Development of Danube Ports, Fleet Modernisation and Safety: Ministry for Communities and Territories Development Outlines Plans for 2026

The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine has outlined its key priorities for the development of maritime and inland waterway transport in 2026. Among the main focuses are the stable operation of Ukrainian ports, digitalisation of processes, safety of water corridors and the transformation of ports into modern multimodal hubs.

According to the Ministry, in 2026 Ukraine will continue implementing measures aimed at modernising maritime and river transport, strengthening the country’s logistics resilience and restoring port infrastructure. Particular emphasis will be placed on security, investment attraction and improving conditions for all market participants.

Planned measures for Danube ports include:

-       establishment of a single administration for the Danube port cluster and transformation of state stevedoring companies into modern corporate enterprises;

-       maximum automation of port processes and further development of the River Information Services (RIS);

-       improving logistics connectivity towards Danube seaports through multimodal transport solutions.

These steps are expected to ensure cargo handling volumes in Danube ports of at least 15 million tonnes per year.

The Ministry also plans to optimise administrative costs by UAH 22 million, preserve more than 2,000 jobs, and ensure the stable operation of Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company on routes towards EU ports. Supervisory boards are to be established at Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority and other key sectoral enterprises.

In addition, Ukraine will continue fulfilling its commitments under the Ukraine Facility, including legislative changes in maritime and inland navigation. Planned initiatives include compensation mechanisms for investments in strategic state-owned port infrastructure, implementation of the Maritime Single Window, and further development of the “UkrRIS–Danube” project. The Ministry also confirmed work on restoring the effective operation of UDSP, implementing PPP projects at Chornomorsk port, and resolving concession-related issues at Olvia and Kherson ports.

IDD Commentary

The Institute of Danube Research ministration and deep digitalisation may significantly reduce transaction costs and enhance the competitiveness of Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaisk ports amid strong competition from Romanian and Bulgarian ports.

IDR experts particularly welcome Ukraine’s continued integration into the European inland waterway space, including mutual recognition of crew qualifications and the modernisation of the technical fleet. At the same time, they stress that the success of these reforms will depend on transparent access to infrastructure, genuine corporate governance and sustained cooperation with international partners.

According to IDR, 2026 could become a turning point for the Ukrainian Danube — from an emergency logistics corridor to a full-fledged component of the European river and multimodal transport system.