What are the main concerns facing critical infrastructure in Israel at the present time? Ashdod Port President Shaul Schneider and National Water Company Mekorot CEO Amit Lang spoke to Globes reporter Assaf Zgrezak at the 32nd Globes Israel Business Conference about the challenges they see.
They say that the ports could see changes in the Israeli economy three months before. What type of demand are we heading towards?
Schneider: “We recorded a 22% rise in activity in the first nine months of this year compared to the corresponding period of 2024. An operating profit of NIS 100 million. This is especially noticeable in general cargo (i.e. non-container cargo such as steel and wood for construction, IE). Israel is heading in a positive direction, and has been in a watershed in security events, but the story is not over yet.”
Schneider added that good exports are not in good shape. “We were never strong on goods exports, but now there are bigger gaps versus imports.”
Regarding water infrastructure, Lang said: “We are in the last third of November, and there are hummus abroad, and we need to invest in systems to deliver water to the areas that need it. The system needs to deliver water to areas that still rely on local sources. We will raise the investment to NIS 1.6-1.7 billion, and this will keep the water economy in the good place it is today.”
Mekorot also acts as a developer abroad. “Israel has desalination facilities in Cyprus that produce a large percentage of the water it consumes. Jordan also depends on our agreements with them, and that will likely continue, and perhaps even increase,” Lang said, adding, “It is worth looking to see what is happening with Syria. Israel has the potential to be a water supplier to the region, thus creating a geopolitical fabric. We know the terrain, and Israel has the potential to be a water supplier to Syria, but we do not determine the policy.”
In response to a question about transporting water to the rest of Israel, Lang said: “There will be challenges in the next two or three years, including a certain shortage in water supply, especially for agriculture. There are decisions that have not been made in time. There is desalinated water in the coastal area, but we do not have pipes that reach the most remote places, so when there is a severe drought, some local sources such as the Golan Heights and in the Arava dry up, and it is not possible to transport them.” “And transfer the water we have to those areas.”
However, decisions have been made regarding expanding Israel’s water infrastructure. “We are ready to face the challenges of the future,” Lang said. “We cannot rely, as we did in the past, on regional sources only to save money.” He stressed that “Israeli water tariffs are not high compared to international countries.”
“There is no objection to floating the port.”
Ashdod Port is the last state-owned port in Israel. You are competing with five privately owned ports. How are you?
Schneider: “The port of Ashdod is a vital infrastructure that must work non-stop, and there is excessive regulation for us. We compete with important players such as the Adani Group and the Chinese government, but we can also be a vital infrastructure and support the army, and at the same time compete very well with private ports. The numbers show that we: maintain a market share of 40%. It is a pity that in order to create healthy competition, instead of allowing everyone to develop, they tie our hands and feet to make people think that we need Privatization.
“You cannot rely on foreign infrastructure when you are in a difficult situation. In the war, the port of Ashdod provided for the needs of the economy and the army. The number of ships carrying defense equipment unloaded by the port of Ashdod was historically significant. This was thanks to our workers who did not get off the cranes even when there were air raid sirens. They provided support to the navy as well.”
Regarding the potential model for Ashdod Port, Schneider spoke of “temporary solutions” that would generate revenues and profits for the state while at the same time enabling the company to compete, such as flotation. “I do not object. The government of Israel will have to make a decision, and we will act accordingly. We are ready for that. I have proposed a plan to float a minority stake of up to 49%, which will bring a billion shekels to the company and another billion shekels in profits to the state. We need to renovate cranes and docks and build more power substations. We must be able to work in extreme scenarios.”
‘Let’s reduce regulation’
At this point, the two senior managers asked each other questions. Lang Schneider asked: “Do you think the port as a government company can proudly compete with the private market? Not just because of the workers, but because of the commitment to holding tenders. Can that be done over time?”
Schneider answered: “Regulatory bodies have to look at the big picture. What the country needs and what it can and cannot allow. If we want a state port, we have to remove the obstacles and the shackles. We have twelve regulatory bodies watching us every day, hour by hour, and it is impossible to win the game this way. Let us reduce regulation and allow the company to move forward without obstacles, and then there will be free and fair competition. Otherwise, it will lead to the destruction of vital infrastructure.”
“What would happen if they brought private players into the water industry as well, apart from production?” Schneider-Lang asked.
“There is nothing economically logical to remove from Mekorot, because it is a natural monopoly,” Lange replied. “They tried to move the drilling outside the company, but the risks were too great. Mekorot is efficient and strong according to all international standards. No other water supplier is able to do this.”
Full disclosure: The Israeli Business Conference is held in cooperation with Hapoalim Bank and the Phoenix Group and is sponsored by Bezeq, El Al, Tnuva, Electra, Armis, Haifa Group, Hamilton Lane Israel, Doral, Shikon & Pinoy, BlackRock, Bazan, Pagaya, KPMG, Nespresso, Egged, Ziker, ICL, and the Israeli Medical Association, with the participation of the Ports of Israel. Mekorot Company, Ashdod Port, and the Israel Innovation Authority.
Published by Globes, Israel Business News – en.globes.co.il – on November 24, 2025.
© Copyright Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2025.
The post Ashdod port chair: No objection to a flotation first appeared on Investorempires.com.
