TIRANA, July 12 – Exports in Durres port, the country’s biggest, grew by 2.4 times year-on-year during the first six months of 2010, the Durres Port Authority said in a statement.
Exports during the January-June period reached 600,000 tons, with chromium, tiles, cement and tin as the main commodities.
Port authorities said some 1.6 million tons of goods were processed through the port during the first half of 2010.
Meanwhile, imports fell to 1 million ton of goods, 20 percent less than the same period last year. Port data show there has also been a sharp increase in import of bananas with 12.5 tons since the beginning of this year, compared to a total of 19.7 tons during the whole of 2009.
Import of fertilizers has also increased to 33.2 tons during this year, almost the same amount processed during the whole of 2008 through Durres Port.
New passenger terminal almost ready
The reconstruction of Durres Port passenger terminal, an investment of 40 million euros is expected to finish this year, Prime Minister Sali Berisha said during a recent visit to the port. The new terminal will have a capacity of 1 million passengers, modernizing the infrastructure in the country’s biggest port.
The EBRD is lending the Albanian Port of Durres, the country’s main commercial port, 14 million euros to help finance a new ferry terminal and rehabilitate two quays to improve passenger and cargo services. The project is being co-financed with the European Investment Bank.
The loan has enabled port authorities to develop an efficient, effective, modern port that meets international standards. It will help finance the construction of a building for passengers and vehicles, customs handling, as well as supporting works arising from the reorganisation of existing port cargo operations.
The Port of Durres, owned by the Albanian government, is a core part of the regional transport network in Southeast Europe, and an important centre for international trade and travel. The project will help enhance transport between Albania and its European neighbours, improving links especially with countries such as with Italy, Macedonia and Bulgaria and benefiting both businesses and tourists.
The Port of Durres is by far the largest commercial port in Albania, transporting on average around 80 per cent of the country’s international ship-borne traffic. The port is currently involved in four main activities, ferry operations, cargo operations, container operations and oil storage operations.
