EBA has released the White Papers in the port and rail sectors

24/ 09/ 2019

Strategic documents that include a set of decisions and necessary changes in the port and railway sectors were prepared by the Logistics Committee and published on the website of the European Business Association. You can get familiarize with the documents via the links: 🚆 White Paper - Railway 🚢 White Paper - Port Industry Since the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union in 2014, a little has been done in the infrastructure to harmonize the legislation of Ukraine to the relevant EU standards with a view to liberalization, mutual access to markets and the movement of goods, which negatively affects the development of the industry. Consequently, the business expectations for the work of the new convocation of the Verkhovna Rada are very high, primarily in terms of adopting key laws for the development of domestic transport and infrastructure: On Inland Water Transport, On Rail Transport, On Concession, and some others. Special attention is required to the adoption of the Law and the creation of the state regulator in the field of transport - the National Commission, which carries out state regulation in the field of transport, the existence of which is provided by law, but the creation of which was not ensured yet. The railway industry needs structural reform, implementation of standards in accordance with the Association Agreement, a new tariff policy, solving problematic issues of operations, as well as state support. First of all, the business community has long been waiting for the adoption of a comprehensive, up-to-date law on rail transport, which in particular should provide non-discriminatory access for private locomotives and wagons to public infrastructure, as well as the exclusion of actual cross-subsidization of passenger transportation by freight. For the port industry, there is still an urgent need for a clear delineation of the functions of the SE “AMPU”, the State Service for Sea and River Transport, and the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine. In addition, the Government will continue to further bring port dues fees at an economically sound level comparable to other countries. According to World Bank, port charges in Ukraine should decrease by another 54% in order to bring them to a competitive level with other ports, and this will be enough to maintain the port infrastructure in good condition. Business also insists on the targeted use of port charges, because it is clearly defined by the Law of Ukraine “On Seaports”. However, today this is not always the case, such as sending part of the canal to the inland waterways or transferring 10% of the ships dues to finance the Search and Rescue Service of Ukraine. In the environmental sphere, several positive changes were achieved, such as the exclusion of ballast water control and the approval of the Interaction Procedure of SE “AMPU” and the State Ecological Inspection in seaports. However, these steps are not enough to determine clear rules for both business and regulatory authorities. Many tasks remain in this area, including the need for a radical change and reform of the State Ecological Inspection. These and other issues are listed in the White Book, with a description of the problem, an indication of its relevance, solutions and the responsible authority. We hope that the publication of these documents will lead to further effective cooperation with the Government and Parliament on the adoption of important changes.

🚆 White Paper – Railway

🚢 White Paper – Port Industry

Since the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union in 2014, a little has been done in the infrastructure to harmonize the legislation of Ukraine to the relevant EU standards with a view to liberalization, mutual access to markets and the movement of goods, which negatively affects the development of the industry.

Consequently, the business expectations for the work of the new convocation of the Verkhovna Rada are very high, primarily in terms of adopting key laws for the development of domestic transport and infrastructure: On Inland Water Transport, On Rail Transport, On Concession, and some others. Special attention is required to the adoption of the Law and the creation of the state regulator in the field of transport – the National Commission, which carries out state regulation in the field of transport, the existence of which is provided by law, but the creation of which was not ensured yet.

The railway industry needs structural reform, implementation of standards in accordance with the Association Agreement, a new tariff policy, solving problematic issues of operations, as well as state support.

First of all, the business community has long been waiting for the adoption of a comprehensive, up-to-date law on rail transport, which in particular should provide non-discriminatory access for private locomotives and wagons to public infrastructure, as well as the exclusion of actual cross-subsidization of passenger transportation by freight.

For the port industry, there is still an urgent need for a clear delineation of the functions of the SE “AMPU”, the State Service for Sea and River Transport, and the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine.

In addition, the Government will continue to further bring port dues fees at an economically sound level comparable to other countries. According to World Bank, port charges in Ukraine should decrease by another 54% in order to bring them to a competitive level with other ports, and this will be enough to maintain the port infrastructure in good condition.

Business also insists on the targeted use of port charges, because it is clearly defined by the Law of Ukraine “On Seaports”. However, today this is not always the case, such as sending part of the canal to the inland waterways or transferring 10% of the ship’s dues to finance the Search and Rescue Service of Ukraine.

In the environmental sphere, several positive changes were achieved, such as the exclusion of ballast water control and the approval of the Interaction Procedure of SE “AMPU” and the State Ecological Inspection in seaports. However, these steps are not enough to determine clear rules for both business and regulatory authorities. Many tasks remain in this area, including the need for a radical change and reform of the State Ecological Inspection.

These and other issues are listed in the White Book, with a description of the problem, an indication of its relevance, solutions and the responsible authority. We hope that the publication of these documents will lead to further effective cooperation with the Government and Parliament on the adoption of important changes.