On December 16, 2025, the fifth Steering Committee Meeting 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» took place online. The beneficiary of this important European integration project is the State Service for Maritime, Inland Waterway Transport and Shipping of Ukraine – the Shipping Administration.
This Twinning project is not limited to training sessions and consultations; it is about transformation. The project aims to strengthen the functions of the port State, flag State, and coastal State control. It also seeks to enhance maritime education and ensure the safety of life at sea. The implementation of EU standards will contribute to the development of a transparent, accountable, and modern transport system.
During the meeting, the parties noted the positive progress of the project’s implementation and the active cooperation between the Ukrainian and Italian teams. Particular attention was given to the completion of activities under Component 2 and to defining the next steps of cooperation.
Special focus was placed on requirements for fishing vessels, professional training of seafarers in line with the STCW Convention and EU standards, as well as the inspection of maritime education and training institutions.
In 2026, study visits to Italy (Genoa, Rome, Messina, Salerno) are planned to facilitate the exchange of experience in the areas of fisheries, maritime education, and inspection activities.
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.