TIRANA, May 2 /ATA/ – Maritime transport in Albania recorded strong growth in the first quarter of 2026, with increases in cargo volumes, vessel movements and passenger traffic, underscoring the strategic role of the country’s ports in trade and logistics.
According to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), Albania’s four main ports – Durrës, Vlorë, Shëngjin and Sarandë (Limion) – handled around 2.28 million metric tonnes of goods during the January-March period, marking a significant increase compared with the same period a year earlier.
The Port of Durrës remained the country’s dominant maritime hub, accounting for 95.2% of total cargo throughput, or approximately 2.17 million tonnes. Cargo volumes at the port rose 39.8% year-on-year, reflecting stronger trade activity and improved logistics flows.
The ports of Vlorë and Shëngjin processed 62,000 tonnes and 40,000 tonnes of goods respectively, while Sarandë handled around 7,000 tonnes.
Metals and metal products represented the largest share of transported goods at 17.6%, followed by refined petroleum products at 14.3% and coal, crude oil and natural gas at 12.7%.
Port activity also increased in terms of vessel traffic, with 265 ship entries and departures recorded during the quarter, including 248 foreign vessels, up 28.6% from a year earlier.
Passenger transport through Albania’s ports also expanded, with 154,019 travellers recorded in the first quarter. Durrës accounted for 77.5% of total passenger traffic, followed by Sarandë with 14.4% and Vlorë with 8.1%.
Meanwhile, the volume of imports and exports transported by sea reached 1.31 million tonnes, up 3.6% year-on-year, according to INSTAT.
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