The draft Law on Inland Water Transport being elaborated by the Verkhovna Rada (VR – Parliament) for its second reading is urgent for starting river traffic reform in Ukraine. It was developed taking into consideration the EU standards envisaged by Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, so the EU appreciates it and expects for VR adopting it as soon as possible, as Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Vladyslav Kryklii mentioned in the course of his joint with Matti Maasikas, Head of EU Mission in Ukraine, online press conference.
“The river traffic was and is the cheapest and most environment friendly goods delivery mode out of all possible. The Law on Inland Water Transport passed, cargo transportations are expected to rise from the current 12M t to 30M t annually with the economic effect for the state as up to 13-16Bn UAH a year. The development of shipbuilding is going to create new jobs and attract domestic and foreign investments. Moreover, the bill’s adoption would considerably lessen the burden off the roads and decrease expenditures to their repair. This means billions of UAH. Now we jointly with the parliamentary committee work out this draft and prepare it to the second reading, and expect its soonest approval”, Minister said.
As per his words, along with striking strengths that the river traffic reform might gain for Ukraine, as well as resurrection of the Dnieper’s total transport capacities, these changes are also too important in the Europe integration trend. Hence, the bill includes implementation norms of the 5 basic European directives in the inland water transport sector and requirements considered by Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement.
“Ukrainian river network is potent of becoming the base for Ukraine’s updated transport system. However, there are reforms in need, and the new law adoption could serve as the first step toward it”, stressed Ambassador Maasikas during the press conference.
Let’s remind you that in January 2019 European Commission commenced the project Dnipro Transport Development by which EC renders help to Ukraine as concerns the elaboration of a new law on inland water transport and some secondary legislation. Besides, the project helps state bodies to upgrade their skills and augment their potential for performing functions regarded with the water transport.
The project team is funded by the EU and also helps Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine in designing Strategy of Inland Water Transport Development in Ukraine and Plan of the Dnipro River Inland Waterways Transport Development.
https://mtu.gov.ua/news/31884.html