Albania Sea Ports & Ferry Connections
Investor view of how Albania moves goods and people by sea - where ro-ro and passenger flows connect, how trucks are processed, and why the coastline matters for market access and supply chains.
Adriatic–Ionian gateway
Ro-ro + passengers + project cargo
Lane-based embarkation
Low operating costs
Headline metrics
Recent snapshots to frame decisions
Durrës share of sea freight (Q3–Q4 2024 / Q1–Q2 2025)
≈ 94–95% of national volume
Dominant gateway by tonnage.
Durrës cargo throughput (2023)
≈ 2.1 million tonnes
+28% vs 2022; containers +38% y/y.
Durrës passengers (2023)
≈ 827,800
Largest passenger hub on the coast.
National seaports (2024)
≈ 7.7 million tonnes
Combined volume across ports.
Figures are orientation points from recent official releases. Confirm specifics with operators for planning.
Corridors & access
Hinterland links that drive routing choices
North-west axis
ShëngjinFast reach to Shkodër / Montenegro corridor for coastal deliveries and regional flows.
DurrësFeeds the Tirana–Durrës industrial belt; onward to northern highways for exports.
Central spine
DurrësMain sea-freight node with steady ro-ro frequency and large marshalled lanes.
IndustrialDistribution hubs for FMCG, auto spares, white goods and e-commerce intake.
Southern arc
VlorëSouthern Adriatic option via A2 for Riviera and south-coast industries.
SarandëLight-vehicle logistics; short Ionian links with strong seasonal service density.
Port dossiers
Role • flows • lanes • when to prefer
🚢 Durrës Port
Adriatic hubRo-ro & passengersLarge terminals
FlowsAdriatic crossings; steady ro-ro trucks; frequent overnight sailings.
LanesDedicated staging with marshal guidance; clear pre-gate signage.
Use casePrimary gateway for fleets and scheduled ro-ro; broadest capability set.
SeasonYear-round core; denser in summer.
🚢 Vlorë Port
Southern coastRo-ro + fast craftSeasonal waves
FlowsAdriatic service to Brindisi; greater seasonal variation.
LanesCar vs fast-ferry counters can differ — follow terminal signage.
Use caseSouthern gateway for coastal industries and Riviera last-mile.
SeasonPeaks in summer; arrive earlier for curb space.
🚢 Sarandë Port
Corfu linkFast ferriesDay-trip heavy
FlowsShort Ionian hops; passenger-centric; limited vehicle capacity on some runs.
LanesCompact gates; not a heavy-truck hub.
Use caseTourism-linked logistics and light vehicles.
SeasonVery seasonal with multiple daily runs in peak months.
🚢 Shëngjin Port
North coastCompact terminalsDriver-friendly
FlowsRegional connections; frequency varies by service.
LanesSmaller staging; arrive early for inspections if requested.
Use caseConvenient for northwest itineraries and coastal deliveries.
SeasonVaries; confirm overnight parking options.
Routes & time bands
Indicative durations — season affects frequency
🕓Vlorë ↔ Brindisi
SeasonUp to several departures/day in summer
🕓Sarandë ↔ Corfu
SeasonMultiple runs daily in peak months
🕓Durrës — Adriatic services
ProfileOvernight sailings common; steady ro-ro demand
PassengerFoot + vehicle mix; separate counters
PeakDense summer schedules
Exact timetables and capacity are set by operators.
Freight playbook
What your team should expect
Booking — secure sailing window; declare vehicle dimensions; confirm driver documents.
Pre-arrival — terminal assignment; drivers keep ID, ticket/QR, vehicle papers and insurance ready.
Check-in & lanes — counters verify tickets; lane marshals position trucks and light vehicles.
Border & customs — document checks and inspections as required; heavy vehicles may use separate lots.
Embarkation — follow marshal signals; secure loads; handbrake/gear as instructed.
Arrival — disembark in lane order; follow customs/exit and onward routing.