On September 09, 2026, the two-year Twinning project “nstitutional 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 successfully completed.
Launched in September 2024, the project represented an important area of practical cooperation between Ukraine and Italy in the field of maritime and inland waterway transport. Its implementation focused on strengthening the institutional capacity of the Shipping Administration and bringing Ukraine’s maritime transport system closer to European standards.
Over the course of two years, Ukrainian experts worked together with their Italian counterparts on issues related to port State control, flag State and coastal State control, maritime safety, maritime education and the training of seafarers.
An important component of the project was a series of training and working visits by Ukrainian experts to Italy, which provided an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the work of Italian maritime institutions and maritime training and simulation facilities, discuss practical approaches to state supervision, and exchange experience with sector professionals.
In particular, in July 2026, a Ukrainian delegation visited Genoa, where, together with the Italian Coast Guard and the Italian Shipping Academy, it explored issues related to the inspection and recognition of maritime training and simulation centres, quality management systems, and the application of international standards in seafarer training. Particular attention was paid to modern simulation equipment and practices for its certification.
These activities enabled Ukrainian experts not only to familiarise themselves with European practices, but also to identify approaches that can be taken into account in further improving Ukraine’s system of seafarer training and certification, as well as state supervision in this area.
The completion of the Twinning project marks another practical step in Ukraine’s path towards European integration. The experience gained and the results of cooperation with Italian partners provide a solid foundation for the further implementation of EU standards, strengthening maritime safety, and developing a modern and competitive maritime sector in Ukraine.