TAP Awards ‘First Major Contract’ for Construction Works in Albania

Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) has awarded a contract to an Albanian and an Italian company for the construction of Albanian access roads and bridges, calling it ‘the first major contract.’ Gener 2 Sh.p.K and Sicilsaldo S.p.A. should start activities in the second quarter of 2015. 

“Today’s announcement is an important step for TAP’s execution phase, as it will allow for pipe-laying to begin in 2016” Ian Bradshaw, Managing Director of TAP, commented in a note released on Tuesday. 

The company did not disclose the value of the contract, which concludes TAP’s pre-qualification process started in April 2014.

The two companies will have to build and rehabilitate over 100 kilometres of road, construct two new bridges and rehabilitate 50 existing bridges. 

“In addition to our community investment programme in Albania, the access roads and bridges will be left behind for the benefit of the local communities for decades to come” Bradshaw added, in the attempt to maintain a good reputation amongst the local population.  

In Italy, local groups and the President of the Apulia Region voiced their discomfort with the construction of the pipeline, expressing concerns over the environmental impact of the project. 

TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Statoil (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%). 

Lisa Givert, TAP's communication head, recently said that TAP is open to new shareholders. Over the weekend, SNAM CEO said that the group might be interested in taking a stake in the pipeline. According to Reuters, the company would consider such a move only after ‘long-term gas supply contracts had been worked out.’ 

Also on Tuesday, Serbia Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic started his two-day official visit to Azerbaijan by a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev. According to a note, Azerbaijani companies would be willing to invest in Serbia.