(L-R) Wolfgang Stöven, Sokol Olldashi and Eduard Ndreu.

Cargotec's Kalmar business area has been awarded a five-year equipment servicing and maintenance contract by the Durres Port Authority (DPA) in Albania.

Cargotec technicians will establish procedures to ensure high levels of occupational safety and work efficiency before the contract commences in August.

Wolfgang Stöven, vice president of Cargotec's Kalmar service, says the DPA is transforming from a service to a landlord-port through its outsourcing of port services to world-class private sector companies, leaving DPA to focus on being the port's owner, regulator and caretaker.

"Initially, Cargotec will be a service and staff provider, preparing and maintaining the cargo-handling equipment workshop and workshop machinery, including the management of the parts inventory. As the collaboration develops, Cargotec's role will increasingly progress as the Port Authority's consultative partner, working in DPA's favour while the port transforms from a primarily cargo handling entity to a well-equipped and specialised container and ro-ro operator," he explains.

Stöven adds that Cargotec was chosen as DPA's partner because of its strong Kalmar brand and its reputation for work quality and innovation, and its global service network that includes the Adriatic region.

DPA currently has 155 units of cargo handling equipment including electrical port cranes, mobile harbour cranes, silos, reach stackers, forklifts, tractors, wheel loaders, spreaders, grabs and trailers. Cargotec will be responsible for maintaining the equipment that includes a recently acquired Kalmar empty container handler.

Edward Ndreu, director of DPA, says the contract will secure a high level of maintenance services in the Port of Durres that complies with European best practice.

Stöven agrees that the new partnership will raise the port's activities towards best practice service levels on par with those maintained in leading ports worldwide.

Sokol Olldashi, the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Telecommunication for Albania, says Cargotec's contribution will significantly boost the port's competitive position in the region and ensure standards and norms similar to Albania's major trading partners.

Durres is the largest Albanian port, handling about 80% of the country's seaborne trade. The port is part of the Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII linking Albania to FYR Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Italy. It also serves as a major industrial zone alongside the main highway to Albania's capital, Tirana.