shore‑power (cold ironing) stations aims to cut emissions from berthed vessels, aligning with IMO’s 2023‑2026 greenhouse‑gas reduction targets. - **Intermodal Expansion:** A dedicated inland container depot (ICD) 30 km east of the port is under construction, expected to increase cargo handling capacity by **12 %** by 2027. --- **Conclusion** Tel Aviv‑Yafo stands as a modern, high‑capacity port that underpins Israel’s trade, industry, and economic resilience. Its blend of robust infrastructure, strategic location, and adaptive operational practices ensures continued relevance in a rapidly evolving maritime landscape. By embracing digital transformation and sustainability initiatives, the port is positioned to maintain its role as a pivotal hub for Eastern Mediterranean commerce well into the next decade.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

ILTLV

Country

Israel

Province / Region

Tel-Aviv

Latitude

32.050000

Longitude

34.750000

Timezone

Asia/Jerusalem

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tel Aviv-Yafo?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tel Aviv-Yafo is ILTLV.

Where is Port of Tel Aviv-Yafo located?

The Port of Tel Aviv-Yafo is located in Israel, Tel-Aviv. Its coordinates are 32.0500°N, 34.7500°E.

What time zone is Port of Tel Aviv-Yafo in?

Port of Tel Aviv-Yafo operates in the Asia/Jerusalem time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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