'Interreg Almonit maritime transport project to develop links between Puglia and Albania closed'

The Region of Pulia yesterday, November 8, presented the final results of the Almonit MTC project in the city of Shkutar in Albania. The project was funded by the Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro 2014-2020 program with an amount of € 856,675.00 euros, implemented by the Regional Mobility Department through the Infrastructure for Mobility Section. The project also involved Albanian and Montenegrin partners, represented by Fondi Shqiptar i Zhvillimit as lead partner and the Ministry of Saobrac and Pomorstvo Crne Gore and Molise Region. The Puglia delegation, led by the Director of the Mobility Department Vito Antonio Antonacci and composed of officials Natalia Giampaolo, Claudia Minervini and Domenico Zonno, met with the project partners to develop solutions and tools''to promote sustainable cross-border cooperation links, both in terms of development and tourism promotion and cargo transportation.

Among the achieved results of the Almonit MTC project, the feasibility of a maritime transportation link between the ports of Puglia and those of Albania is of significant importance. This study has shown a significant potential demand for maritime transportation, which confirms the importance of activating new connections across the Adriatic in order to increase cargo traffic and promote Puglia territories and businesses. It is with the aim of improving and developing links between the territories, thanks to the cooperation with Aeroporti di Puglia and PugliaPromozione, that Almonit MTC enabled the activation of the bus service "Gargano Easy to''Reach', which for the first time in the summer of 2022 connected the Port, Bari Airport and the cities of Gargano. The pilot project allowed to detect the tourist flow from the project partner countries, providing 8 flights per day and offering tourists a convenient and comfortable connection, a model of sustainable transportation.

'This project - said Anita Maurodinoia, Regional Councillor for Transport and Sustainable Mobility - has allowed the creation of new tools to support smart growth and the development of sustainable maritime connectivity between coastal cities, which is useful to improve transportation services for citizens and tourists. An innovative thematic project focused on sustainable transportation to promote the Blue Economy, a fundamental element for Puglia in the field of transportation. Almonit MTC adds an important link to the regional maritime transport policy, drawing attention to measures to combat negative impacts on the environment, citizens' health and the state of maritime and''coastal ecosystem. "

"The teamwork between the Region of Puglia and the various competent institutional bodies in the field of transport and cross-border mobility of the Adriatic Region will continue during the Interreg 2021-2027 program period through the strategic project "Connectivity" - assured Vito Antonacci, Director of the Regional Mobility Department. This project will be funded by the Interreg IPA South Adriatic 2021-2027 program for a period of 54 months and a total budget of about 6 million euros for a series of activities aimed at improving common transport in the South Adriatic region area, including improving access to the Trans-European Transport Network and promoting sustainable, environmental and intelligent mobility.