Freight to and from Albania
Direct service for full loads with transit time of about 7 days. Part loads via our hub in Slovenia with transit time 8 – 10 days.
New in 2010
During Spring 2010, we arranged full load shipments of reconditioned goods to Tirana from Dewsbury, near Bradford. At short notice, John Shirley also arranged an import back to the UK set for another world destination. For other clients, the company arranged one-off part load and sometimes full load shipments to Tirana and Durres.
Past experience
Albania is a far flung spot for which most shippers ask us to deliver to Tirana, the capital, since not all roads are suitable for international transport. At one time, customs clearance was arduous and lengthy - we once had a driver there for two weeks. He survived by fishing and through the generosity of the ferry crew. Things are much improved now and it is also possible to transit to Kosovo and Macedonia without trouble.
Cross Trades
Since the beginning of 2010, the company forged a new relationship with a French client who has regularly been both exporting to and importing from Albania. Most movements have involved full load shipments of stone from the middle of Albania to the south west of France. We have also arranged shipments between Albania and Croatia for the same client.
Albania, Imports and Exports
Albania has profited from the EU autonomous trade measures since 2000. Albania's trade with the EU expanded with the additional preferences granted following the entry into force of the Interim Agreement in December 2006. The EU is Albania's main trade partner and in 2007 trade with the EU reached 74.5% of total Albania's trade. Albania exports and imports totalled to €0.6 billion and €1.8 billion respectively, corresponding to 8.5% and 25.7% of GDP. Both imports and exports increased, but the gap between imports and exports widened resulting in a higher trade deficit, despite a higher growth rate for exports. Inward processing, particularly textiles and garments, and footwear represents the main volume of Albanian exports to the EU. In 2006 foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks amounted to approximately €1.07 billion with the EU-27 accounting for about 79% of all inflows.
Albania, General Information
Albania is a Republic with an area of 28,748 km² and population 3.6 million. Its currency is the Lek and its capital is Tirana.
The official Albanian tourism website gives a general overview of Albania and links to information on its diverse cultural and natural heritage, promotional materials (brochures, tourist maps) a currency converter and weather forecast.