1 million passengers pass through Albanian ports in summer

TIRANA, Sept. 5 – More than 1 million passengers passed through the country’s main three ports and the Rinas airport during the past three months, Transport Minister Sokol Olldashi has announced. The biggest influx of passengers during June-August was registered in Durres Port, the country’s biggest, which handled around 370,000 passengers through its six-daily ferry lines. Next came the southern ports of Vlora and Saranda with 73,4000 and 59,800 passengers respectively. The Rinas Airport, which operates in 48 destinations, handled 56,100 passengers during the past three months, added Olldashi. The visa liberalization process in force since mid-December 2010 has also contributed to the increased number of passengers. Speaking of investments in these transportations hubs, Olldashi announced the construction of a new quay for cruise ships in the Saranda port, worth 5 million dollars, currently under procurement procedures. The Vlora Port, the country’s second biggest will also have its capacities increased under a 15.3 million Euro fund by the Italian government. Improvements in the Durres port infrastructure include quay renovation and the completion of the passenger terminal. Durres is also expected to have a new fishing port, under a 13 million dollar investment.