Tuesday 23 October 2018

On 19 October 2018, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) marked the start of construction works for the 105km offshore pipeline section. The physical offshore pipeline installation is planned to be carried out in 2019, as per TAP’s schedule.

The milestone was celebrated in a ceremony attended by Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania, Damian Gjiknuri, the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Armando Subashi, the Mayor of Fier, as well as TAP’s Management. Participants also included representatives of local authorities, diplomatic corps and other key stakeholders.

Prime Minister Rama and TAP Managing Director Schieppati drew the offshore section of the pipeline on a map, symbolising the soon to be completed section of the project for Albania.

Prime Minister Rama and Minister Gjiknuri both welcomed the project’s good progress, the benefits it brings to local communities and underlined the strong partnership between TAP and Albania. They also emphasised TAP’s strategic importance.

Saipem is TAP’s contractor in charge of the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the offshore section of the project. Approximately 10 vessels will be used for the offshore construction: two vessels will lay pipes and specialized vessels will be used for dredging, supplying pipes, light construction, anchor handling, towing and survey activities. A semi-submersible pipe laying vessel will install pipes in deep waters and a shallow water lay barge will be used closer to the shore.