27.03.2023
In the framework of the SAGOV Plus project, Cooperation and Development Institute organized a Conference on “Development of Port Infrastructure and TEN-T Compliance Indicators” on the 21st of March 2023, at the Polytechnic University of Tirana.
The event focused on discussing the new Durres Port Authority investment in the Porto Romano location, and on elaborating how this project fits with the current geopolitical situation, the development of new TEN-T Regulation, as well as the influence that this investment will have on Albania and the South Adriatic Area.
The keynote speech was delivered by the Director of the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, Mr Zakonjšek. He highlighted the importance of maritime connectivity and underlined the importance of human capital for its efficiency. Furthermore, he updated the participants on the revision of the TEN-T network and the inclusion of the Western Balkan Corridors for the first time in the EU transport network.
Mr. Paolo Viola, Professor at the University of Naples addressed the audience on the need for a joint plan for the development of tourism and the economy including all-coastal countries of the Adriatic- Italy, Albania, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro.
The first panel on “Diving into the Porto Romano Port” focused on the details of Porto Romano project and its geopolitical importance. Mr Jurriaan de Jong, Project Manager, Royal Haskoning dhv presented the technical components of the new Port, including geotechnical features, quay structures, dredging and disposal aspects, fill & surcharge material, etc. Furthermore, he mentioned that the start of this “ecosystem” is not only the construction but also operation and maintenance which requires trained human capital.
Mr Vengu the CEO of Durres Port Authority underlined the importance of this project as an opportunity that brings together the logistics industry in Albania and the region, revitalizes and valorizes the Durrës city waterfront, improves environmental and security conditions, integrates industrial activities, etc and converts Durres into a key node of transport & logistical network in South East Europe.
Part of this panel was also Mr Goran Temovski, representative of the Ministry of Transport and Communication of the Republic of North Macedonia. Mr. Temovski highlighted the importance that Corridor VIII has for the region and the link that this corridor creates to the Adriatic sea, as well updated the audience about the state of play of the works of this corridor in North Macedonia.
Mr Massimo Lupis, representative from the Region of Puglia mentioned the importance of this Corridor as well, and the support that Italy as a strategic partner offers in this regard.
The second panel on “Strategic Investment in maritime: what to consider?” focused on the factors that Albania needs to take into account, in terms of maintenance, multimodality and human capital development. After providing a comprehensive overview of ongoing rail projects, Mr. Bashkim Kasoruhu, representative of Albanian Railways, elaborated on the SoA and multimodality of the railway Tirana-Durres extension to Rinas. Following Mr Kasoruhu, Mrs Zana Josa, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, in her intervention underlined the orientations resulting from the “Action plan for capacity strengthening for the management of railway infrastructure projects”, the implications for the Albanian Railway and the Port Authorities when planning and implementing such major investments.
As part of the discussions Mr Mateo Spaho, Dean at Barleti University and Mrs Ani Tola, Vice Dean, of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism elaborated more on the importance and ways how to develop human capital from the academic perspective.
SAGOV Plus is a 6-months project co-funded by the Interreg-IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro and implemented by the Cooperation and Development Institute in partnership with the Ministry of Capital Investments of Montenegro and the Special Structure for Territory Cooperation of Puglia Region.
PowerPoint Presentation: Port of Durres in Porto Romano, The Need for a National Coastal Plan, Albanian Railway Sector Experience, Circular City-Port Regeneration, Porto Romano, Diving into the Porto Romano port.
