New Durres port terminal becomes fully operational

TIRANA, July 11 – The Durres port finally has a new ferry passenger terminal. The terminal, a euro 21 million investment by the EBRD, the EIB and the Albanian government, was inaugurated this week. It has been designed to serve between 1.2 to 1.5 million passengers a year, 200,000 cars and 60,000 trucks.
“Along with the Rinas Airport, the new passenger terminal in Durres Port is the most beautiful gate and the most modern passport of Albania,” said Prime Minister Sali Berisha at the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday.
The new terminal will make available an additional 12 lanes for cars and trucks and a drug checkpoint, some 22,000 m2, guaranteeing international security standards. The EBRD and EIB loan has enabled port authorities to develop an efficient, effective, modern port that meets international standards, helping finance the construction of a building for passengers and vehicles, customs handling, as well as supporting works arising from the reorganization of existing port cargo operations. . The project will help enhance transport between Albania and its European neighbours, improving links especially with countries such as with Italy, Macedonia and Bulgaria benefiting both businesses and tourists.
The construction of new sites to handle goods and creating necessary conditions for high-tonnage ships will be the major two objectives for the country’s biggest port this year.
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 Port is by far the largest commercial port in Albania, transporting on average around 80 per cent of the country’s international ship-borne traffic. It is currently involved in ferry, cargo and container operations.