UAE: Durres port and waterfront redevelopment (Emaar / Alabbar)
Status: Long-running; several sources say the marina had no developer after 20 months (2022); later status unverified.
Summary
Albania signed a EUR 2 billion public-private partnership with Mohamed Alabbar's Emaar/Eagle Hills to redevelop the Durres waterfront and move the commercial port (reported January 2023). The law provides free transfer of about 812,600 m2 of land to investors, per one report. Opposition MPs challenged the deal at the Constitutional Court in November 2022 as corruption. The European Commission monitored the deal (Exit.al, Dec 2022); the government said it did not endanger EU integration. Rama visited Abu Dhabi and signed intergovernmental and funding deals (dated in sources as around the 2019 earthquake anniversary). Reporting in 2026 covers a Tirana Times headline on a EUR 2bn Durres deal; the date could not be confirmed.
Key facts
- EUR 2 billion public-private partnership signed (reported January 2023).
- Free transfer of about 812,600 m2 land to investors (per report).
- 37 opposition MPs challenged the Durres port deal at the Constitutional Court (Nov 2022, per report).
- European Commission monitored the deal (Exit.al, Dec 2022).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- A government-UAE investor agreement exists (reported).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationLand and public-good transfer for private benefit.
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationOpposition: 'mega-corruption scandal' and that the deal violates the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (per summaries).
Open questions (2)
- Current contract status and any 2026 amendment.
- Whether any UAE money was linked to Rama's 2026 political backing (no evidence found).
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Government: agreement does not endanger any integration process (Exit.al, 2022).
Figures
Money trail →Durres waterfront and port PPP with Emaar/Eagle Hills
€2,000,000,000
concessionSource label: Under investigationStated definition: Reported figure; signing reported January 2023; contract terms not verified.
Date: Jan 2023 · Payer: Emaar/Eagle Hills (investor) · Payee: Albanian state / public-private vehicle
- PortEurope: UAE investing EUR 2 billion in the transformation of the Port of Durres (opens in a new tab)PortEurope · undated · journalism · EN
- Top Channel: United Arab Emirates investing 2 billion euros in the transformation of the Port of Durres (opens in a new tab)Top Channel · undated · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Government
Albania signs EUR 2bn Durres port and waterfront deal with Alabbar/Emaar (reported; day unknown)
Reported signing of a public-private partnership; the exact date and contract terms are not verified.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 6 sources.
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 6 sources
- Publisher
- PortEurope
- Date
- undated
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- undated
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- Dec 2022
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 21 Aug 2025
- Publisher
- PortEurope
- Date
- Aug 2022
- Publisher
- Gulf News
- Date
- undated