Vlora Marina concession and Balfin's role
Status: Concession signed; construction status not confirmed in sources reviewed
Summary
The Vlora Marina is a 35-year concession, awarded after a 2021 tender to a consortium that includes Balfin Group (Samir Mane). Reports say Balfin entered the consortium around 2022 and was then granted rights to build a residential and business complex next to the port. Two outlets raised questions about whether Balfin received special treatment. The reports are journalism and have not been checked against the concession contract or the Public Procurement Agency file.
The two sources give very different investment figures (45 million euros for the port per SeeNews, 350 million for a 400-yacht marina with a residential area per PortsEurope). The concession ends by transferring the facility to the state.
Key facts
- 35-year concession (SeeNews, PortsEurope).
- Balfin holds 10 percent of the residential component (SeeNews).
- Operator: D-Marin (developer's statement, per search summary).
- A UK-Albanian JV won the tender in 2021 (search summary; not checked against the tender).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Balfin is one of the consortium investors (SeeNews).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationSpecial treatment in joining the consortium (IRL.mk, one outlet).
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationQuestions raised by IRL.mk (2022) about whether Balfin and Samir Mane received special treatment when they joined the consortium and were granted state land.
Open questions (3)
- Date and terms of Balfin's entry and of the state land transfer.
- The concession contract and the approving decision.
- Which investment figure is correct (45 million or 350 million euros).
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- No response from Balfin or the government is included in the sources reviewed.
Figures
Money trail →Vlora marina investment value (conflicting figures)
€350,000,000
contractSource label: Under investigationStated definition: PortsEurope: 350 million euros for a 400-yacht marina including a residential zone. SeeNews: about 45 million euros for the port alone. The two figures conflict; the 350 million figure is the SeeNews headline for the consortium project.
Date: unknown · Payer: Vlora Marina consortium · Payee: Project
- Albania's Balfin partners investing in 350 mln euro Vlora marina project (opens in a new tab)SeeNews · unknown · journalism · EN
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 2 sources.
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 2 sources
- Publisher
- SeeNews
- Date
- unknown
- A dark glimpse into Albania's touristic future: the players behind Vlora marina (opens in a new tab)
- Publisher
- IRL.mk
- Date
- 2022