Monday, January 24, 2022

DUTY FREE FUEL THIS SUMMER AVAILABLE ONLY IN MONTENEGRO AS ALBANIA SHUTS YACHTS TAX FREE BUNKERING FOR THIS SEASON

As per the latest regulation of Albanian authorities and customs, duty free fuel for yachts is not available in any of Albanian port, it is still cheaper than most of the surrounding countries as duty paid fuel, excluding Montenegro, where you can still get duty free fuel on departure for both commercial and private yachts.

It was announced by the end of the year that it might happen, but as it had a big impact on yachting in Albania and area, everyone thought it is unlikely to happen in such short notice. Starting from 1st of January bunkering in Albania will be possible only with duty paid fuel, two of the biggest refueling points in Albania, Porto Romano in Durres and bunker station in the port of Sarande, just across of the Corfu will be able to deliver diesel fuel for yachts as per government regulated price, currently around 0.90-0.95 Euro per liter, which will be changed depending on the world oil market. Of course, we will be watching the market and situation before the upcoming season and if any change occurs we will update you so that you can plan accordingly.

Tax-free diesel in Montenegro


At the moment situation in Montenegro remains the same as it was in the previous year, there are four main refueling points for duty-free diesel:

⛽ Porto Montenegro in Tivat – can fit all current sizes of yachts with all kinds of connections, starting from a pistol with 40 liters per minute for sailing vessels and smaller yachts, up to 1000 liter per minute on the superyacht dispenser with all possible camlock connections;
⛽ Portonovi, Kumbor – operated by Turkish Asmira company, opened in 2021 this is new duty-free facility in Boka bay which can refuel a bit smaller vessel up to 70-75m LoA with dispenser up to 450 liters in a minute and two smaller dispensers, for yachts up to 35m in the inner part of marina up to 60 liters for single, or 100 liters per minute with dual pistol connection;
⛽ Port of Bar in Bar area – there are two refueling points in the commercial part of the Port which can fit all sizes of yachts and vessels, including cruise and commercial ships (13 meters of draft is limitation) with a fuel rate around 600 liters per minute;
⛽ Fuel station in Marina Bar – operated by Petrol, Slovenian company, this fuel dock is limited with 40 meters of LoA and it is usually for a smaller yacht that are departing further south towards Albania and Greece or crossing towards Italy. There is pistol connection with rate around 90 liters per minute and camlock connection with up to 350 liters per minute.

In other ports and marinas, only duty-paid fuel is available. For duty-free diesel as per Montenegrin government regulation you will need agent who is representing you and sorting out papers with customs representatives.

Besides above mentioned, our agency can provide you with support for all other needs that crew or guests might need while in Montenegro and are so feel free to contact us on our email montenegro@yachtagent.net or mobile +38267132233,  available on all messenger apps as well, and we will be eager to assist you and make your refueling or stay in Montenegro as pleasant as possible.

Also if you are part of managing company for yachts or fuel trader company you can contact us as well and can make collaboration for all your clients coming to Montenegro or the area around so that you have centralized services which will make your and your clients life much easier.