Albanian Government Signs €13.5 Million Contract to Transport Mediterranean Migrants

The Albanian government has signed a €13.5 million contract to rent a private ship for 90 days to transport migrants from the Mediterranean Sea to reception centers in Shëngjin and Gjadër. This move is part of a broader agreement with Italy aimed at managing migratory flows.

The contract, which runs from September 15 to December 15, 2024, stipulates that the ship will transport approximately 300 individuals per trip, including 200 migrants and 100 operators. The ship will make three to four round trips per month, with each operation lasting between five and six days.

The ship will pick up migrants from a location identified 15 to 20 nautical miles south-southwest of the island of Lampedusa. The sailing time from the pick-up point to the destination in Albania is estimated to be around 50 hours.

Why this matters: This contract highlights the ongoing efforts of European governments to manage the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean region, which has significant implications for international relations, border control, and human rights. The effectiveness of this agreement will have consequences for the lives of thousands of migrants and the stability of the region.

The contract includes several specific requirements for the ship. It must have at least 50 cabins, each with a maximum of two beds, and facilities for examining migrants, security, nursing, and potential quarantine. Additionally, the ship must be suitable for anchoring in the port of Shëngjin and have a draft of less than five meters.

The operator of the ship will be responsible for managing the service, including the supply of goods and food products, and the preparation of meals according to religious or health requirements. If the number of passengers exceeds an average of 300 per day, an additional cost of €40 per person per day will be incurred. In addition, if the sailing distance for the duration of the contract is less than 6,000 nautical miles, the rental cost will be reduced by 15%.

This contract is part of a larger agreement signed on November 6, 2023, between the Italian and Albanian governments. The agreement includes the construction of two reception centers in Shëngjin and Gjadër, which will have a maximum capacity of 3,000 people and will be used to evaluate asylum applications within 28 days. The centers are expected to handle the transit of 36,000 migrants per year.

The Italian government will cover the costs of construction and management of the centers, estimated at approximately €650 million over five years. The Albanian government has granted Rome the free use of two pieces of land for the centers, which will be considered Italian territory, and will be responsible for security management under the supervision of local police.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has framed the agreement as an opportunity to reciprocate the Italian welcome of Albanian migrants in the 1990s. He stated, "When geography becomes a curse, Albania is ready to offer its contribution, an opportunity to reciprocate the Italian welcome in the nineties."

The construction of the centers has sparked controversy among local residents, who feel that they were not consulted and are concerned about the impact on their communities. Despite these concerns, the Albanian government is moving forward with the project, seeing it as a necessary step in addressing the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.

The €13.5 million contract to rent a private ship for 90 days highlights the urgency and complexity of managing migratory flows in the Mediterranean region. The agreement between Albania and Italy continues to unfold, its effectiveness in addressing the migrant crisis will be closely monitored.

Key Takeaways

• Albania signs €13.5m contract to rent a private ship for 90 days to transport migrants.
• Ship will transport 300 individuals per trip, including 200 migrants and 100 operators.
• Migrants will be picked up 15-20 nautical miles south-southwest of Lampedusa.
• Albania and Italy signed a larger agreement to manage migratory flows, including building reception centers.
• The centers will have a maximum capacity of 3,000 people and handle 36,000 migrants per year.