This covers electric port cranes, mobile harbour cranes, spreaders, reach stackers and workshop machinery. Cargotec will also act as a staff provider.

Durres is the largest port in Albania, handling 80% of the country’s seaborne trade. The deal is part of the Durres Port Authority’s (DPA) move to become a landlord and see the port change from a cargo-focused entity to a specialised container and ro-ro operator.

Wolfgang Stöven, vice president of Kalmar Service at Cargotec, said: ““The DPA transforms itself from a service to a landlord port by way of outsourcing port services to world-class private sector companies and by exploiting their potentials and core competences for its own and its customers’ benefit.

“The objective is to achieve the highest levels of port and terminal efficiency and economy. This would allow the DPA to primarily focus on its core competence, i.e. being the port’s owner, regulator and caretaker.

“Initially, Cargotec will be a service and staff provider preparing and maintaining the cargo handling equipment, workshop and workshop machinery, including the management of the parts inventory. As the collaboration develops, Cargotec’s role will increasingly progress as the port authority’s consultative partner working in DPA’s favour while the port transforms from a primarily cargo handling entity to a well-equipped and specialised container and ro-ro operator.”