Albania and Italy join forces to build ships in Pashaliman

Published: Tuesday, 08 April 2025 20:11

Albania and Italy have agreed to deepen their cooperation in the maritime industry with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between KAYO, Albania’s state-owned company, and Fincantieri, one of the world’s leading shipbuilding companies.

The memorandum aims to develop Albania’s maritime industry, including the construction of both military and civilian vessels, and to strengthen production capacities at the Pashaliman Naval Base.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, and Albanian Defence Minister Pirro Vengu.

The signing marks the beginning of a new era and represents an important step forward in strengthening industrial ties between the two countries.

This project presents an excellent opportunity to further develop and enhance Albania’s military and defence industry, creating new jobs, boosting domestic production capacity, and building local expertise in the construction of advanced vessels.

The cooperation between KAYO and Fincantieri is designed for dual use. It will not only strengthen the capabilities of the Albanian Naval Force, but also enable the construction of combat ships for third-party clients, as well as civilian vessels for both domestic and international markets. The initiative is expected to have a significant positive impact by improving the operational capacity of the Pashaliman shipyard and expanding market opportunities for Albania’s maritime industry.

Fincantieri, a global leader in shipbuilding, brings more than 230 years of experience and a portfolio of over 7,000 vessels built. This partnership will bring cutting-edge technology to Albania and contribute to the development of local capacities within the Defence Industry.