An Italian navy ship has arrived in Albania with 49 migrants intercepted in international waters for processing of their asylum applications at special Albanian centers.

Tuesday's boat was the first to arrive in Albania following a monthslong pause. The European Court of Justice is set to review the scheme in February.

Remaining 44 migrants being held at Albania’s Gjader facility, where their asylum applications to be processed - Anadolu Ajansı

Italy has once again transferred migrants to Albania, despite previous legal defeats, after an Italian Navy ship carrying 49 refugees docked in the port of the Albanian city of Shëngjin, the Italian news agency ANSA reported on Tuesday.

The Italian Navy patrol vessel Cassiopea, carrying 49 migrants rescued over the weekend in international waters south of Lampedusa, has landed at the Albanian port of Shengjin. The ship entered the port at 7:30 am,

The Italian government's latest attempt to establish functional migrant camps in Albania saw asylum seekers loaded onto the navy vessel Cassiopea off Lampedusa on Sunday. The Cassiopea was expected to reach the port of Shengjin on Monday evening or Tuesday morning, despite ongoing legal challenges, reported the Associated Press.

The attempt at processing at special centres in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November.

Italy says it is transferring 49 migrants picked up in the Mediterranean to new processing centers in Albania, in the third such attempt facing hurdles by courts

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s first attempt to have asylum seekers held for assessment overseas was immediately blocked by judges. Now another is underway.

Italy has resumed sending illegal migrants to its new Albania processing centre as Giorgia Meloni, the country’s prime minister, attempts to circumvent the European Court of Justice (ECJ).