Uzi Yitzhaki is ending his term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Israel Ports Company, after two terms and 6 years in office. During the years he served as Chairman of the Board, Yitzhaki was a central partner in a series of significant moves that contributed to the development of the ports and the opening of the industry to competition for the benefit of the economy and the public in Israel.
Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Miri Regev, wished to thank Yitzhaky for his "many years of contributions to public service in general and to the shipping and ports sector in particular."
Minister of Regional Cooperation, David Amsalem:
The Israel Ports Company, under the management of Uzi Yitzhaki, has led important steps that have contributed to strengthening the Israeli economy. Uzi is ending his position after two terms as is customary in a government company. I intend to utilize his experience and professionalism in another government company.
As part of the port reform, two new ports were opened - the Gulf Port and the South Port, operated by international private entities. These are two huge projects worth billions of shekels each, the opening of which led to competition and efficiency in service in the port industry.
Yitzhaki led the transfer of the maritime departments from the veteran seaports to the Israel Ports Company, and on his initiative two subsidiaries were established: Haifa Maritime Transport and Ashdod Maritime Transport, which are responsible for all operations for managing maritime traffic in the port area.
During his tenure, the Israel Ports Company completed the construction of new transportation systems (roads and railways) to improve access to the ports of Haifa and Ashdod, and the infrastructure tunnel project at the Gulf Port was completed, the first project of its kind in Israel.
During the Iron Company War, under Yitzhaki's management, the ports, which are a vital and central factor in the activity of the economy in Israel, maintained functional continuity and regular activity. Throughout this entire period, cargoes essential to the economy, including defense goods, fuels, raw materials and various consumer goods, continued to arrive in Israel, and no shortage of any product was felt.
In parallel with the company's ongoing activities, Yitzhaki led thorough staff work with a long-term vision, formulating strategic plans, and marking the next tasks of the Israel Ports Company.