Albania appears to be becoming a hub for the smuggling of smuggled oil originating from Russia and Libya, according to evidence uncovered by BIRN. Authorities have repeatedly detected shipments of low-quality fuel arriving at the country’s ports, mainly at the private port of Porto Romano near Durres, hidden behind false cargo declarations or in modified fishing vessels.

Last January, two ships, the “Besart” and the “Aya Zanoubya”, were found illegally transporting around 600,000 liters of oil, despite having declared it as cement. Investigations revealed that the smuggling network is linked to companies and individuals operating in Durres, while there are indications that a significant part of the oil is of Russian or Libyan origin.

The case also includes routes through Montenegro, where Albanian fishing boats were supplied with tax-free fuel. An Albanian businessman, allegedly involved in the fuel transport, was arrested in January, while other suspects remain at large.

The port of Porto Romano was also implicated in 2022, when the ship “Queen Majeda” was seized carrying 2.6 million liters of oil from Benghazi, Libya. Investigators suspect the cargo came from suppliers on the UN and US sanctions list, while the smuggling of Libyan oil appears to be funding armed groups operating in the divided country.

According to albanian authorities, more than 750,000 Liters of smuggled fuel have Been seized since 2022, while several fishing vessels have been found to have illegally modified Tanks. researchers warn that the Adriatic has become a major oil smuggling corridor that circumvents international sanctions and brings huge profits to networks of smugglers and corrupt officials.