Free Port Zone

MBM Port – Porto Romano Free Zone

MBM Port – a trade Potential with Strategic Access, Fiscal Benefits, and Modern Infrastructure

Overview

The Porto Romano Free Port Zone, located in Durrës, Albania, is a designated customs-free area administered by MBM Port, the zone’s concessionaire since 2015. Established under Decree No. 493 of the Council of Ministers (dated 11.07.2019), it is a vital hub for companies engaged in international trade, offering significant fiscal and operational advantages.

Unlike traditional customs zones, the Free Port Zone is not physically separated from national territory, but it operates under a special legal regime where goods are not subject to import duties, VAT, excise taxes, or other commercial restrictions for as long as they remain within the zone. There is no time limit on storage, making it a flexible solution for long- and short-term logistics operations.

Strategic Location & Connectivity

Situated on the Dalmatian coast, Porto Romano benefits from excellent access to European and Balkan markets:

80 km from Italy (across the Adriatic)
300 km from Greece
3-hour drive to Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia
Connected to Corridor VIII, a vital trans-European route linking the Adriatic to the Black Sea

This position makes MBM Port a powerful logistics platform at the intersection of European and Asian trade corridors.

Port Facilities & Storage Infrastructure

MBM Port is home to Albania’s largest bulk fuel jetty, with facilities integrated into the Porto Romano Free Zone. The area includes a dedicated terminal and a modern storage infrastructure for petroleum and LPG products.

Key Infrastructure:

Total Free Zone Surface: 1,034,552 m²
Number of Storage Tanks: 53 (including 30 LPG cylinder tanks)
Total Petroleum Storage Capacity: 399,122.18 m³
LPG Storage Capacity: 8,400 m³
Annual Product Transfer Capacity: 1.2 million tons

The Free Zone includes an advanced transfer system between port and terminal, enabling safe and efficient product movement.

Business Opportunities

Equal rights for domestic and foreign investors
Long-term ground and facility leases
Exemption from customs duties, VAT, and excise taxes
Unlimited storage time for goods inside the zone
Simplified and fast-track administrative procedures
Excellent infrastructure, utilities, and transport links
No minimum capital requirement
8% dividend tax rate on distributed profits
Inexpensive energy and utilities

The Free Zone supports a wide range of value-added and logistics activities, including:
- Warehousing
- Assembly and light manufacturing
- Mixing, blending, and manipulation
- Commercial logistics and market adaptation
- Re-labeling and repackaging
- Duty-free shop supply
- Ship-to-ship or ship-to-terminal transfers
- Transshipment operations
- Processing and production of goods
Key Investor Benefits
Porto Romano Free Zone offers a business-friendly environment with incentives designed to attract global investors.

Recognition & Oversight

Porto Romano Free Zone is a voting member of the World Free Zones Organization, further reflecting its international standing, compliance with best practices, and commitment to trade facilitation.

Partners & Memberships