New passenger terminal opens in Durres Port

TIRANA, August 31 – The new passenger terminal in Durres port has been partially open since August 14, making passenger’s arrival in the country’s biggest port easier.
The new terminal, a 15.2 million euro joint investment by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank and the Albanian government has made available an additional 12 lanes for cars and trucks and a drug checkpoint, some 22,000 m2, guaranteeing international security standards.
The terminal’s partial opening came at a time when Durres port was having its busiest days with thousands of passengers, immigrants and foreign tourists, arriving from Italy’s ports to spend their holidays in Albania.
The project’s first phase included the “export part” situated west of the ferry terminal.
Port authorities say the project’s second phase, known as the “import part” includes the construction of the terminal building and the rehabilitation of the import square on the terminal’s eastern side and is expected to finish by the end of this year.
During a visit port last month, Interior Minister Lulzim Basha said the newly opened terminal met the Schengen area standards while the TIMS and Interpol systems offered full security.
Data show some 307,000 passengers and 78,000 cars traveled through Durres port from the beginning of July to August 26.
The country’s biggest port handled an average of 5,000 passengers a day and 1,300 vehicles last August, which was 32 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
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 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 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.