TRANSPORT COMMUNITY CELEBRATES SEAFARERS’ DAY AND DEVELOPS REGIONAL COOPERATION IN WATER TRANSPORT IN DURRES

The Transport Community, in collaboration with the Albanian Maritime Administration, celebrated International Seafarers’ Day 2026 on 25 June in Durres, under this year’s global theme: “We Trade the World. We Take the Risks”.
The event brought together representatives of maritime administrations, international organizations, 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 important role of seafarers in supporting trade, supply chains and the economy, and highlighted the risks, responsibilities and challenges associated with living and working at sea.
In order to bring the discussion closer to the daily reality of maritime professionals, the event was held on board the M/N AF Claudia, one of the largest ro-ro passenger ferries operating between Italy and Albania. This location allowed participants to experience the working environment of seafarers first-hand and created a space for direct exchange of experiences with maritime professionals.
Opening speeches were delivered by representatives of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, the European Commission, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania, the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, Adria Ferries and the captain of the AF Claudia. Keynote speeches were also given by representatives of the Albanian Navy, the University of Durres, the Maritime Law Association and the Association of Women in Maritime Navigation.
The discussions focused on the importance of improving working conditions, strengthening safety at sea, 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 Seafarer’s Day event, the Transport Community hosted the 17th Technical Committee on Waterborne Transport and Multimodality at the General Maritime Directorate in Durres.
The meeting brought together regional partners, observer participants, the European Commission and experts to review progress in implementing 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 harmonisation with the EU transport system. A presentation on the baseline assessment of the NPF on maritime transport and ports provided an overview of the 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 compliance with the relevant EU legislation on waterborne transport, as well as the ongoing support to Ukraine in compliance with the EU legislation on maritime transport. These activities are part of the Transport Community's broader efforts to support reforms, strengthen institutional capacity and promote safer, greener and more efficient waterborne transport across the region and among observer participants.