May 16 - Leer, Germany headquartered EMS Shipping and Trading has won the tender to operate the East-Terminal in the Port of Durres, Albania.
The newly founded EMS Albanian Port Operator Sh.p.k. (EMS APO) will run the Albanian terminal, effective June 2013.
Sokol Olldashi, minister of public works and transportation, and Manfred Müller, md of EMS, were on hand to sign the contract agreement that has a maturity of 35 years.
Currently, the East-Terminal is used primarily for minerals and ores, coal, scrap and other goods, although according to EMS Shipping the gateway is hampered by inadequate infrastructure.
"In the forthcoming years EMS will invest several millions into the infrastructure and develop the East-Terminal into a modern and cost efficient terminal," stated Müller.
He explained that improvements will include the deepening of the shipping channel to a draft of 11 m to allow the access of vessels up to 55,000 dwt. Additionally, EMS will invest in modern equipment such as cranes, terminal equipment and office buildings.
The East-Terminal already has a storage area of 200,000 sq m, two berths with a combined length of 430 m.
EMS APO expects to handle approximately 1 million tons of cargo per year - with throughput rising to 2 million tonnes per year after the dredging work is completed.
EMS Shipping and Trading is already active in Durres, through its subsidiaries Albanian Stevedoring Company and German Albanian Logistics Agency.
www.emsship.de
