The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a bill that will initiate reforms in the shipping industry of Ukraine

The document, which is part of the implementation of Ukraine’s obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU, should lead to a large-scale reform of the public administration system in the field of maritime and inland waterway transport.

This was reported by the Ministry of Restoration. 

The draft law is comprehensive in nature and includes a number of systemic changes:

• It is proposed to update the Merchant Shipping Code of Ukraine and regulate areas that have not yet been covered by legislation – organization of vessel traffic in areas of intense traffic, emergency and rescue readiness and coordination of search and rescue operations at sea.

• Ukrainian legislation is brought into line with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, more than 20 conventions of the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization, current EU directives and regulations.

• It is envisaged to implement the norms of 23 acts of European Union legislation, which makes the law an important step on the path of European integration. The document is included in the Ukraine Facility.

• The powers of the Ministry of Development, the Shipping Administration, the seaport manager and the seaport captain are clearly delimited, which “will eliminate conflicts of competence and consolidate personal responsibility for maritime safety.”

• The draft law provides for the implementation of a national single maritime window — a digital environment for data exchange.

• The draft law will abolish a number of redundant procedures and documents not provided for by international conventions or EU law.

It is noted that after approval by the Government, the draft law will be submitted for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.