REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Ministry of Public Works and Transport DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF TRANSPORT POLICIES AND PLANNING

Transcription

1 REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Ministry of Public Works and Transport DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF TRANSPORT POLICIES AND PLANNING Address: Sheshi Skënderbej, No.5, Tel/Fax: : Tel: ; Kujtim.Hashorva@mppt.gov.al Introduction In many countries in the world, tourist activity is considered even more important than productive activity in economic and social activity. Developed tourism is witnessed when a strong request exists, where natural benefits like climate, natural beauties, environment and relevant structures favor it and transport communication plays a decisive role. Development of tourism is closely related to investments and employment. In this frame, during activities like hostelry, restaurant and bars, commercial centers, transport communication and other different infrastructure constructions favoring growing employment in tourist areas, have increased. Incomes from tourism are reflected in the balance sheet offering the possibility to be invested for the development of important tourist areas. In 2010 arrivals of foreign citizens in Albania is increased 30.2 percent compared with 2010, that mainly from Kosovo, Macedonia, and Montenegro. Number of clients in hotels is increased 23.9 percent compared with previous years. For 2010 the average hotel overnights was 2.5. ARRIVALS OF FOREIGNERS BY MEANS OF TRANSPORT ( ) (in thousands ) ,126 1,419 1,856 2,418 Total By air By sea ,024 By 1,414 1,956 land Data Sources: Data on entrances and exits of foreign and Albanian citizens in the borders-ministry of Interior, Department for Border and Migration 1

2 Control authorities in ALABANIA (Road transport) Items to be controlled State police Local police Customs Transport*M inistry Road administration Authorised technical experts/ workshops Other authorised bodies or officers Traffic regulations and driving licences X X X Authorisations for international road transport (bilateral, EU, ECMT...) X X X X 1 Special authorisations for carriage of passengers and other related documents (e.g. list of passengers) X X X T1 documents or TIR Carnets X X X X 1 Weights and dimensions X X X X Certificate for carriage of perishable foodstuffs and special equipment to be used for such carriage (ATP) X X X Documents on veterinary and phytosanitary control X X 2 +X 3 Road user charges X X X 1 Technical conditions of motor vehicles X X X X X 1 Regulations on driving hours and rest periods X X X X 4 Regulations on transport of dangerous goods X X X X X 1 Note: * Ministry of Public Works and Transport 1 Ministry of Finance (MoF) 2 Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumers Protection (MAFCP) 3 Ministry of Health 4. Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (MLSAEO) Data Sources: Ministry of Public Works and Transport 2

3 Strategic Objective of policy of Road Transport Infrastructure The institution in charge of the road transport activity is the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), which deals with drafting the policies of road transport (introduction to the transport market of the transport operators for goods and passengers) and regulatory functions (licenses of urban, interurban and international transport of passengers and transport of goods). The MPWT is the supreme body which represents the Republic of Albania in the bilateral and multilateral agreements and conventions regarding road transport, as well as in monitoring the road transport market. The development of the national transport network infrastructure will facilitate the movement of people and goods, will bring markets closer and as a result will promote business, will increase access to important basic services, such as health and education with a direct impact on the citizens living standards, while the development of the national road network, crossborder roads, port facilities and airports will help achieve greater integration with the region and the European single market. Road infrastructure has been and remains one of the most important priorities of the Albanian Government, until the year 2015, and the evidence of this is the continuation of major investments, and the beginning of new road projects. The National Road Network in Albania is about 18,000 km long including about 3,719 km of National Roads: the primary road network is about 1,200 km (the main corridors), with nine main connections which made up the basis of the network. Total length of the secondary network is about 2,500 km; 10,500 km are interurban roads, and the rest of 4,000 km is under the jurisdiction of autonomous units, enterprises or companies. The Road Code of Republic of Albania defines six categories of road in regards to their constructions, technical standards of the project and the functional characteristics: Highways, primary interurban roads, secondary interurban roads, primary urban roads, secondary urban roads and local roads. These roads are further divided, according to their ownership, into state roads, district roads, internal roads (roads under the jurisdiction of several special enterprises such as miners or forestry) and communal roads (all roads inside the territory of communes or municipalities). To strengthen its ties with its European partners the Government of Albania signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Core Network on 11 June 2003 creating the South East Europe Transport Observatory (SEETO). The main aim of this organization is: to promote cooperation on the development of the main and ancillary infrastructure on the multimodal South East Europe Core Regional Transport Network and to promote and enhance local capacity for the implementation of investments program, management and data collection and analysis on the Core Regional Transport Network.. In joining this organization Albania s objective was to facilitate its integration within Southeast Europe in compliance with the goals of the SAA including segments of the Pan- European Corridors IV, V, VII and X and specifically, Corridor VIII (Durres Varna via Tirana) including the ports of Durres and Vlora, and Tirana International Airport. The SEETAC South East Europe Transport Axis Cooperation project is funded under the South East Europe Programme. Among its partners, SEETAC gathers institutions in the field of transport and environment in the region, such as the Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, as well as EU candidates and potential candidates countries: Albania, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro as well as the South East Europe Transport Observatory (SEETO). 3

4 The project aims at analysing possible integration between the Western Balkan and the EU transport systems in order to generate transport continuity and infrastructure development in the European area and beyond, thus implicitly leading to a rising competitiveness and economic development with the ultimate aim of integrated the WB countries in the European single market. Moreover, the project contributes to the solution of the cross-border bottlenecks and the lack of harmonization among the participating countries. It tackles both the administrative problems, such as missing institutional and legal transnational framework, as well as common safety, security and environmental standards, harmonisation of transport modes. The SEETAC project works in line with existing EU policies (i.e. EU Transport acquis, EU transport network, negotiations of the EU-Western Balkan Transport treaty, Green Paper on Future TEN-T Networks, conditions within the Stabilisation and Association Process, EU environmental policy and the list of existing priority projects developed by SEETO). Trans-European networks Main Network The part of the Main Regional Network within the Albanian territory ( a length of 950 km) consists of the East-West axe complying with the Paneuropean Corridor No.8, the North- South Axe (including the central southern corridor, Tiranë-Elbasan-Berat-Tepelenë, recently introduced in the modified main network upon the proposal of the Albanian Government and the approval of the Steering Committee of SEETO, Skopje 2009), by which Greece is linked with Montenegro and further with the Corridor Durrës Morine (the border with Kosovo), which connects the Paneuropean Corridors No.8 and 10. This network is fully included in the priorities of the multiannual program of Albanian Government. Our railway network is almost fully included in the main Regional Network. The Government aims to support the Albanian Railway Company for its development in line with the paces of the domestic economic growth. THE MAIN INTERNATIONAL CORRIDORS OF INTEREST TO ALBANIA INCLUDE: The North-South Corridor between Greece and Montenegro via Kakavija on the Albanian border and Gjirokaster, Shkoder and Hani i Hotit, whose length is 405 km. Corridor VIII (East West National Road Corridor): Bari, Brindisi (IT) - Durres,Vlore-Tirane (AL) Skopje (MK) - Sofje Burgas,Varna (BG). Corridor VIII is the southernmost among the West-East Pan-European Corridors, linking the Adriatic/Ionian region and Balkans to the Black Sea. Part of Corridor VIII in Albanian territory is port of Durres (branch port of Vlora in south of Albania) - Tirana until the FYR of Macedonia border. The construction of Tirana Elbasan road, 30 km long, (included 2.1 km tunnel), part of Central-South axis and the main connection to the Corridor VIII. The Durres Kukes Morine - Kosovo border Corridor, 115 long (included 5.6 km tunnel). It is seen as having major potential regional impact by providing a better connection to Corridor X and to Serbia through Pristina. In Albanian territory is totally open for traffic. Now is under construction part of this corridor in territory of Kosovo. 4

5 The Durres Kukes Morine (AL) Pristina (KS) - Nish (SR) corridor or namely arterial 7 in Core (Comprehensive) Regional Network of the South East Europe Transport. It is already sensibly improve the trade relations between the countries of the Adriatic Sea and Mediterrian Sea through the Ports of Durrës and Shëngjin as well as influence in the increase of their trading activities in our country, especially with Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia, other Balkan countries as Rumania, Bulgaria and further on. It is considered as the most optimal link of the pan-european corridor VIII with corridor X in the Durrës Kukës Prishtine Nish itinerary for the main regional network. Moreover its construction already is done affect the reduction of distances and cost of the transport of goods and passengers through the port of Durrës to Kosovo, which currently is been carried out through the Port of Thessalonica, transit through Macedonia. The connection of the two important markets between Albania and Kosovo, shall contribute to exploiting all the economic resources, mine industry, forestry and tourism in particular. Central-South Corridor, Tirane Elbasan Berat - Tepelene - Tre Urat (Greek Border) Arber Road which links Tirana with border with Macedonia, (70 km). Rrogozhine - Thumane (Short link of the Corridor VIII with North-South Corridor), 61 km long. This Highway is foreseen for Concession BOT. Tourist roads towards the coastal areas: are ccompleted roads connecting beaches of the coastal areas The main Mountain tourist routes road segments are upgraded and others are under construction phase. MAXIMUM WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS PERMISSIBLE MAXIMUM WEIGHTS (in tonnes) Trucks Weight per bearing axle Weight per drive axle Lorry 2 axles Lorry 3 axles Road Train 4 axles Road Train 5 axles and + Articulated Vehicle 5 axles and (3) (2) (2) With air suspension or similar; (3) Weight per drive axle: national traffic = 10t; international traffic = 11.5t PERMISSIBLE MAXIMUM DIMENSIONS TRUCKS HEIGHT WIDTH LENGTH Lorry or Trailer Road Train Articulated Vehicle 4 m 2,55 m (3) (3). Vehicles at controlled temperatures = 2.60 m 12 m m PERMISSIBLE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF COACHES m 2 axles > 2 axles + Trailer Articulated 12 m 12 m m m

6 NUMBER OF VEHICLES CORRIDOR VIII: ALIGNMENT AS DEFINED IN MoU Road 960 km, Rail 1270 km TRAFFIC FORECAST IN CORRIDOR VIII AREA DURRES - KAVAJE KAVAJE - RROGOZHINE RROGOZHINE - PEQIN PEQIN - ELBASAN ELBASAN - LIBRAZHD LIBRAZHD - Q. THANE Q. THANE - DOGANE Q. THANE - POGRADEC POGRADEC - TUSHEMISHT POGRADEC - KORCE KORCE - KAPSHTICE YEARS 6

7 Road Transport Development Policy Creation of a common integrated infrastructure network for tourism and trade challenge. - Develop International connections with EU and regional countries. (Corridor VIII and Core Network). - Soft measures - International &bilateral agreements - Reducing non-physical barriers and waiting times at border-crossings (Border issues constitute major barriers to trade, tourism and transport; Improving Infrastructure, Procedure, Staff). - Modernise facilities and train Customs officers - Develop Single window strategy - Transport infrastructure and living standard-promoting family tourism - Develop feeder, rural and tourist transport infrastructure Aims: - Bring markets closer - Avoid the creation of overcrowded areas - Optimal distribution of the traffic flow - Reduction of traffic accidents and pollution The legal approximation and administrative capacity. In the field of road transport sector, in compliance with NPISAA (National Plan of Implementation of Stabilisation Agreement of Association), have been completed the legal initiatives that are related with the definition of qualitative criteria that must be fulfilled for the admission to the occupation of road haulage and passenger transport operator; the rules on organization of employer s working time that apply road transport, drivers hours and recording equipment, etc. Pursuant to Article 11 of Protocol 5 of the SAA, are defined and implemented the rules regarding unrestricted transportation between Albania and EU Member States. The Albanian Assembly has already ratified agreements and conventions of the Economic Commission of the United Nations for Europe (UNECE), part of Acquis Communautaire in the area of road transport: - The European Agreement relating to the Work of Drivers of Vehicles in the International Road Transport (AETR); - Convention on the Contract for International Road Carriers of Goods, of 1956 (CMR), and its Protocol - European Agreement on Main Arteries of International Traffic, of 15 November 1957 (AGR), - European Agreement on Important International Lines of Combined Transport and Related Installations (AGTC), of 1 February 1991, - Convention on the taxation of motor vehicles in the international transport of passengers, - Convention on the taxation of motor vehicles for private use in the international traffic, - European Convention on Customs Treatment of Palettes used in International Transport, - European Agreement on Application of article 23 of the Convention of 1949 on the road traffic, in relation to dimensions and weights of vehicles permitted to travel in certain routes of contracting parties. 7

8 The development of road infrastructure is a priority, in particular the development of national road network integrated with the Paneuropean corridors but also the development of combined transport. Special importance is given to the Strategy of Transport Development in Albania for full integration with the European Network TEM & TER (Transport European Motorway and Transport European Railway). The transport research and study programs in our national priorities are based upon: The Albanian National Transport Plan National Strategy for Development and Integration Strategy for Transport development in Albania Albania is in the process of negotiating the Treaty for a Transport Community with the Western Balkans to establish an integrated transport market with the European Commission. The treaty aims to: Accelerate the integration of the transport systems, establishing an integrated market for infrastructure and land transport, maritime transport and inland waterways; Align the relevant legislation in the Balkans region with that of the EU, harmonizing rules on safety, environmental protection and transport services. In case of occasional/touristic services resident transport operator of international passengers is provided with documentation according to Interbus Agreement. (This agreement is in force for Albania on 1 July 2005). Combined transport Combined transport in our country is at a low level. Although in our country are operating all types of transport. The interaction between them is weak, mainly for lack of inadequate port infrastructure, but also in efficiency and poor technical condition of the railway. However there is a relative fast growth in the transport of containers at the port of Durres. Construction of container terminal at the port of Durres and the fuel in Porto-Romano (who will also have rail connection), rehabilitation of the rail network and rail service reform will give a positive impact to improve the interoperability between different types of transport. INVENTORY OF ROAD VEHICLES ( ) Year Road Trucks and Road vehicles Cars Buses/Minibuses Vans tractors Motorcycles Trailers , ,532 16,806 43,301 2,274 3,808 5, , ,533 20,813 49,600 2,721 3,447 6, , ,531 21,026 51,960 2,670 3,400 6, , ,782 21,693 53,900 2,957 3,896 6, , ,004 25,066 46,809 1,966 4,877 5, , ,125 29,453 45,437 1,896 7,170 5, , ,114 35,973 39,279 2,039 11,639 6, , ,932 29,506 59,645 1,976 13,859 6, , ,828 6,645 79,054 1,987 18,329 7, , ,236 6,594 79,905 1,969 20,874 7, , ,729 7,032 84,314 1,997 24,022 7,799 8

9 INVENTORY OF BORDER CROSSING PROBLEMS Develop and implement European customs procedures, especially the TIR Convention for transit traffic; Introduce better risk analysis techniques, improving intelligence and control procedures, in order to combine security and safety needs and the need for the free flow of trade; Enhance and improve cooperation between customs services of Administrations of Beneficiary Countries (ABCs) and between them and other services, particulary the police; Assist customs administrations in modernizing offices, particularly border offices, through the identification of infrastructure and fixed and mobile equipment (Hardware, Software, Scanning machines etc. ) needed to implement cost-effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy in the Administrations activities; Assist in implementing information systems; Help in setting up an automated customs context, by developing, if possible, interoperating systems for communication and information exchange, also introducing all the necessary administrative and legal changes; Help ABCs implement a Single Window strategy; Increase, through planning and control activities, the efficiency of Customs Administrations, by optimizing and implementing the management of human, technological and financial resources. At the beginning of 2009 Albania signed the ATA Convention (Temporary Admission). A specific activity is underway with the Chamber of Commerce, aimed at defining the procedures for the delivery of TIR Carnets. Customs facilities and improvement - Positive aspect is construction of One Single Window (One Stop Border Control between Albania and Montenegro, in Murriqan - Sukobine) Albania s foreign trade is dominated by the EU (90% of total flows) and particularly, Italy and Greece, representing more than 70% of the total. Except for the few commodities to Kosovo and Macedonia which are imported through the port of Durres, there is little and decreasing interregional and transit traffic with the Balkan neighbouring countries, mainly due to poor transport connections, accentuated by other non-physical barriers some of them specific for our region. The situation is, however, gradually improving and picking up with re-establishment of the railway connection with Montenegro and with the improvement of border crossing facilities at the borders with Montenegro, Macedonia and Greece. Albania in the framework of implementation of Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) grants unrestricted access to EU transit traffic to cross its territory and provides for applying non discriminatory road charges as well as for a timetable for harmonisation of the road safety legislation with the EU. RAIL TRANSPORT The current structural organisation of the railway transport is based on three main levels: 9

10 1) The level of drafting and updating the railway transport policies, as well as the role of the regulatory entity is responsibility of the MPWTT, and is conducted by the Railway Transport Policy Section in this Ministry; 2) The level of operation made up of railway transporters. At present there is only one railway transport operator which is the Albanian Railway A.C. (Hekurudha Shqiptare Inc.) which operates as an integrated railway transporter. In 2008, the infrastructure sector will be separated from the sector of goods transport and passengers transport. One legal person has submitted the request to obtain the license of railway transporters to operate in the network. 3) The level of the infrastructure administration - the management of capacity and maintenance is integral part of the Albanian Railway starting from 1 July 2008 and has been separated from the transport. Physical infrastructure Albanian rail network is 425 km main track long, single track not is electrification and 225 km secondary track; (Maximum gradient 18%, Gauge 1435 mm); 20.5 ton/axial with 50 railways points. Facilities and infrastructure in very poor condition With high safety hazards Traffic volumes : decreasing since 1990 Passenger traffic: 645,000 passenger trips in 2009 (31.5 million passengerskm) Average journey length : 48.9 km Freight traffic: 343,000 tons in 2009 (45.5 million tons-km) Average haul : km International freight increased from 49,400 to 207,500 tons between 2005 and Rolling stock & operations An aging fleet in bad condition, but sufficient for present and anticipated traffic levels; The vision of the sector is the integration of our railway network into the regional transport network. This vision is based on two political Agreements: - Memorandum of Understanding of Pan European Corridor VIII on Transport, signed in Bar, on 9 September 2002, by Ministers of Transport of Italy, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and the European Union representatives; - Agreement On Establishment of a High Performance Railway Network in Southeastern Europe, signed in Thessalonica on 4 May 2006 by the Balkan Ministers of Transport; The main objectives to be achieved are as follows: The increase of the goods transportation because this transport generates considerable revenues. Running of the transport for passengers in the conditions of a functional railway system. The operation of many trains in the public transport is also envisaged, with improved standards mainly in the most populated areas. Tirana Capital station is 35 km distance from Durres port by road, by road 13 km distance from Rinas airport. Passenger station is separated from freight station). 10

11 International linkage through Corridor VIII: Once the rehabilitation of the rail network is well underway, Albanian Railways will need to complete the connection to FYR of Macedonia. Albania as a member of SEETO has committed itself to providing rail access to its port facilities at Durres and Vlora as a partner in Corridor VIII. The cost of building the 2.8 km connection to the border falls between 6 and 7 million Euros. The end of the railway line in FYR of Macedonia to the Albanian border is roughly 66 km. In addition, the link between Skopje and Sofia has to be completed. Estimates when all these works will be built vary; a recent assessment indicated that 10 years might be needed. MARITIME TRANSPORT Albania is a coastal country; its coastal border is 440 km, so it has favorable conditions for development of the Maritime Sector. There are six commercial ports (Durrës, Vlore, Sarande, Shëngjin, Porto Romano near Durres, Petrofilera north of Vlora, etc). Port of Durres is the main Port in Albania and the Gateway of Corridor VII, for manufacturing goods, containers & passengers and as a Portal Authority, based on Low No. 9130, date , is currently under the final phase of its transformation to become Land-Lord Port. Passenger traffic is an important component of maritime transport. Using ferries, the major origin and destination are the Adriatic ports of Italy: Bari, Brindisi, Ancona, and Trieste. The development of Maritime Transport based on the Albanian National Transport Plan (ANTP), adopted by the Government in May 2006 and the Strategy of Sector of Transport adopted by the Government in September All the activities carried out on the sea cover a wide range of different activities such as: maritime transportation of passengers and goods internal/domestic transportation (cabotage) touristic and sports navigation. monitoring of maritime traffic and hydrograph/surveillance. industry of ship building sea ports protection of the sea environment training, licensing of seamen etc. sea resources (fishing, gas/oil, tourism) Although Albania is a coastal country with a favourable geographic position, maritime is in the process of development in these directions: Legitimacy and the national maritime right. Implementation of the requirements of the maritime International Conventions Sea Ports Maritime/sea Transport Port safety and sailing safety Environmental protection Currently the Albanian maritime legal system is based on four essential laws: - The Maritime Code adopted by Law No. 9251, dated , which defines the competences, tasks, responsibilities and the structure of the Maritime Sector, as well as the relations between political bodies and different institutions and Ministries. - The Law on Portal Authority No. 9130, dated , which explains the specific organization and management of sea ports in Albania. 11

12 - The Law on Safety on the Ship and in Port No. 9281, dated , sets up the legal basis for controlling and implementing the requirements of the ISPS Code on any Ships/Ferries which carry out international transport and Sea Ports. - The law No , date on Maritime Administration in Republic of Albania, which consists of setting up the structure of the Maritime Administration. Albania has ratified and adhered into a number of conventions in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization, ( UNCLOS, SOLAS, STCW 78, SAR, IMO, MARPOL, etc.). AIR TRANSPORT The only functioning airport in Albania is the Tirana International Airport (TIA) "Mother Theresa". The airport is located about 25 km to the north-west (16 km in air line) of Tirana. TIA is managed and operated as Public Private Partnership (PPP) concession based on BOOT modality. Albania is an ICAO member and ECAC member, a member of the European Organization for Air Navigation Security (EUROCONTROL), and a candidate member of JAA. The development of sectorial policies includes: I. The legal and institutional approximation, as well as the implementation of obligations deriving from membership in International and European Organisations; Passenger movements in and out of TIA Year Passengers x1,000 1,287 1,573 Annual Growth 10.5% By the end of 2008 the number of passengers reached 1,287,000 a figure predicted to be reached by the end of A large number of airlines now use TIA. Italy is best served having the most connections. Most of them are short haul one to two hour flights with the exception of longer flights to London and Brussels, (direct flights). Long haul passengers connect through Germany, London, Vienna, Rome and Istanbul. There are two Albanian airlines: Belle Air and Albanian Airlines. 12