IL Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
Israeli UN/LOCODE entries begin with the country prefix IL followed by a three-character location identifier. For example, Ashdod is represented as ILASD and Haifa as ILHFA.
Seaports in Israel: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Israel has 15 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Mediterranean and Red Sea maritime trade and regional cargo distribution.
Review Israeli port codes, major cargo gateways, regional clusters and indicative sea-freight routes in one country-level guide.
Israel Port Overview
Israel’s commercial maritime network is concentrated along the Mediterranean coast, with Eilat providing access to Red Sea routes. Ashdod and Haifa are the principal container and general-cargo gateways, while other indexed locations represent specialist, local or terminal-level facilities.
15
Israel ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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National seaborne cargo tonnage, 2025; YoY consolidated figure not published in the snapshot
MOT 2025 data release
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National container throughput, 2025; YoY consolidated figure subject to final statistical release
Israel Ports Company 2025 data
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Commercial port berth count, 2025; YoY consolidated figure not published in the snapshot
MOT 2025 port statistics
How many seaports does Israel have?
Israel has 15 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its November 2026 country database snapshot. This is an indexed-coverage figure, not a claim about every maritime facility or every national port classification.
Which are Israel’s largest cargo ports?
Ashdod, UN/LOCODE ILASD, and Haifa, UN/LOCODE ILHFA, are Israel’s principal container and multipurpose cargo gateways. Their exact annual rankings can vary with vessel calls, cargo mix and operating conditions.
Which areas handle most of Israel’s seaborne freight?
The Mediterranean coastal cluster around Ashdod and Haifa handles most of Israel’s ocean freight, while Eilat, UN/LOCODE ILETH, serves Red Sea-oriented and regional logistics roles.
Top Ports in Israel by Freight Role
The table prioritizes the most active Israeli entries in the Ecer Freight sample. World rank comparisons are shown only where a consistent public league-table position is available; indexed coverage and throughput are separate measures.
Selected Israeli port and terminal entries, with 2025 container-throughput indicators where a reliable public figure is available.
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Ashdod | ILASD | — | — | Southern Mediterranean coast |
| — | Haifa | ILHFA | — | — | Northern Mediterranean coast |
| — | Tel Aviv | ILTAV | — | — | Central Mediterranean coast |
| — | Ashkelon | ILASH | — | — | Southern Mediterranean coast |
| — | Eilat | ILETH | — | — | Red Sea gateway |
| — | Hadera | ILHAD | — | — | Northern Mediterranean coast |
Israeli Port Regions and Cargo Clusters
Northern Mediterranean Cluster
The Haifa-area cluster supports container, project, industrial and general-cargo activity in northern Israel.
Indexed ports and terminals in the northern cluster.
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haifa | ILHFA | Haifa | Container, general and industrial cargo |
| Hadera | ILHAD | Hadera | Bulk, energy and industrial cargo |
| Acre | ILACR | Acre | Local and coastal maritime activity |
| Haifa Bayport | ILHBT | Haifa Bayport | Container and terminal operations |
| Haifa Israel Shipyards Port | ILMSP | Haifa Israel Shipyards Port | Multipurpose, project and general cargo |
Southern Mediterranean Cluster
Ashdod and Ashkelon form a major southern coastal logistics zone with container, bulk, energy and multipurpose cargo roles.
Indexed ports and terminals in the southern cluster.
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashdod | ILASD | Ashdod | Container, ro-ro, bulk and general cargo |
| Ashkelon | ILASH | Ashdod | Energy and bulk-oriented activity |
| Ashkelon | ILAKL | Ashkelon | Local and bulk maritime activity |
| Ashdod Southport | ILAST | Ashdod Southport | Terminal and multipurpose cargo activity |
Central Coast Cluster
Central-coast entries include historic and local facilities around Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Rishon Lezion.
Indexed ports and terminals in the central coastal cluster.
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tel Aviv | ILTAV | Tel Aviv-yafo | Local, coastal and commercial maritime activity |
| Jaffa | ILJFA | Jaffa | Small-scale and local maritime activity |
| Rishon Letsiyon | ILRLT | Rishon Lezion | Coastal and local logistics activity |
| Tel Aviv Yafo | ILTLV | Tel Aviv Yafo | Local and coastal maritime activity |
Red Sea Gateway
Eilat is Israel’s southern maritime gateway, linking selected cargo flows with Red Sea and regional trade routes.
Indexed Eilat entries.
Israel Port Codes and UN/LOCODE Structure
UN/LOCODE identifiers help carriers, forwarders, customs teams and transport platforms standardize place names in shipping documents and booking workflows.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Distinctions
A city-level code may identify a broader maritime location, while a terminal-level entry can identify a particular operating facility or port area. Booking instructions should match the carrier’s accepted code and the actual discharge or loading facility.
How to Verify an Israel Port Code
Verify the location against the UNECE UN/LOCODE framework and cross-check the relevant entry in the Ecer Freight port directory before preparing shipping or customs documents.
Shipping from Israel: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are indicative planning ranges only. Actual schedules depend on vessel rotations, transshipment, canal conditions, security restrictions, port congestion and carrier confirmation.
Israel to Europe
Regular Mediterranean services connect Israel with major European gateways and onward inland distribution networks.
Israel to East Mediterranean
Short-sea and feeder services support trade with nearby Mediterranean markets and transshipment hubs.
Israel to Asia
Asia-bound cargo generally uses direct or transshipment services via Mediterranean and Red Sea networks, with routing subject to current operational conditions.
Israel to North America
North American shipments typically move through Mediterranean services and may involve transshipment before the Atlantic crossing.
Data Sources and Methodology
This page separates Ecer Freight’s indexed port coverage from national throughput statistics and international port rankings. Time-sensitive operational information should be confirmed with the carrier, terminal or relevant authority.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 15 Israel ports and terminals, database snapshot Nov 2026.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference framework.
- Government of Israel — official government information and transport-related public references.
- Israel Ministry of Transport — transport and port-sector institutional information where published.
- Israel Central Bureau of Statistics — official national statistical releases and economic indicators.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — maritime reference information and navigational publications.
Israel Seaport FAQ
How many seaports does Israel have?
Israel has 15 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the November 2026 database snapshot. The figure describes indexed coverage and may not equal every facility used in national maritime administration.
What is the largest port in Israel?
Ashdod and Haifa are Israel’s leading commercial cargo gateways. Ashdod uses UN/LOCODE ILASD, while Haifa uses ILHFA. Relative cargo leadership may vary by year and cargo category.
What are the main port codes for Israel?
Common indexed examples include ILASD for Ashdod, ILHFA for Haifa, ILTAV for Tel Aviv, ILASH for Ashkelon and ILETH for Eilat. The accepted code should be checked against the booking, carrier and terminal instructions.
Which regions handle most cargo in Israel?
The Ashdod and Haifa coastal clusters handle most ocean freight activity, while the central coast includes local and terminal-level facilities and Eilat provides a Red Sea gateway role.
How current is the Israel port data?
The first-party indexed-port snapshot is dated Nov 2026, and the latest complete statistical reference year used for this page is 2025. Port schedules, restrictions, congestion and throughput can change and should be reconfirmed before shipment.
How can a shipper request freight rates from Israel?
Shippers can request FCL or LCL pricing using the freight-rate tools on this page. A firm quotation generally requires the origin port, destination, cargo description, volume or container type, weight, readiness date and applicable shipping terms.
This Israel port guide combines Ecer Freight’s first-party port index with public institutional references. Indexed coverage is reviewed against database changes, while statistical indicators and operational details are updated as authoritative 2025 or later releases become available. Carrier schedules, port access and transit times remain subject to confirmation.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Israel: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact