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EBA and Verkhovna Rada Committee Discuss the Need to Resolve Land Issues in Seaports

30/ 10/ 2026
  Legal uncertainty regarding the registration of rights to land plots within the waters of seaports creates risks for investors, complicates access to financing, and hinders the development of port infrastructure. The European Business Association advocates clear legislative regulation of this issue and the protection of investors’ previously acquired rights. The business community’s position was discussed at a roundtable organised by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, held in Odesa on 16 October. The Association was represented at the meeting by Kateryna Morozova, Head of the Southern Ukrainian Office, and Daria Sichkar, Logistics Committee Manager. Oleksandr Haidu, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, also attended the meeting. The key topic of discussion was the inconsistencies between certain provisions of the Land Code of Ukraine, the Water Code of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine “On Seaports of Ukraine”, and the Merchant Shipping Code of Ukraine. These inconsistencies highlight the need for clear legislative regulation of the procedure for granting land plots occupied by water bodies within the waters of Ukrainian seaports for use. Oleksandr Haidu noted that ambiguities in the legislation complicate its application, create grounds for legal disputes, and have an overall negative impact on companies’ legal standing. In particular, according to information provided by the Association’s member companies, legal uncertainty has already led to challenges to lawfully registered rights to land acquired between 2009 and 2014. The issue is particularly pressing given that seaports ensure the continuity of export shipments and remain an important component of Ukraine’s economic security. Oleksandr Tkachenko, Chair of the Subcommittee on Legal Regulation and Analysis of the Activities of Specialised Bodies in the Field of Corruption Prevention and Counteraction of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy, and Volodymyr Kabachenko, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy, also drew attention to the negative impact of ambiguous interpretations of legislation on the sector’s investment attractiveness. This may hinder the implementation of new infrastructure projects, job creation, and tax revenues. In turn, Kateryna Morozova emphasised that legal certainty is a fundamental condition both for retaining investors already operating in Ukraine and for attracting new investment in the reconstruction and development of Ukraine’s port infrastructure. Businesses must be confident that their long-term investments are protected, while the state must ensure stable and transparent land-use rules. The European Business Association continues to raise this issue with government authorities. In particular, on 16 September, the Association addressed the Prime Minister of Ukraine with proposals to improve the legislation. The business community emphasised the need to align the relevant regulations, introduce a clear mechanism for granting land plots for use, and protect investors’ rights acquired in accordance with the legislation in force at the time those rights were registered. The proposed amendments include a clear delineation of the powers of state authorities responsible for managing such land, the establishment of procedures for granting land plots for use in line with the development plans of the respective seaports, and guarantees that existing agreements and other property rights remain valid. Following the meeting, participants agreed to jointly develop proposals with the involvement of the relevant central executive authorities, business associations, and other stakeholders. Participants were also invited to support a resolution proposing amendments to several legislative acts. The event was also attended by: Ivan Shynkarenko, Chair of the Subcommittee on International Partnership and Cooperation in Implementing Anti-Corruption Policy in the Financial, Agricultural and Energy Sectors of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy; Stepan Cherniavskyi, Deputy Chair of the Committee; Oleksandr Starynets, Head of the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy; Vitalii Holovnia, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine; Anatolii Timenko, Deputy Minister for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine; Dmytro Makarenko, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre; Maksym Lapai, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority; representatives of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Odesa Regional Military Administration; Kostiantyn Merimerin, Deputy Head of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office; as well as representatives of legal firms and port industry companies.
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Legal uncertainty regarding the registration of rights to land plots within the waters of seaports creates risks for investors, complicates access to financing, and hinders the development of port infrastructure. The European Business Association advocates clear legislative regulation of this issue and the protection of investors’ previously acquired rights. The business community’s position was discussed at a roundtable organised by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, held in Odesa on 16 October.

The Association was represented at the meeting by Kateryna Morozova, Head of the Southern Ukrainian Office, and Daria Sichkar, Logistics Committee Manager. Oleksandr Haidu, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, also attended the meeting.

The key topic of discussion was the inconsistencies between certain provisions of the Land Code of Ukraine, the Water Code of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine “On Seaports of Ukraine”, and the Merchant Shipping Code of Ukraine. These inconsistencies highlight the need for clear legislative regulation of the procedure for granting land plots occupied by water bodies within the waters of Ukrainian seaports for use.

Oleksandr Haidu noted that ambiguities in the legislation complicate its application, create grounds for legal disputes, and have an overall negative impact on companies’ legal standing. In particular, according to information provided by the Association’s member companies, legal uncertainty has already led to challenges to lawfully registered rights to land acquired between 2009 and 2014. The issue is particularly pressing given that seaports ensure the continuity of export shipments and remain an important component of Ukraine’s economic security.

Oleksandr Tkachenko, Chair of the Subcommittee on Legal Regulation and Analysis of the Activities of Specialised Bodies in the Field of Corruption Prevention and Counteraction of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy, and Volodymyr Kabachenko, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy, also drew attention to the negative impact of ambiguous interpretations of legislation on the sector’s investment attractiveness. This may hinder the implementation of new infrastructure projects, job creation, and tax revenues.

In turn, Kateryna Morozova emphasised that legal certainty is a fundamental condition both for retaining investors already operating in Ukraine and for attracting new investment in the reconstruction and development of Ukraine’s port infrastructure. Businesses must be confident that their long-term investments are protected, while the state must ensure stable and transparent land-use rules.

The European Business Association continues to raise this issue with government authorities. In particular, on 16 September, the Association addressed the Prime Minister of Ukraine with proposals to improve the legislation. The business community emphasised the need to align the relevant regulations, introduce a clear mechanism for granting land plots for use, and protect investors’ rights acquired in accordance with the legislation in force at the time those rights were registered.

The proposed amendments include a clear delineation of the powers of state authorities responsible for managing such land, the establishment of procedures for granting land plots for use in line with the development plans of the respective seaports, and guarantees that existing agreements and other property rights remain valid.

Following the meeting, participants agreed to jointly develop proposals with the involvement of the relevant central executive authorities, business associations, and other stakeholders. Participants were also invited to support a resolution proposing amendments to several legislative acts.

The event was also attended by: Ivan Shynkarenko, Chair of the Subcommittee on International Partnership and Cooperation in Implementing Anti-Corruption Policy in the Financial, Agricultural and Energy Sectors of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy; Stepan Cherniavskyi, Deputy Chair of the Committee; Oleksandr Starynets, Head of the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy; Vitalii Holovnia, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine; Anatolii Timenko, Deputy Minister for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine; Dmytro Makarenko, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre; Maksym Lapai, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority; representatives of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Odesa Regional Military Administration; Kostiantyn Merimerin, Deputy Head of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office; as well as representatives of legal firms and port industry companies.

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