Under intense scrutiny, a Turkish vessel carrying 102 containers of suspected hazardous waste finally docked at the port of Durrës after 11 days in Albanian waters. The ship’s cargo of 2,100 tons of metal by-product waste was promptly transported to Porto Romano, an area managed by the Agency for Seized Properties. The site is heavily secured, monitored 24/7 by State Police, and surrounded by surveillance cameras.

Why is this important: Environmental groups, both local and international, have raised concerns about the potential dangers of the waste. While suspicions about the hazardous nature of the cargo remain unconfirmed, the containers will not be opened or processed until thorough investigations conclude. Authorities aim to prevent any public health or environmental risks, keeping the waste far from populated areas.

Context: The controversy began when the Basel Action Network, a prominent environmental watchdog, flagged the containers, leading to a full investigation. The waste was initially bound for Thailand but was redirected to Albania under suspicious circumstances. A coalition of institutions, including local police, customs, and the Port Authority, has coordinated efforts to ensure secure handling and monitoring of the situation. Prosecutors are actively investigating the exporting company, “Sokolaj” sh.p.k., which claims to have bought the waste from Kurum International, a major metal producer.

What was said: Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro called for patience and urged against politicizing the issue. Addressing Parliament, she stressed that only after receiving results from international labs in Switzerland and Belgium will the true nature of the waste be revealed. Kumbaro emphasized that industrial waste should not be casually labeled as hazardous without evidence, explaining that the material in question could be legitimate by-products intended for recycling.

What’s next: Investigators will determine the content of the containers and establish protocols based on environmental laws. The case will likely intensify the ongoing debate over Albania’s environmental safety and the government’s transparency in handling international waste. Meanwhile, scrutiny will remain high as stakeholders await the lab results and any subsequent legal or environmental measures.