Professional Documents
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GENERAL
ALBANIA
(See Plan)
GEO-POLITICAL:
Capital City: Tirana.
Nationality: (noun) Albanian, (adjective) Albanian.
Population: 3,581,655.
COMMUNICATIONS:
International Direct Dial Code: 355.
Number of Internal Airports: 3.
Major Languages Spoken: Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect),
Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects.
ECONOMY:
Currency: 1 Lek (ALL) of 100 Qintars.
Exchange: (as of October 2005)
US$ 1.00 ALL 101.99
Exchange rates under licence from XE.com
Main Industries: Food processing, textiles and clothing, lumber, oil,
cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower.
ENVIRONMENT:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Continental Shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of
exploitation.
Coastline Extent: 362 km.
Climate: Mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry
summers; interior is cooler and wetter.
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite,
copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower.
Natural Hazards: Destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along
southwestern coast; floods; drought.
Terrain: Mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast.
Cash: Lek is currency. US$1.00 142 Leks (March 2002). Foreign currency
may be exchanged (approx. 5 days notice).
Provisions: Government ship chandler. Fresh vegetables good, fish available
at moderate prices, meat not recommended.
Laundry: Available. Reasonable price, average standard.
Crew: Repatriation is reportedly possible, however it takes three days to get
an exit visa.
Shore leave is permitted. A special pass has to be obtained to visit the
town. Tours to Tirana by car can be arranged with prior notice.
If ships Master requires gangway watch, ships crew to perform guard
duty.
Port Facilities: Berthing facilities for ten ocean-going vessels. Sufficient 5 ton
shore cranes available. Railway tracks to most quays. Main imports are
coal/coke. Exports are chrome ore. Priority for Albanian vessels. One floating
crane. Lack of mechanisation reduces work rate. Forklift trucks available,
capacity 3.2 32 tons.
Agency: Adtare (private agency) in port area. There are many other private
ships Agents available. The Agents visit vessel twice daily and speak
adequate English and are reasonably helpful.
Fresh Water: Available from barge at US$1.50 per ton approx.
Fuel Oil: Heavy oil and diesel oil delivered by road tankers (limited amounts).
Local Regulations: Permission to immobilise engines must be obtained.
Garbage is collected daily (compulsorily) in plastic sacks. Permission required
prior to de-ballasting.
Watchmen: Not required as gangway guards provided.
AUTHORITY: Port of Durres Authority, Durres, Albania. Tel: +355 (52)
23115. FAX: +355 (52) 23115. Email: a.p.d.@san.com.al Contact: Partizan
Osmani, Port Director.