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| Porto Romano |
The European Union, through its funding mechanisms, had been in the process of investing over 62 million euros in the Port of Durrës, funds that are being redirected due to the relocation of the Port of Durrës to Porto Romano.
In the annual report on projects in the Balkans for 2022, the European Transport Community has expressed concerns about the relocation of port services and whether they will be connected to the main European transport network (TEN-T), represented in Albania by Corridor 8 and Corridor 10.
The analysis by the Transport Community indicates that the project at the Port of Durrës (Rehabilitation of Quays 1 and 2 at the Western Terminal of the Port of Durrës) is funded under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
The total estimated investment is 62.4 million euros, with an EU contribution of 27.05 million euros, a EIB loan of 25 million euros, and a beneficiary contribution of 9.3 million euros, Monitor reports.
"Regarding the future perspective of the Port of Durrës and its alignment with TEN-T, the Albanian government's plan to relocate the existing port to Porto Romano must be taken into account. The relocation and its impact on TEN-T alignment will be closely monitored in the coming years," states the Transport Community's declaration.
From a logistic standpoint, Porto Romano is partially connected to the road network but lacks a railway connection.
Road connections do not meet the standards of the TEN-T network, and railway connections are expected to remain problematic for at least a decade, continuing to disadvantage the port in regional competition.
The Port Authority of Durrës is expected to tender the first phase of works for the new Porto Romano port this year.
The works in this phase have an estimated cost of around 390 million euros and are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, according to sources from the Port Authority of Durrës.
The first phase includes the construction of the container terminal, the connection to road and rail infrastructure, the sewage network, electrical power supply, and water supply.
In this phase, a maritime facility will also be built, although its operational scope has yet to be defined.