Vorë–Hani i Hotit, 8.8 million euro contract signed for supervision of railway rehabilitation

2026-03-25 14:08:00, Aktualitet CNA

Vorë–Hani i Hotit, 8.8 million euro contract signed for supervision

A consortium of international, French and Spanish companies has signed a contract worth around 8.8 million euros to oversee the rehabilitation of the Vorë–Hani i Hotit railway line.

The SAFEGE–EPTISA consortium, composed of SUEZ Consulting and EPTISA Servicios de Ingeniería SL, will cover the supervisory consultancy services for the project.

The project is financed and supported by international institutions and implemented by the Albanian Railways (HSH), the state operator responsible for the railway network in the country. The consultant's role includes the full supervision of civil works, as well as the supply and installation of electromechanical systems, ensuring compliance with international standards, respect of deadlines and quality control during implementation.

The contract, signed in February 2026 and recently published on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) procurement system, foresees a term until August 2032, in line with the long-term and multi-phase nature of the project. The selection was made through an open tender with two envelopes and pre-qualification, which aims to balance the technical and financial evaluation.

The Vorë–Hani i Hotit line is part of the broader investments in the Albanian railway sector, with a total project value of around 356 million euros, co-financed by international institutions through grants and loans. The project includes the rehabilitation and construction of around 120 kilometers of line and aims to integrate Albania into the European railway network TEN-T and the Pan-European Corridor X.

The existing line, built in several phases from the 1960s to 1985, connects urban areas along the western lowlands and runs to the border with Montenegro at Han i Hotit. It covers several municipalities along the route and has operated with restrictions for years, until it was discontinued after damage from the 2019 earthquake./ Monitor Magazine