Port of Durrës: Plans are progressing, but amid a lack of transparency and benefits primarily accruing to a select few.

20 August 2025

OBCT

Controversy surrounds the Port of Durrës rebuild, citing lack of transparency, questionable financing, and potential negative impacts on the city.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

The proposed reconstruction of the Port of Durrës in Albania is controversial, with concerns raised over a lack of transparency and potential negative impacts on citizens. Key aspects include a two billion euro investment agreement signed with a company linked to Mohamed Alabbar, which plans to develop the area into a commercial and tourist hub, including thousands of apartments and hotels. Critics point to the financing mechanism of selling apartments before construction, the lack of international public competition, and the potential for significant economic loss to the state. While a separate tender process is underway for the new commercial port in Porto Romano, the overall project is criticized for excluding public consultation and specialists, raising concerns about mismanagement of public space and the prioritization of narrow, short-term interests over the needs of the city and its citizens.

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