The cruise ship Crown Iris, operated by Mano Maritime (Israel), docked in Ashdod Port early this morning arriving from Limassol (Cyprus Island, Greece).
The Panama-flagged vessel, carrying approximately 2,000 Israeli nationals, is the first to return under a coordinated effort between Mano Maritime and Israel's Ministry of Transportation to repatriate citizens temporarily stranded abroad.
This maritime repatriation marks the commencement of "Operation Safe Return," an initiative aimed at ensuring the secure and orderly return of Israelis via sea routes. Upon arrival in Ashdod, passengers were received by a delegation that included Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken, and Ashdod Port Chairman Shaul Schneider. According to statements from the ministry, the effort represents a broader national mission, utilizing all available logistical resources to maintain both safety and efficiency.
Ground transport was arranged in advance, with around 50 buses and minibuses positioned at the port to transport returnees free of charge to destinations including the Ashdod train station, Beersheba, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.
The Ministry of Transportation confirmed that maritime operations remain active and are contingent upon security assessments. The ministry emphasized the collaborative nature of the ongoing effort, describing the cruise voyage as the first in a series of expected repatriation sailings in the coming days.
Officials at Ashdod Port noted that operational staff have continued to maintain critical port functions under challenging conditions. Port CEO Nissan Levi remarked that personnel are working under alert conditions, often between sirens, and doing so with dedication reflective of national resilience.