UN/LOCODE: ALDRZ📍 Albania
Port of Durres (UN/LOCODE ALDRZ)
❖ Coordinates: 41.3328°N, 19.4616°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Tirane
❖ UN/LOCODE: ALDRZ
## About the Port
Durres (UN/LOCODE: **ALDRZ**) is Albania’s principal seaport and the largest gateway for maritime trade in the Adriatic Sea. Situated at **41.3328072 °N, 19.4616074 °E** on the central Albanian coastline, the port operates in the **Europe/Tirane** time zone (UTC +1, summer UTC +2). Managed by the state-owned operator **Porti i Durrësit**, the facility handles a mix of containerized, bulk, ro‑ro, and general cargo, serving both domestic logistics chains and trans‑Mediterranean corridors. With a natural deep‑water basin that can accommodate vessels up to 135 000 DWT, Durres is strategically positioned 180 nm west of the busy Turkish Straits and 260 nm east of the Italian port of Brindisi, making it a natural transshipment hub for Central and Eastern Europe.
Key performance indicators (2022):
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| **Total cargo throughput** | ~12.5 Mt |
| **TEU volume** | ~350 000 TEU |
| **Berths** | 11 (including 2 deep‑water berths) |
| **Draft** | 12 m (max) |
| **Annual ship calls** | ~1 100 |
The port’s geographical advantage, coupled with ongoing multimodal upgrades, has attracted major shipping lines, logistics providers, and foreign direct investment, reinforcing Durres’ role as the linchpin of Albania’s maritime economy.
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## History
### Early Foundations (7th – 19th centuries)
The natural harbor at Durres, known in antiquity as **Dyrrachium**, has been a maritime crossroads since the Illyrian period. Roman and Byzantine fleets used the anchorage for military and commercial operations, while during the Ottoman era the port functioned mainly as a regional export point for grain and timber.
### Modernization under Italian Administration (1920s – 1940s)
In the interwar period, Italy invested heavily in expanding the quay and installing a small railway link to the interior. By 1938, the port could accommodate cargo vessels of 5 000 DWT, marking the first significant shift from a purely regional harbor to a modern Mediterranean terminal.
### Communist Expansion and Nationalization (1960s – 1990)
Post‑World‑II socialist policies nationalized Durres and launched a state‑driven expansion program. New breakwaters, a 300 m multi‑purpose quay, and grain silos were constructed, enabling the port to handle bulk agricultural shipments and limited container traffic.
### Transition to Market Economy (1990s – 2000s)
Following the collapse of communism, the port underwent privatization reforms and attracted foreign expertise. In 1998 the first container terminal was commissioned, and by 2005 the **Porti i Durrësit** authority was established to oversee commercial operations, safety standards, and infrastructure investment.
### 21st‑Century Upgrades (2010s – present)
A series of public‑private partnership (PPP) projects have modernized cargo handling equipment, introduced automated gate systems, and expanded the deep‑water berth to accommodate Panamax vessels. The latest **Durres Port Development Program** (2021‑2026) targets a 30 % increase in TEU capacity and the integration of a dedicated **logistics park** linked to the national railway network.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quays
| Berth | Length (m) | Max Draft (m) | Primary Cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Berth 1** (Container) | 350 | 12 | 20‑foot & 40‑foot containers |
| **Berth 2** (General) | 250 | 11 | Breakbulk, project cargo |
| **Berth 3** (Bulk) | 200 | 12 | Grain, coal, ore |
| **Berth 4** (Ro‑Ro) | 180 | 10 | Vehicles, heavy equipment |
| **Berths 5‑11** (Multi‑purpose) | 120‑220 | 9‑11 | Mixed cargo, livestock |
All berths are equipped with modern fendering systems, shore‑power connections, and diesel‑electric quay cranes ranging from 30‑ to 60‑ton lifting capacity.
### Container Terminal
The dedicated container terminal spans **20 ha**, featuring:
* **Four ship-to-shore gantry cranes** (40 m outreach, 80 t lift).
* **Two inland railway gantries** for 1,200 m of rail‑linked track.
* **Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)** that support a 24‑hour loading/unloading cycle, reducing vessel turnaround from an average of 48 h to **≈ 30 h**.
* **Cold‑storage warehouses** (15,000 m³) for perishable goods.
### Bulk & Project Cargo Facilities
Two deep‑water grain silos (capacity 150 000 t) and a cement terminal equipped with conveyor belts and a 10 t truck‑loader serve the export of agricultural produce and construction materials. The port also contains a heavy‑lift gantry (200 t) for project cargo such as wind‑turbine components.
### Multi‑Modal Connectivity
* **Rail:** A 25 km double‑track line connects Durres to the national railway hub at **Kruja**, providing a 1 500 km corridor to the Balkan hinterland.
* **Road:** The **A3 highway** (Durres–Tirana) and the upcoming **A1** link the port to the Pan‑European Corridor VIII, enabling rapid truck movement to Kosovo, Montenegro, and the wider Adriatic region.
* **Logistics Park:** The newly inaugurated **Durres Free Zone** offers 70 ha of bonded warehousing, customs‑facilitated processing, and value‑added services.
### Safety & Environmental Measures
Durres complies with the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code** and has implemented an **Emission Control Area (ECA)** monitoring system aligned with IMO MARPOL Annex VI standards. The port’s waste‑water treatment plant processes 1 200 m³/day, mitigating marine pollution risks.
For further technical specifications, see the **UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2023** (https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2023).
---
## Economic Importance
### National Revenue Generation
Maritime trade through Durres accounts for **≈ 45 %** of Albania’s total export value and **≈ 30 %** of imports, translating to an estimated **€1.2 billion** in annual customs revenue. The port directly supports **~ 4 500** jobs, while indirect employment in logistics, manufacturing, and services exceeds **20 000** positions.
### Trade Balance & Key Commodities
* **Exports:** Primarily **agricultural products** (cereals, olives, fresh fruit), **construction materials** (cement, steel), and **energy commodities** (oil derivatives).
* **Imports:** Dominated by **machinery**, **automotive parts**, **consumer goods**, and **petroleum products**.
The port’s container traffic is heavily driven by the **European Union (EU)** market, with **≈ 68 %** of outbound TEUs destined for Italy, Greece, and the Balkans, while the remaining volume serves Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
### Strategic Role in Regional Supply Chains
Durres functions as the **gateway for the Western Balkans**, linking landlocked economies such as Kosovo and Montenegro to the Mediterranean. The port’s integration with the **Trans‑Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) corridor** and the prospective **Balkan Rail Freight Network** positions it as a critical node in future energy and logistics corridors.
### Investment Outlook
The Albanian government’s **National Development Plan 2022‑2027** earmarks **€250 million** for port modernization, focusing on expanding the container terminal, deepening the approach channel to **13 m**, and upgrading digital customs platforms. International investors, including Chinese state‑owned enterprises and European infrastructure funds, have expressed interest in PPP arrangements, reflecting confidence in Durres’ growth trajectory.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Maritime Corridors
| Route | Approx. Distance (nm) | Primary Vessels |
|---|---|---|
| **Durres ↔ Brindisi (Italy)** | 100 | Feeder containerships, Ro‑Ro |
| **Durres ↔ Piraeus (Greece)** | 160 | Panamax container ships |
| **Durres ↔ Barcelona (Spain)** | 620 | 5,000 DWT bulk carriers |
| **Durres ↔ Constanta (Romania)** | 460 | Multi‑cargo vessels |
These routes feed into the **Mediterranean Core Sea Lanes** that connect the Suez Canal to the Northern European ports, allowing Durres to act as a redistribution hub for Mediterranean‑to‑Balkan cargo flows.
### Major Cargo Types
1. **Containers (≈ 350 000 TEU/yr):** Predominantly food‑grade products, machinery, and consumer electronics.
2. **Dry Bulk (≈ 7 Mt/yr):** Grain, fertilizers, and coal – serviced via the bulk berths and dedicated conveyor systems.
3. **Project Cargo (≈ 200 0‑ton lifts/yr):** Wind‑turbine blades, steel girders, and heavy construction equipment.
4. **Ro‑Ro (≈ 1 200 units/yr):** Vehicles and assembled automotive components, primarily serving the Balkan automotive assembly sector.
### Emerging Trade Opportunities
* **Renewable Energy Equipment:** The Balkans’ push for wind and solar installations creates demand for oversized components, an area where Durres’ heavy‑lift capabilities can capture market share.
* **Cold‑Chain Exports:** Albania’s expanding horticultural sector (e.g., fresh berries, citrus) benefits from the port’s cold‑storage facilities, opening direct chilled‑container lanes to EU supermarkets.
* **E‑Commerce Fulfilment:** With the rise of cross‑border e‑commerce, the port’s proximity to major road corridors enables rapid last‑mile distribution for online retailers targeting the Adriatic market.
---
*Durres port continues to evolve from a legacy regional harbor into a modern multimodal logistics hub, underpinned by strategic investments, robust infrastructure, and an expanding trade portfolio that reinforces its pivotal role in Albania’s economic development and the broader Southern European maritime network.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
ALDRZ
Country
Albania
Province / Region
N/A
Latitude
41.332807
Longitude
19.461607
Timezone
Europe/Tirane
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Durres?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Durres is ALDRZ.
Where is Port of Durres located?
The Port of Durres is located in Albania. Its coordinates are 41.3328°N, 19.4616°E.
What time zone is Port of Durres in?
Port of Durres operates in the Europe/Tirane time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.08 m
Wave Direction282°
Swell Height0.08 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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