On Tuesday, the Durrës Port Authority initiated the procedure for the construction of the “New Integrated Commercial Port of Durrës at Porto Romano – Phase I”, with a budget limit of 39.3 billion lek, or approximately 390 million euros.
The first phase of the port construction is expected to take about 3.5 years. The port development will occur in several phases, and the documents accompanying the procedure outline a range of planned works for this first phase.
The scope of work for the contract includes:
- Approach channels, the outer port including the ship turning/maneuvering area, and the eastern port basin. The northern water divider.
- Rehabilitation and expansion of the southern water divider.
- Reclaimed slopes around the eastern port basin.
- Land filling for the terminal development using suitable fill materials, along with land improvement works including stone columns and preliminary loading.
- A quay with two berths.
- Navigation assistance.
- Buildings (administration building and buildings in the pre-port area).
- Stormwater drainage, drinking water supply, and fire water supply, along with the respective storage and pumping stations, medium voltage supply for buildings, street lighting, and fencing, connection to a main substation to be constructed by others, data and voice communications, fencing and main gate, along with relevant security.
- Access roads.
The Albanian government has opted for model C2 for the development of the new port in Porto Romano, where the current port activities in Durrës will be relocated. This model envisions a port developed on land rather than model C1, which proposes development at sea.
At the end of 2022, during the project presentation, it was highlighted that the project has a considerable cost and will require commitment from budget funds, Port Authority funds, grants, and also the private sector, leaving the possibility of private-public partnership open.
At least 46% of the funding will come from the government and 54% from the private sector.
In the project presentation by the representative of Royal Haskoning DHV at that time, it was emphasized that this investment is significant, and naturally, the government should bear a substantial portion of its cost. Meanwhile, according to a “build and finance” contract, private sector operators will also need to secure a considerable amount.
Durrës Marina & Yachts project
In December 2020, a cooperation agreement between the Albanian government and the United Arab Emirates was presented to the Parliament for approval.
It focused on three main areas: the redevelopment of the Port of Durrës, investment opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and logistics in Vlorë, Saranda, and Ksamil, and investments in tourism in the Përmet area.
In 2021, news broke about how EMAAR, the largest company that transformed Dubai, would implement the Durrës project.
Government delegations to and from Dubai were frequent, lending prominence to the project to be implemented in Albania, along with appearances by Mohamed Alabbar, known as the founder of “Emaar Properties”, and developer of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Mall.
In 2022, the development company began selling off-plan apartments, which is planned to be done in several phases as outlined in the project. In 2024, another sales launch was announced for March 8, with reservations for apartments in the “ParkView” residence. Specifically, this involves the 7th building of the project positioned in the second row of constructions. The residence is expected to feature 233 apartments with 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms.
