DURRËS – The Transport Community, in cooperation with the Albanian Maritime Administration, marked the International Day of the Seafarer 2026 on 25 June in Durrës, under this year’s global theme: “Carrying World Trade. Carrying the Risks.”
The event brought together representatives of maritime administrations, international organisations, the maritime industry, academia, social partners, seafarers and other stakeholders from the Western Balkans and the European Union. Organised in a hybrid format, the event recognised the essential role of seafarers in keeping trade, supply chains and economies moving, while also drawing attention to the risks, responsibilities and challenges linked to life and work at sea.
To bring the discussion closer to the everyday reality of maritime professionals, the event was held on board M/N AF Claudia, one of the largest Ro-Ro passenger ferries operating between Italy and Albania. This setting offered participants a first-hand look at the working environment of seafarers and created space for direct exchange with maritime professionals.
Opening remarks were delivered by representatives of the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, the European Commission, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania, the General Maritime Directorate, Adria Ferries and the Master of M/N AF Claudia. The event also featured keynote contributions from the Albanian Navy, the University of Durrës, the Maritime Law Association and the Women in Maritime Association.
Discussions focused on the importance of improving working conditions, strengthening maritime safety, supporting training and skills development, and making maritime professions more attractive for future generations. Participants also exchanged views on ongoing policy and regulatory developments, including alignment with European Union rules and international maritime standards.
Following the Day of the Seafarer event, the Transport Community held the 17th Technical Committee on Waterborne Transport and Multimodality at the General Maritime Directorate in Durrës.
The meeting gathered regional partners, observing participants, the European Commission and experts to review progress in the implementation of the Next Generation Action Plan for Waterborne Transport and Multimodality.
Participants discussed maritime transport and ports in the context of regional connectivity, multimodal transport and closer alignment with the EU transport system. A presentation on the NPF Baseline Assessment of Maritime Transport and Ports provided an overview of key findings and priorities for further action.
The meeting also reviewed the results of the EU-funded technical assistance supporting the Republic of Moldova in aligning with the relevant EU waterborne transport acquis, as well as the ongoing support to Ukraine in aligning with the EU maritime transport acquis. These activities are part of the Transport Community’s wider efforts to support reforms, strengthen institutional capacity and promote safer, greener and more efficient waterborne transport across the region and among observing participants.
