Durres - Customs

Description:

This is the largest port in Albania and lies on the northern edge of a large, shallow bay. The capital, Tirana, is about 32 kms (20 miles) east of the port.

A full-facility marina is planned for this port (completion date unknown).

Entrance Notes and Cautions:

The bay of Durres is large and very shallow for a long way out.  There is a tidal influence here and you may find yourselves anchored a long way out from the beach.

If making a night entry, note that the fairway buoy may be unlit and the channel markers are just posts with very low-intensity lights, very difficult to see against the town and harbour lights. Many of the buoys, which need to be observed, are not showing the light features indicated on the digital charts.

It has been suggested that an easier approach is from due south of the entrance, just west of the commercial boat anchorage. The entrance is easy to identify from a distance as a gap in the very bright harbour lights.

Durres Harbor Master can be reached on VHF Ch. 15.

Several wrecks are located near the entrance channel to the Port so take care on the approach. Follow the marked channel as far as the port entrance and go into the main commercial port.

Position:  

41°18′27″N, 19°27′12″E.