A labour strike at the Egyptian port of Ain Sokhna is forcing a local transit company to ship Turkish goods through Israel instead. Turkish shipments for Saudi Arabia, set to pass through Ain Sokhna, will now use the Israeli port of Haifa and transfer overland, Kadmar, the Egyptian firm organising the transport, said on Saturday. The Kadmar-handled consignment of frozen food was due to sail from the southern Turkey port of Iskendrun to Port Said, Egypt, before being moved overland to Ain Sokhna. From there it would continue by sea to the Saudi port of Duba. But suspension of activities at Ain Sokhna means the Turkish ships will now unload at Haifa, northern Israel, and move goods to Saudi via neighbouring Jordan.

(Dr. Benny Peiser)