A single administration is planned for Ukrainian ports on the Danube, — Ministry of Development

The ministry proposes to create a single port management structure and transform state stevedores into corporate enterprises.

This became known from the meeting of the Coordination Council for the Development of the Competitive Environment in Seaports, at which new approaches and mechanisms in the work of seaports were identified.

Thus, Deputy Minister Andriy Kashuba emphasized that for the sustainable development of the Danube Cluster, “it is necessary to create equal conditions for business and the development of ports in the region, ensure flexibility in transportation tariffs, and optimize the work of state-owned enterprises.”

According to Kashuba, the creation of a single administration will eliminate bureaucratic obstacles and optimize costs.

“The creation of a single administration of the Danube Cluster is a key step in increasing management efficiency and transparency. We expect that this decision will allow us to maintain the ability to transship up to 35 million tons of cargo per year in the event of a blockade of the seaports of Great Odesa, optimize administrative costs, improve logistics, and save over 2,000 jobs in the region,” the Deputy Minister noted.

The department also added that the implementation of the River Information Service and its integration into the European EuRIS system is a step towards full digitalization and safety of shipping according to EU standards.

In addition, during the meeting, further steps were agreed on the approval of the revised draft of the Procedure and Conditions for concluding agreements on compensation for business investments in strategic port infrastructure facilities, and also supported the initiative to repeal the Law “On the Reni SEZ”, which creates legal obstacles to the regulation of land relations in the port.

Earlier, USM reported that the Odesa port is considering the possibility of cooperation with the port of Linz on the Danube.