Luca Dini Design & Architecture is to help develop a maritime strategy for Albania with the aim of positioning the country as a sustainable hub for the Mediterranean yachting sector.
The Florence-based studio announced the agreement with Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy at the Smart and Sustainable Marinas Rendezvous in Monaco.
“For the first time we have started designing a strategy for the development of marine areas from north to south to turn Albania into a stepping stone in the heart of the Mediterranean, just as our neighbours Croatia, Montenegro or Greece have done,” said Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku at the conference.
And she said the maritime industry has experienced significant development in recent years, with substantial and innovative steps throughout Europe.
For the first time we have started designing a strategy for the development of marine areas from north to south to turn Albania into a stepping stone in the heart of the Mediterranean.
Belinda Balluku
While new marinas are being built in Albania and there are plans to build new ports, Albania must be on the same page with other European countries and incorporate insights from its Eastern Mediterranean neighbours in its maritime strategy, the Minister stressed.
The Maritime Strategy, the Strategy for Intelligent and Sustainable Marine initiative seeks to establish a network of interconnected marinas along the Albanian coast that will cooperate rather than compete, sharing resources and infrastructure.
Investment in service facilities such as repair yards, refit stations and modern fuelling systems to accommodate larger vessels and meet international standards is also proposed as part of the 15-year project.
Appealing new stop
“[Albania’s] geographic proximity to established superyacht destinations in Greece and Montenegro makes it an appealing new stop for experienced yachtsmen,” said a spokesperson from Luca Dini Design & Architecture.
“We believe that the next 15 years shall offer a unique window of opportunity to position the country as a competitive destination. Without coordinated planning, marinas risk competing against each other and diluting value.”
Environmental and social sustainability principals are another central pillar of the concept.
Coming decades
The Minister explained that Luca Dini has been working with the Ministry for three months to draft the initiative which is gaining interest from foreign investors who are interested in Albania’s maritime industry.
“All this work will turn Albania into a Mediterranean step of an industry as part of tourism, which has already become one of the most important sectors of our economy, but which must have as much innovation as possible to create sustainability for the coming decades,” she concluded.
Luca Dini Design & Architecture carries out work in superyacht design, urban planning and large-scale masterplans.
