TIRANA, Aug 16/ATA/ The Port of Vlora has continued to see strong passenger traffic during the summer season, driven both by the ferry service linking the city with Italy and by cruise ships bringing visitors to the coastal destination.

Lorenc Rexhepaj, captain of the Port of Vlora, told ATA that more than 45,000 passengers travelled on the Vlora–Brindisi–Vlora route from Jan. 1 to Aug. 12, 2026.

“A total of 305 passenger-ship movements were recorded during this period, including 153 arrivals and 152 departures at the Port of Vlora. Arrivals accounted for 25,780 passengers, while 19,853 passengers departed. Overall passenger traffic on the Vlora–Brindisi–Vlora route reached 45,633,” Rexhepi said.

A significant share of this traffic has been concentrated on the Vlora–Brindisi ferry route, particularly during the peak summer tourism months.

“From June 1 to Aug. 12, the Port of Vlora recorded 76 arrivals carrying 15,888 passengers and 75 departures carrying 8,332 passengers. In this two-and-a-half-month period alone, passenger traffic in both directions reached 24,220, accounting for more than half of the traffic recorded since the beginning of the year,” Rexhepi said.

Rexhepi said the recent upgrades and modernization of the Port of Vlora had streamlined passenger and vehicle processing and reduced waiting times for travellers using the Vlora–Brindisi–Vlora route.

The surge in passenger traffic during the summer season highlights the port’s importance as a key maritime connection between Albania and Italy, as well as a major gateway for tourist travel.

/sm/