Transportation and Logistics
Its location in the center of a natural crossroads of major transit corridors in Europe places Albania in a strategic geographic position. Albania links the western Mediterranean countries with the Balkans and Asia. Its biggest valleys where the Drin, Shkumbin and Vjose rivers are located also facilitate the connection between the Balkans and the Adriatic Sea. Corridor VIII is under construction which will link the Albanian port of Durres to Varna (Bulgaria) via Tirana, Qafë Thana, Skopje, Deve Bair, Sofia, Plovdiv, and Burgas. This corridor will be the main EastWest connection through Albania and will become an important link for transportation between the Balkan and Mediterranean countries. Map of Corridor VIII Varna (Bulgaria) – Durrës (Albania)
Corridors and Routes, Roads Pan European Corridors Routes on the Core Network
East - West Corridor
Source: Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunication, 2006
Modes of Transportation Albania’s primary modes of transportation are air, roads, railways and waterways. Air transportation Albania has one civil international airport, the “Mother Teresa” Airport, located near the capital of Tirana. The airport is being upgraded under a concession agreement which is the biggest project and most important investment currently being implemented in this sector. There are 11 foreign airline companies (Austrian Airlines, Alitalia, British Airways, Malev, Turkish, Olimpic, Jat Airlines, Adria Airways, Club Air, Alpi Eagles and Hemus) and 4 local airline companies (Albanian Airlines, Albatros Airways, Ada Air and Belle Air) that operate in Albania.
Fact Sheet No.10
Last updated: February 2007
Transportation and Logistics
During 2001 – 2005 the n umber of flights at the “Mother Teresa” airport has doubled and the number of passengers has increased by approximately 50%. According to data generated by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport, and Telecommunications, the number of passengers traveling via air is expected to exceed 800,000 by 2009.
Source: Albania in Figures 2006, Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Passengers’ number estimates (2006-2009)
Source: Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunication, 2006
Road transportation Albania has a total of 18,000 km of roadways. Some of government’s priorities regarding road networks are the pan European Corridor VIII, the Durrës – Kukës – Morinë road linked to corridor VII, and the North – Central road (Hani Hotit – Shkodër – Gjirokastër – Kakavijë). The construction of a new road Tirana – Elbasan was approved in May 2006. In 2001, the Ministry of Transport and the General Road Department announced the construction of the Durres-Kukes-Morine highway. The feasibility study for this project is financed by the World Bank and conducted by the TECNIC&Mott Mc Donalds Company. This highway is important not only because it will connect Albania with Kosovo, but it could also become a connection with the PanEuropian Corridor No. 10 in Nish or potentially further into Romania, Bulgaria, etc. This highway will be 170 km long and will connect the cities of Durres, Vore, F.Kruje, Milot, Rreshen, Reps, Thirre, Kalimash, Kukes, and Morine. Compared to the existing roads, this new highway will substantially reduce driving time between these destinations. The Albanian Government will finance the biggest portion of project design while the EIB and EBRD will enable its construction.
Fact Sheet No.10
Last updated: February 2007
Transportation and Logistics
The table below shows the distance in kilometers between Tirana and other cities of Europe. The distance to Western European cities is calculated from Tirana to the Durrës Port, from Durrës Port to Italian Ports, and then from Italian Ports to the other European cities..1 Roadway distance between Tirana and other cities in Europe (In kilometers)
In 2005, the total number of automotive vehicles in Albania was 284.655. This figure is an increase of about 30% compared to 2001. Cars compose the majority of vehicles and account for 70 % of total number. Railway transportation The railway network in Albania is composed of 447 km of primary railways and 230 km secondary ones. It is linked by the international railways through the railroad Bajza – Podgorica (Montenegro). In 2005, freight volume transported via railways increased by 56% compared to 2001. Railway transport of goods
Source: Albania in Figures 2006, Institute of Statistics (INSTAT).
Waterway Transport The ports and terminals are located in Shëngjin, Durrës, Vlora, and Saranda. The largest of these is the Durrës Port, where 80% of all freight volume is exchanged. In 2005 freight volume exchanged in all Albanian seaports increased by 54% compared to 2001.
The Italian Ports are: Bari (for Rome), Ancona (for Paris, Brussels) and Trieste (for Vienna, Berlin).
Fact Sheet No.10
Last updated: February 2007
Transportation and Logistics
Volume of freight loading and unloading at seaports (In thousands of tons)
Source: Albania in Figures 2006, Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Distances to the main destinations from Albania with any kind of transport
Shipping in Albania Several companies in Albania provide shipping services. For contact information please see the Fact Sheet No.12 “Useful Contacts�.
Fact Sheet No.10
Last updated: February 2007