The European Business Association supports the approach under which financing for measures to protect port infrastructure during martial law would be provided through port fees. At the same time, businesses emphasize that effective implementation of such decisions requires clear and transparent mechanisms of interaction between the state, the military, and the private sector.
The issue concerns draft Law “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On Seaports of Ukraine’ regarding strengthening the protection of port infrastructure under martial law” No. 15063 dated March 9, 2026. Experts of the Association are ready to contribute to refining this document within the work of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, and have previously already submitted their proposals.
For companies that ensure logistics, foreign trade, and continuity of supply chains, the physical protection of seaports is critically important. Therefore, members of the Association’s Logistics Committee consider it logical and justified that part of the resources generated by the operation of the port system should be used for its protection.
At the same time, the business community stresses that the instruments proposed in the draft law require a clear implementation mechanism. In particular, this includes a clear distribution of roles between the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and businesses operating within port areas or using port infrastructure.
Businesses propose taking into account an approach already tested within a government experimental project on involving enterprises in strengthening air defense. Its key advantage is a formalized coordination model between state bodies, military command, and companies.
During further refinement of the draft law, businesses also request the inclusion of:
- designation of the specific port fee from which protection measures will be financed;
- clear definition of roles and responsibilities of the USPA, military command, departmental paramilitary security, and business entities;
- a formalized procedure for joint decision-making on organizing port infrastructure protection;
- a transparent mechanism for using funds from port fees;
- a balance between security measures and uninterrupted port operations;
- mechanisms to prevent the forced imposition of departmental paramilitary security services on businesses.
The business community supports initiatives aimed at strengthening the protection of port infrastructure under martial law and is ready to participate in their development and implementation.
