Today, December 3, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the second reading the bill 1182-1-d "On Inland Water Transport". This law gives a start to the reform of river transportation in Ukraine, turning the Dnipro River into a major transport artery. The corresponding decision was supported by 276 deputies.

"The Law "On Inland Water Transport" has been approved! This means that river transport reform will be. Thanks to the implementation of this law, we will be able to revive the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way of delivering goods - river transportation and to create efficient river logistics. This, in turn, will increase freight traffic to 30 million tons per year and the economic effect for the state to UAH 13-16 billion annually. We took into account business proposals and jointly finalized this bill in the process of preparation for the second reading. I am grateful to all those who were not indifferent and joined this process, as well as to the MPs for the decision made," commented the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Vladyslav Kryklii on the approval of the bill.

Resuming of effective inland waterways is also one of the priority tasks set by the President and part of Ukraine’s commitments in the framework of European integration processes aimed at EU accession. The draft law on inland water transport includes the implementation norms of 5 main European directives and is designed to bring Ukrainian legislation in line with European legislation.

"In addition, the law is expected to improve competition in the market, increase investment through equal conditions and transparent rules, and create new jobs for people. The transfer of part of the cargo from highways to the river will help to significantly unload the road traffic and reduce the cost of their repair. For example, 1 million tons of cargo transported by river and redirected from land transport reduces the cost of road repairs by UAH 1 billion over 4 years," said Vladyslav Kryklii.

According to the Minister, the new law will allow to use the capacity of the Dnipro not by 10%, as it is now, but in full, as it was in the days of Kyivan Rus, when there was a famous way "from the Vikings to the Greeks." It also initiates the creation of the State Fund for the Development of Inland Waterways, necessary to ensure the proper technical condition of navigable locks on the Dnipro and the possibility of increasing the capacity of the river. This, in turn, will ensure the development of passenger traffic, including international.

In addition, the adoption of the law will facilitate:

- stimulation of shipbuilding and restoration of Ukrainian enterprises;

- liberalization of the market, allowing ships under a foreign flag, which will stimulate international trade;

- deregulation of the industry through the introduction of free passage of locks and partial exemption of inland waterway vessels from fees in seaports;

- simplification of administrative procedures for vessel registration and issuance of qualification documents, etc.

It should be noted, on April 24 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved in the first reading bill No. 1182-1-d "On Inland Water Transport". The corresponding decision was supported by 243 lawmakers.