Asaf Ashar is research professor (emeritus) with the U.S.-based National Ports and Waterways Institute, a maritime research program of the University of New Orleans. He is the organizer of the Gaza Port Expert Group, comprised of eleven experts in ports, shipping, economics, security, and Middle East Affairs. Before that, he was senior port planner and transportation analyst with the Port of Seattle. He has over 50 academic and professional publications.