The Haifa port in Israel, operated by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s group, remained unharmed following Iran’s ballistic missile strikes over the weekend. Cargo handling at the port continued without interruption, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Missile Strikes Near Haifa
Late Saturday night, Iran launched missile attacks on Israel’s Haifa region, including the port and a nearby major oil refinery. This was in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure earlier in the week.
No Damage to Port Operations
Shrapnel from intercepted missiles reportedly landed in the chemical terminal of the port and at the oil refinery, but no injuries were reported. At the Adani-controlled Kishan West terminal in Haifa, a piece of interceptor debris was found, but it caused no harm. Port operations remained unaffected with eight ships docked and normal cargo activity underway.
Adani Group Silent, No Injuries Reported
While the Adani Group did not issue an official comment, sources confirmed there was no damage to the port facilities or ongoing operations. Israeli government officials also had not responded to the incident at the time of reporting.
Haifa Port’s Strategic Role
Haifa port is a key maritime gateway for Israel, managing over 30% of its imports. Adani Ports holds a 70% stake in the facility. However, the port accounts for less than 2% of Adani Ports and SEZ’s total volume, contributing about 5% to its revenue. APSEZ currently handles 10.57 million tonnes of cargo overall.
Continued Conflict in the Region
The missile attack on Haifa came after Israel launched a strike targeting Iran’s nuclear, missile, and military sites. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes, and by Sunday, both countries had exchanged fire for a third consecutive day. Iran accused Israel of attacking two of its oil refineries, raising concerns about potential damage to Iran’s energy sector and global market disruptions. Some Iranian missiles also managed to strike buildings in central Israel, despite the country’s air defense efforts.
