Exhibitions

Israel’s location along trade routes connecting three continents - Asia, Africa, and Europe - has given its ports historical significance. Until the early twentieth century, the ports of Jaffa and Acre were the country’s main ports, serving as gateways for passengers and cargo. These ports developed over thousands of years as organic parts of their cities, similar to other historical ports along the Mediterranean.

The exhibition displays models of several ZIM shipping vessels, designed for various purposes. The first ship received under the agreement, Dagan, was used for cargo, as was the Ampa'al. The ships Israel and Zion were intended for mixed use of passengers and cargo, while Jerusalem served as a passenger ship. The ship Har Gilad, owned by El-Yam company, was used for general cargo and refrigerated transport. The exhibition also features historical moments in the ships' stories, documented in sources including news diaries, photographs, and promotional leaflets.