Dutch firm Royal HaskoningDHV and Albanian consultant Abkons have announced plans for two projects: a seaport in Porto Romano, Albania, and a dry port in Pristina, Kosovo.

The Albanian port will replace the existing port of Durres, moving it 9 kilometers north to its new location in the port of Romano. Abkons and Royal Haskoning have completed the master plan for the scheme and are working on the design of the first phase.

The current Port of Durres ruins will be transformed into a leisure-focused seaside destination. An inland transshipment terminal will be built near Kosovo's capital Pristina, which will be connected to Porto Romano by road and rail. The governments of Albania and Kosovo have already received these plans.

Albanian Prime Minister Eddie Rama said I am delighted to see plans for the new port in Porto Romano. This is a great opportunity to set new standards in planning and connectivity. The plan allows the entire region to benefit from increased trade, opportunities and environmental improvements.

Erik Oostwegel, CEO of Royal HaskoningDHV, said starting from a blank canvas is a rare privilege for our port planners and engineers. On the industrial side of mobile port operations, we basically have the opportunity to plan an entirely new port that will help improve transport logistics across the Balkans. Keywords: engineering news, overseas news

Redi Basha, CEO of Abkon, added that the economic and social impact of Porto Romano on Albania gives us a special responsibility. The port will be the gateway to the Western Balkans. If these projects move forward, port operations could begin in 2025.Editor/Xing Wentao