During the stop, the two sides held bilateral talks, and the crew took a trip to explore Tirana. The ship’s commander hosted an onboard reception for the Albanian Navy, military attachés and the German Embassy.

German Ambassador to Albania Karl Bergner praised the visit and thanked the Albanian Armed Forces for their support.

Measuring over 100 meters, the German support ship “MOSEL” serves as a vital floating logistics hub. It delivers fuel, fresh water, food, ammunition, and spare parts, while also offering repair and medical services to other vessels. Equipped with advanced communication and guidance systems, the ship plays a crucial role in supporting naval operations.

Following its missions in the Red Sea and near Djibouti, the “MOSEL” docked in Durrës, Albania, before continuing its journey back to Germany.

This visit highlights the strong and friendly military cooperation between the armed forces of Albania and Germany.

/gj.m/r.e/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media today footage showing the arrival of tourists at the port.

“A Regent Seven Seas cruise ship carrying 650 passengers arrived today, marking its first visit with a traditional ‘Maiden Call’ ceremony after company representatives reviewed the port’s facilities”, Rama wrote.

The Regent Seven Seas company has included Durrës in its tourist itineraries, while the novelty is related to the embarkation from the Port of Durrës of 80 passengers from different countries.

The company’s representatives positively assessed the conditions and facilities offered at the port for the reception and handling of the passengers.

On the occasion of the ship’s first visit to Durrës, the traditional “Maiden Call” ceremony was held on board. Attending were Durrës Port Authority CEO Liburn Aliu and Port Captain Taulant Allka.

During their stay in Albania, tourists will have the opportunity to visit some of the country’s most important historical and archaeological attractions, including the ancient city of Durrës, the Kruja Castle and the Berat museum center, protected by UNESCO.

The increased number of cruise ship arrivals in Durrës shows a positive trend in the development of maritime tourism and the increase in revenues from the tourism sector in the country. /k.s/ /a.g/p.s./

“The inclusion of Durrës and Sarandë on this route further cements Albania as a must-visit maritime destination. It gives passengers from around the world the perfect opportunity to experience the country’s unique blend of cultural heritage and breathtaking coastline”, emphasized Durres Port Authority. /p.s./

Director of Saranda port Admir Malaj told ATA that, “It is the second time this month that this cruise ship has Saranda as its port of call, marking the highest number of tourists that have come to Saranda and even more so outside the summer tourist season”.

“This is the 28th cruise ship to stop at the port of Saranda since April, when the first cruise ship arrived. The Sea Port will welcome 3 more cruise ships until the end of November”, said Malaj.

The tourist ship, known for its Mediterranean itineraries, will give visitors the opportunity to discover the natural and cultural beauties of Saranda and the surrounding areas, while simultaneously enlivening the tourist life and local economy of the coastal city.

The “Oosterdam” cruise ship, operated by the prestigious Holland America Line, visited Saranda 5 days ago, bringing 1,886 tourists. Part of the tourists’ itinerary included visits to Saranda’s tourist spots such as Butrint, Lëkurës Castle, Gjirokastra, Përmeti, Tepelena, etc. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

“WELCOME TO ALBANIA, USS MOUNT WHITNEY! It’s the FIRST port of call by a U.S. warship to Porto Romano. We’re excited for this next stage in Albania’s military modernization and this next step in the strong partnership between our nations”, is read in the post of the US embassy in the social media.

This event is considered an important moment in the context of strengthening strategic cooperation between Albania and the US in the field of defense and security. /p.s./

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, wished the crew of this ship a successful mission, while expressing his full confidence in their professionalism, dedication and discipline in successfully accomplishing the tasks and objectives of this mission.

Kingji emphasized that this commitment reflects the valuable contribution of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania and the close cooperation with the NATO allies for peace, security and the protection of human lives.

“May the personnel of the “Lissus” ship have a successful mission while being part of the NATO operation in the Aegean Sea. I express my full confidence in your professionalism, dedication and discipline in successfully fulfilling the tasks and objectives of this mission. This commitment reflects the valuable contribution of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania and the close cooperation with the NATO allies for peace, security and the protection of human lives”, wrote Kingji in a post in the social media. /gj.m/r.e/p.s./

Albania’s Ministry of Defense shared some images from the Adriatic Sea where the Naval Force “Oriku” ship participated in the regional exercise “ADRION LIVEX 25” in Montenegro, together with the naval forces of the six Adriatic and Ionian countries.

The “ADRION LIVEX” exercise, which takes place every year, aims to promote cooperation and mutual understanding as well as increase interoperability between the naval forces of Adriatic – Ionian Initiative (ADRION), through scenarios related to maritime security in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. /e.i/p.s./

An authentic expedition ship, the National Geographic Orion serves as a luxury base camp for trips to the South Pacific, Asia, the Mediterranean and the polar regions.

This ship is built for exploration, equipped with kayaks, a fleet of Zodiacs and a remotely operated vehicle with sophisticated video equipment.

Upon arrival at the port, the tourists were directed to visit the tourist spots of Saranda and Gjirokastra.

Each departure of the National Geographic Orion is accompanied by an underwater specialist, a National Geographic-Lindblad certified photography instructor, a National Geographic photography expert and a full-time medical professional.

On trips to the South Pacific, 2 dive masters will join each expedition.

This week started yesterday with the arrival at the port of Saranda of the tourist ship “L’Austral” with 264 tourists. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

The Seabourn Encore is a luxury cruise ship, part of the Seabourn fleet.

The ship will stay in the port of Saranda until around 19:00 in the evening.

Most tourists have preferred to explore the area with tourist guides where their focus is on the ancient city of Butrint, various spots and tourist attractions within the city of Saranda, such as: The Jewish synagogue, the Museum of Tradition, the Art Gallery, etc., as well as the Blue Eye. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted on this occasion the significance of close cooperation between Albania and Italy. Rama said that this cooperation is more than a ship, adding that thanks to this new era of relations between Albania and Italy, we are benefiting from Italy’s assistance and sense of strategic partnership towards Albania.

“It is my habit, that when I have to receive friends from Italy I speak in Italian, I also save time this way. My heartfelt thanks to Italy’s minister of defense and Pm Georgia Meloni. This is a gesture of friendship, but also of great respect towards Albania, towards the Armed Forces of Albania, which in context of this new era of relations between Albania and Italy are benefiting from the assistance and sense of strategic partnership of Italy towards Albania. This ship is very visible evidence and just a meeting point of what we are doing together.

I want to assure everyone that what we are doing together is more than a ship. It is more than the material aspect, as we are working to create an important synergy between these two Adriatic Sea countries to put together new ideas and new energies, to continue together and to always transform this friendship into something good, for both our countries, for both our states”, said Rama.

PM Rama also noted that the current period is a time of challenges that could not have been imagined a few years ago, while adding that this alliance between Albania and Italy is becoming more and more strategic.

“And, as the minister put it, I am honored by his friendship. We live in times of challenges that we could not imagine just a few years ago and this pushes us to unite everything we can, to cooperate as much as we can because it no longer matters whether you are small or big, but what is important is that each one is an added value and in this prism, this alliance between Albania and Italy is becoming increasingly strategic, important and linked in common interests for both countries and states”, said Rama.

In conclusion, Rama thanked the Italian military team that participated in this gesture of respect. /r.e//a.f/p.s./