On 16 December 2025, the 5th meeting of the Steering Committee on implementation of the Twinning Project “Institutional Support to the State Service for Maritime, Inland Waterway Transport and Shipping of Ukraine in the Implementation of the EU Acquis, Norms and Standards on Maritime Safety” was held.
This meeting was attended by representatives of the Italian Coast Guard, Shipping Administration, Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, State Enterprise “Maritime Search and Rescue Service”, State Enterprise “Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority”, and the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine.
Mykola Kravchuk, Head of the State Service for Maritime, Inland Waterway Transport and Shipping of Ukraine, Twinning Project leader from the Ukrainian side, opened the meeting.
A welcome address was delivered by Andrii Bratus, Deputy Minister for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, who praised the Project partners for their fruitful cooperation and significant achievements in implementing the joint initiative.
The Head of the Shipping Administration underlined the importance of the Project for Ukraine’s way towards European integration, particularly in the vital area of maritime transport, providing that the sea is a driver of economic prosperity, and a shared space that demands global interaction.
“The Twinning instrument is not just a mechanism for cooperation. It is a partnership based on exchange of best practices and institutional experience”, – Mykola Kravchuk said.
The main purpose of the Project is to improve the conditions for operation of the Ukrainian maritime sector, which will reach a high level of safety, security, and environmental protection, in full compliance with the established rules and standards of the European Union.
Proceeding with the agenda, Mykola Kravchuk noted that during the reporting period, owing to dedicated work of Italian partners, the Shipping Administration, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, and the state institutions and enterprises involved, the Project activities focused on several critical areas:
– Legal Harmonisation: aligning Ukraine’s national legislation with the EU acquis on maritime safety and security, vessel traffic monitoring and information systems, certification of crew members of seagoing ships;
– Capacity Building: strengthening administrative and operational capabilities of the State Service for Maritime, Inland Waterway Transport and Shipping of Ukraine through face-to-face meetings, online trainings, and study visits, as well as establishing mechanisms for effective communication and decision-making.
The Project leader from the Italian Coast Guard, Captain Massimo Mosconi, and the Resident Twinning Advisor, Rear Admiral Giovanni Greco, presented the results of the Project implementation, highlighted further planned activities, and expressed gratitude to their Ukrainian colleagues for effective cooperation in difficult conditions caused by the russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Members of the Steering Committee approved the Fifth Quarterly Report of the Twinning Project under Components 1 and 2 for the reporting period (09 September – 08 December 2025), as well as the detailed updated Work Plan of the Project activities for the period 09 December 2025 – 08 March 2026.
We are grateful to our Italian colleagues for their support and assistance in promoting the development of the Ukrainian maritime sector.
