The European Business Association advocates for using part of the port fees to finance measures for the protection of maritime infrastructure during the state of war. The association emphasizes the need for implementing clear and transparent mechanisms for cooperation between government bodies, military structures, and business representatives.
This is reported by Finway
Support for Business and Legislative Initiatives
Draft law No. 15063 is under discussion, which proposes amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Maritime Ports of Ukraine” aimed at strengthening the protection of port infrastructure under wartime conditions. Experts from the European Business Association have already contributed to the development of the document and are ready to continue working on its improvement within the framework of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on Transport and Infrastructure.
Members of the association’s logistics committee emphasize that physical protection of seaports is critically important for ensuring logistics, foreign trade, and the stability of supply chains. In their opinion, part of the resources generated by the port system should be directed specifically towards its security.
“The European Business Association supports the approach whereby funding for measures to protect port infrastructure during wartime will be sourced from port fees. At the same time, business emphasizes that clear and transparent mechanisms for interaction between the state, military, and business are necessary for the effective implementation of such decisions,” the statement reads.
Requirements for Implementation Mechanisms and Business Proposals
The business community stresses the need for understandable mechanisms for implementing the tools proposed by the draft law. In particular, this concerns the distribution of functions among the Administration of Seaports of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and companies that operate or utilize port infrastructure.
Business proposes to take into account the experience of a government experimental project that has already involved enterprises in strengthening air defense. Furthermore, during the refinement of the draft law, the association insists on the following steps:
- defining a specific port fee, the funds from which will be directed towards the protection of ports;
- clear distribution of powers between the Administration of Seaports, military command, departmental militarized security, and economic entities;
- formalizing the procedure for joint decision-making regarding the organization of protection for port infrastructure;
- a transparent procedure for the use of funds obtained from port fees;
- ensuring a balance between implementing security measures and the uninterrupted operation of ports;
- mechanisms that prevent the forced imposition of services from departmental militarized security on businesses.
The association expressed its readiness to continue participating in the development and implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing the security of port infrastructure during wartime.