On Thursday, December 19, 2024, the State Service for Maritime, Inland Waterway Transport and Shipping of Ukraine hosted an event - the second Steering Committee Meeting of the Twinning project entitled “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”. This project, which is being implemented in cooperation with the Italian maritime and river transport regulatory authorities, aims to adapt the Ukrainian shipping industry to European standards in terms of safety, legislation, and management.
The Twinning project's mission goes far beyond technical support. Its main goal is to help Ukraine fulfill its international obligations in the areas of port, flag and coastal state control. At the same time, the project focuses on improving the quality of maritime education and protecting human life at sea. The introduction of such standards not only increases the country's prestige in the international arena, but also opens up new opportunities for economic growth, making the transport industry modern and competitive.
The event was opened by Greco Giovanni, a permanent advisor to the Twinning project. In his speech, he expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian team for their hard work, which has already brought the first results. He especially noted the workshops, which have become an important tool in disseminating knowledge and preparing for the implementation of European standards in shipping.
Gacci Massimo, Project Manager at the Italian Academy of Shipping, focused on the importance of professional terminology. He emphasized that training for the Ukrainian team has already begun to improve their knowledge of the specialized language. This, in his opinion, will improve the quality of communication between the project partners and ensure more coordinated cooperation.
Oleksii Herashchenko, Director of the Department of State Supervision and Control, spoke on behalf of the Ukrainian side, describing the successful start of the first component of the project and informing that work on the next stages is already underway. He expressed his gratitude to the Italian partners for organizing the study tours, which allowed the Ukrainian team not only to see the European experience in action but also to find new ideas for improving their own system. He paid special attention to the close cooperation between the Ukrainian and European teams, which, according to him, became the basis for achieving high results.
Svitlana Didkivska, Project Manager at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, expressed her sincere gratitude to the Italian side for their commitment and support, especially in a difficult time for Ukraine. She noted that despite all the challenges, the EU team not only did not stop working, but also continues to actively contribute to the project implementation. The Project Manager expressed special gratitude to the Ukrainian team for their perseverance and dedication, emphasizing that the focus on results and a common goal have been the driving force behind achieving high standards and noticeable progress.
The Twinning project is becoming a symbol of change in the shipping industry, combining the efforts of Ukrainian and European experts. Its success is yet another proof of Ukraine's desire to integrate into the European community and create a modern, safe and efficient transportation industry.
Marta Mohilevska, Chief Consultant of Twinning Coordination Division of the Unit of Twinning Programme Administration Office, also took part in the event on behalf of the Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the EU Standards.
For reference: according to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ukraine “On Approval of the Procedure for Initiation, Preparation and Implementation of the Twinning Projects” as of 11 October 2016 No 700 the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service coordinates the implementation of the institution building instrument of the European Union Twinning in Ukraine. Furthermore, in accordance with relevant legal acts the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service is the coordinator of institution building instrument TAIEX implementation in Ukraine. In order to provide effective coordination of Twinning and TAIEX the Twinning Program Administration Office in Ukraine was established, its functions are performed by the Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the Standards of the European Union.
