Israel Ports and Railways Authority

74 Derekh Petah-Tiqva
P.O. Box 20121, 61201 Tel Aviv
Tel. (03) 512-1010

(Source: Israel Government Year Book)

Website: http://www.israports.org.il

Functions and Structure

The Ports Authority was set up on July 1, 1961, under the Ports Authority Law 5721-1961. On July 26, 1988, the Knesset approved an amendment to the Ports Authority Law, merging Israel Railways into the Authority, henceforth to be known as the Israel Ports and Railways Authority.

The law defines the Authority as a government corporation competent to acquire all rights, make all undertakings, and act as a litigant in all legal proceedings and a party to all contracts. The duties of the Authority are to plan, construct, develop, manage, maintain, and operate the ports and railways. The law stipulates that the Authority must run the ports and railways as commercially viable enterprises. The law also specifies those matters that require Government approval - development budgets, changes in tariffs, etc.

The Ports Authority Council is appointed by the Government on recommendation of the Transport Minister. Of its 17 members, ten represent the public, and seven represent government ministries.