The draft, now open for public consultation, would establish a system for measuring, reporting and verifying emissions from ships, with standardized requirements for maritime transport companies.

The system would cover carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, while operators would be required to document fuel consumption and other data related to voyages and ship operations.

The data would be independently verified by accredited bodies rather than relying solely on companies’ own declarations, the draft says.

The rules would mainly apply to commercial cargo and passenger ships operating to, from or between Albanian ports, with some requirements also extending to smaller vessels depending on their category.

Operators would have to submit annual emissions reports by March 31 for the previous year, following verification.

The monitoring system would also collect data on distance travelled, time at sea, cargo carried and ships’ energy efficiency.

The General Maritime Directorate would oversee implementation and approval of monitoring plans, while the National Environment Agency would monitor compliance with environmental requirements. Verifiers would be accredited by the General Directorate of Accreditation.

The explanatory report said the measures were not expected to create additional costs for the state budget, with private operators bearing the main implementation costs, including technical expertise and data verification.

The initiative is also intended to establish a reliable statistical basis for assessing shipping’s impact on the climate and developing policies to reduce emissions, while bringing Albania’s maritime sector closer to EU environmental standards.

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Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi appreciated that this decision paves the way for the development of Pashaliman shipyard and the establishment of a commercial cooperation with one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world.

According to Nufi, the shipyard will produce ships with a length of up to 82 meters, marking an important step in increasing the production and technological capacities of the maritime industry in Albania.

He emphasized that the shipyard will be completely transformed and adapted for the construction of ships of this category, while the investment is expected to bring benefits both for national security, for development of the technological industry and the creation of new jobs. /m.q/a.f/p.s./

Following the arrival of the Sapphire Princess and Europa in Saranda, hundreds of tourists are setting out to experience the rich cultural and natural attractions of the south.

A familiar sight on the Albanian Riviera, the Sapphire Princess made her latest return to Saranda, bringing thousands of visitors to the coast. As one of the premier ships visiting the area, its arrival is a highlight of the growing local tourism scene.

More cruise companies are choosing Saranda! The repeat visit of the ‘Sapphire Princess’ confirms our growing reputation as a key Mediterranean destination.

Port authorities and local institutions have prepared for a seamless, welcoming experience for all visitors.

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Today, the “Emerald Azzurra”, a luxury superyacht operated by Emerald Yacht Cruises stopped at the port of Durrës for the first time.

Prime Minister Edi Rama wrote in the social media that, “83 tourists from all over the world landed on our shores to discover the history of Durrës and the magic of Kruja, as this 110-meter-long superyacht will then continue its voyage towards the Italian coasts”.

Rama appreciated that the arrival of this superyacht is another evidence that Albania is no longer a secret in the Mediterranean, but a desired destination for those seeking authentic flavors, history and experiences.

The tourists visited the coastal city of Durrës, as well as the historical center of Kruja, getting acquainted with the cultural heritage and tourist attractions of the area.

Cruise tourism is a clear indicator that the Albanian tourism industry has entered a new stage of development, becoming a significant contributor to the country’s economy. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

Mayor of Vlora Ermal Dredha shared in the social media footage of the cruise ship “Hamburg” arriving at the port of Vlora.

“By sea and by land, tourists from all over the world have already started the season in Vlora. Since the early hours of the day, around 300 visitors from France, England and Belgium arrived on board of the cruise ship “Hamburg”, who will visit various places of our country,” wrote Dredha in the social media.

Yesterday, another cruise ship arrived at the port of Saranda, where tourists visited the tourist spots of the Southern city as well as the city of Gjirokastra.

Director of Saranda Port Authority Alket Qendro told ATA that, “The German “Plan Tour” cruise ship with 270 tourists of different nationalities visited Saranda. The focus of their visit was the ancient city of Butrint, various points 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, the Karahaxhi turnips, etc.” There are more and more cruise ships visiting the ports of Vlora, Saranda and Durrës. The visitors mainly come for the crystal clear water beaches of the Ionian Sea and the rich cultural heritage of Albania. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Attending the special ceremony held today at the Port of Durrës were leaders of the Navy from both countries and the Italian Ambassador to Albania Marco Alberti.

Italian Ambassador Alberti stated that, “It is not the first time that the Vespucci ship is in Durrës, but it is always the first time when the Vespucci ship comes. There are over 1500 young people from schools who will visit the ship”.

Meanwhile, Commander of the Naval Force, Rear Admiral Adnan Agastra visited the “Libra”, which is donated to the Albanian Naval Force. He said that today there was also signed the relevant Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of the Italian ship to the Naval Force of the Republic of Albania.

“This is a ship with very good operational capabilities, highly integrated with all NATO capabilities and will serve during its period of service in the Naval Force of the Republic of Albania, not only in missions in the interest of security and peace in the maritime space of the Republic of Albania in the Adriatic and Ionian, but also more widely in the Mediterranean, where the NATO tasks and missions will require us”, said Agastra.

The main tasks of the unit are patrolling national coasts, monitoring fishing activities, controlling migratory flows, search and rescue for the protection of human life at sea and anti-pollution operations.

The “Libra” ship has a permanent crew of 64 men, including 3 officers, which increases to 81 during operational activity at sea. /j.p/p.s./

Vengu wrote in the social media that our country has been contributing to the NATO operation in the Aegean Sea.

Vengu emphasized that our Naval forces have carried out over 5,500 hours of patrolling in the period January-September 2024 and 304 people were rescued and detained in 10 naval operations.

“This year alone, the ships of our Naval Force have carried out over 5,500 hours of patrolling, participating in over 10 operations and rescuing and detaining over 300 illegal immigrants”, emphasized Minister Vengu./p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media photos from the ships of tourists in Lake Shkodra.

“Here are the first tourists ships in Shkodra”, wrote PM Rama.

The citizens of Shkodra themselves, as well as many tourists, can now enjoy an impressive landscape from the largest lake in the Balkans.

The government and the Albanian Development Fund have provided the first two tourist ships, Buna and Drini, with a capacity of 33 seats each and which will serve for navigation on the lake. Side by side, there is work underway on creation of 3 piers along the Buna Lake and river./p.s./

Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro made the statement today writing in a post in the social media.

Kumbaro added further that, “Applications are open to all entities that offer sailing activities for tourism and entertainment purposes from speedboats, jet skis, water skiing and every kind of similar activity”.

According to this instruction, the subject, which seeks to be equipped with the marine tourism operator’s certificate, for any marine tourism activity and/or for all activities, in addition to complying with the provisions of law no. 43/2020, must meet certain criteria such as be equipped with a XIII.1.B license as a tourist operator; contract with a port for the anchoring of vessels; to have an emergency management plan; to have in ownership or in use tourist vessels in technical condition suitable for the exercise of marine tourism activities, certified by the certificate of ownership or contract concluded between the notarized parties; to ensure the responsibilities towards third parties in the waters of the territorial sea of the Republic of Albania; to recognize and ensure implementation of the Code of Ethics of the Maritime Tourism Operator, approved by ministerial order./k.s/p.s./

Also, it is reported that international maritime transport ships for passengers and vehicles on the Vlora-Brindisi-Vlora line will not continue to operate normally according to the respective destinations, until the weather conditions improve.

“According to the weather forecast, the wind will blow at a speed up to 20-25m/s and wave height will be from 2.50 to 3.50 meters”, the maritime authority said.

To prevent any unexpected situation due to the weather conditions, the authorities request the cooperation of all entities that exercise activity in the maritime field, to take all the necessary measures to secure the means in the port and increase the readiness of the crew in the vessels. /p.s./