Shipping safety, protection of seafarers: the Ministry of Development outlined legislative initiatives for this year
22.01.2026 - 16:50
The Ministry of Development of Ukraine has named key legislative initiatives for 2026 regarding maritime and inland waterway transport.
This was reported by the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.
Legislative initiatives are aimed at implementing international conventions, updating industry legislation, improving shipping safety, protecting seafarers’ rights, and harmonizing national norms with European and international standards.
“A special emphasis is placed on draft laws within the framework of the Ukraine Facility Plan. This is not just an obligation to partners, but a real opportunity to update the state shipping safety system, harmonize rules with European standards, and make the industry more competitive,” said Deputy Minister Andriy Kashuba.
Key legislative initiatives for 2026:
• ratification of the ILO Convention on Labour in Maritime Shipping — decent working conditions and social protection for seafarers;
• updating the legislation on maritime and inland navigation — improving navigation safety, eliminating gaps and collisions, as well as simplifying the conditions for conducting economic activities;
• accession to the Convention on the Control of Ships’ Ballast Waters — requirements for ballast water management, features of ship inspections in seaports, providing seaports with reception facilities for receiving ballast water and sediments;
• development of a national search and rescue system at sea;
• strengthening the responsibility of ship captains for failure to provide assistance in times of distress.
The Ministry of Development emphasized that these initiatives will contribute to the further integration of Ukraine into the European and international transport space, increasing the competitiveness of the Ukrainian fleet, and strengthening Ukraine’s position as a responsible maritime state.
