From the profound comprehension of the central position of the Ashdod Port in the Israeli economy in general, and the city of Ashdod in particular, comes the Port Company’s commitment to contribute as much as possible to a social and environmental benefit.

Naturally, most of the Port Company’s activity in this area is centered in the city of Ashdod. Since its establishment, the port is a central economical anchor for the entire city. It is the most known “commercial symbol” of the city, and majorities of its hundreds of employees are the city’s residents.

Over the years, a mutual and significant relationship was established between the port and the city. Many important projects express this deep connection were consistently nurtured over the years. Those are directed to the city and its residents, but also – increasingly – to the general public in Israel.

Below are listed several projects and activities in which the Ashdod Port Company is engaged in the framework of its social responsibility and community relations:

Visitor’s center
We are currently in the midst of a planning process, the design and construction of a Visitors’ Center in the port intended for the general public. The visit to the center will provide an exciting experience, enjoyable and mainly educational, and it will expose to its visitors the magic and complexity of the “Port World”, thru various means and the most advanced technologies in the world.

 

simulation images of the Visitors Center
Click the image for full size

The Green Submarine
“The Green Submarine” is the fruit of the cooperation between the Ashdod Port Company and the Ashdod Art Museum at the Monart Center. This is a green section, integrating ecological teaching with diversified artistic activity. 
>> For more information regarding the Green Submarine Project

Green Energies
As part of the Port’s activity for environmental preservation, the Ashdod Port Company initiated “Carbon Offset”, i.e., compensating the environment for the damage (imperative) caused due to the Port’s activity, by saving in another place. Jointly with the Ashdod Municipality and the Municipal Leisure Time Company, we act to construct a Solar Roof at the Monart Center. This roof will supply a significant part of the Center’s electricity consumption, thus it will decrease the air pollution and contribute to the protection of the environment. This subject is being examined from an engineering and technical aspect towards its implementation.

Educational programs
Under the initiative of the Ashdod Port Company, contact was established with the IMMRAC – Israel Marine Mammal Research & Assistance Center. This contact is expressed by current daily assistance, as well as, and mainly, jointly writing tutorial programs for kindergartens and schools. These programs are written and implemented in close cooperation with the Education Administration of the Ashdod Municipality and the Urban Union for Environmental Quality, Yavneh region.
>> For more information about educational programs

Ornithology Center in Urban Nature
The Ashdod Port Company initiated contact with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel with the desire for joint activity. This cooperation brought about a common effort by the Port Company, The Society for the Protection of Nature and “Hofit” – the Municipal Company for Tourism, from which was born the effort to establish an urban nature center and an Ornithology Center on the banks of the Lachish Stream adjacent to the Port. 
>> For more information about the Ornithology Center in Urban Nature

Enosh Fellowship
The Ashdod Port Company is acting to promote various types of cooperation with the Ashdod branch of Enosh, in a variety of ways to purchase products produced by those strengthened by Enosh, joint visits, and additional activities.

Adopt a soldier
Under the initiative of the Ashdod Port Company, we are in close and good contact with the Ashdod base of the Navy in general, and the soldiers of the Hornets Troop on the base in particular. Currently we are active in completing the step of adopting the soldiers of the Troop by the Port Company.

Encouragement of employees who volunteer in the community
The Ashdod Port Company encourages its many employees to volunteer and take an active role in various activities. The Port holds various events of appraisal and endearment for the volunteers, encourages volunteering, and acts to promote this issue among all employees.
Among other, we shall note the Port’s singing group and Raz Cohen and Dudu Zarihan, amateur magicians, who volunteer a lot in the community and in general.

Bezalel in the Ashdod Port
A joint project of the Ashdod Port Company, the photography department at Bezalel, the Art and Design Academy – Jerusalem, and the Ashdod Art Museum. In the framework of the project, the students of the department will arrive during the month of May 2009 for “field” photography study days in the Port. These days will take place as part of the studies about the port, its importance, and the variety of its activities. 70 selected works that will pass a professional curators committee will be shown in an exhibition at the Ashdod Museum in November 2009.

The Chamber of Shipping
The Ashdod Port Company is a partner to a national educational project, which the Chamber of Shipping is promoting with the Ministry of Education. The purpose of the project is to bring closer school pupils to the totality of activities of the marine community, and the understanding of its importance to the national economy. In this framework, we host schools that take part in the program; we are involved with lectures in the schools etc.