Seventeen companies are competing to operate the port of Eilat, according to the port2port website. Applications closed last Thursday. The winner of the contract will get a franchise for 15 years, with an option for an additional 10 years, subject to certain conditions and the approval of the government.
The government expects the franchise holder to increase volume at the port and use the potential of Israeli commerce facing the Far East. Other goals include innovations in operations and marketing to better serve the ports customers.