THE European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has confirmed that it will provide Albanian Railways (HSH) with a €30m loan for reconstruction of the 33.5km Durrës - Rrogozhinë line.
This complements a matching €30m loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and €60m of investment and technical assistance grants from the European Union (EU) through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, which were signed earlier this year.
The strategic project to rebuild and electrify the line between the port city of Durrës and Rrogozhinë in central Albania includes the reconstruction of station buildings. According to EBRD, it marks a critical step in Albania’s efforts to modernise its rail network, enhance regional connectivity and align with EU transport and environmental standards.
The Durrës - Rrogozhinë line is part of the EU’s Western Balkans - Eastern Mediterranean TEN-T corridor, linking southern Italy and Greece with Bulgaria’s Black Sea ports. It will establish Albania’s first rail connection with North Macedonia, significantly improving cross-border mobility and economic integration in the Western Balkans.
“This investment reflects our continued support for Albania’s rail transformation,” says Donald Mishaxhiu, EBRD’s regional head of infrastructure for the Western Balkans, Romania and Bulgaria.
“This project marks a transformative milestone in Albania’s infrastructure development,” says Petrit Malaj, Albania’s minister of finance. “It will not only strengthen our national and regional connectivity, but also play a vital role in Albania’s long-term development and integration into the wider European transport network.”
