Founded in 1969 by Dr. Naftali Wydra, the Wydra Center for Strategic Shipping Research stands as a beacon of scholarly excellence and pioneering research in maritime studies. Since its establishment, the center has fostered deep connections within the Israeli shipping community and marked its history with significant milestones. In 1975, the center conducted its first seminal research on Israel's shipping industry, establishing its reputation in maritime studies. A pivotal moment came in 1987 when the center relocated to the University of Haifa, establishing a dedicated shipping library that has become a vital resource for scholars and industry practitioners.

With over five decades of experience, the Wydra Center has completed more than 150 studies on maritime and port-related topics, cultivating a reputation for rigorous analysis and insightful findings. This depth of knowledge has positioned us as a respected center for academia, the maritime community, government bodies, and the private sector. We are committed to advancing shipping and port studies, emphasizing the publication and distribution of scholarly work, and executing specialized surveys and studies.

Our long-standing partnership with Israel's Ministry of Transportation has been particularly fruitful, allowing us to contribute valuable insights to national maritime policies and strategies. The center's library, housed at the University of Haifa, has become a cornerstone of our mission to be a hub of maritime scholarship, providing a home for researchers and industry professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of shipping and port-related issues.

In 2024, we embarked on a significant digitization project in collaboration with the University of Haifa Library, underscoring our dedication to preserving our legacy and extending the reach of our research to a global audience. As we look to the future, the Wydra Center remains committed to shaping the landscape of maritime research and policy, continuing to evolve and embrace new technologies and methodologies to address the ever-changing challenges in the shipping industry.