Bohdan Fasii*
Transformation of Ukraine’s Maritime Legislation: Impact Factors, Regulatory Methods, and Future Outlooks
Suggested citation:
Fasii, B. (2025). Transformation of Ukraine’s Maritime Legislation: Impact Factors, Regulatory Methods, and Future Outlooks. Lex Portus, 11(6), 21–32. https://doi.org/10.62821/lp11603
Published online: 26.12.2025
*PhD in Law, Associate Professor, National University Odesa Law Academy (23, Fontanska doroha St., Odesa, Ukraine)
ABSTRACT
The article examines recent changes in Ukraine’s maritime and seaport regulatory environment amidst significant political, economic, and security pressures. The research explores the drivers of legislative change, including military aggression, European integration commitments, civil law reforms, and the expansion of digital governance tools. Attention is given to how regulatory methods and techniques are adjusted through strategic policy instruments, the interaction between public and private law mechanisms, the implications of abolishing the Commercial Code of Ukraine, the increasing influence of international standards and soft-law instruments, and wartime regulatory innovations. The analysis indicates that Ukraine’s maritime legislation is shifting toward a hybrid regulatory model that combines binding public regulation with flexible private-law arrangements and programmatic state intervention. This approach strengthens institutional resilience, maintains maritime trade continuity, and allows for legal adaptation in conditions of prolonged instability. The article concludes that Ukraine’s experience adds to a broader understanding of adaptive maritime regulation in states facing systemic disruption.
Keywords: maritime legislation, seaport governance, legal regulatory methods, public and private law interaction, wartime regulation, civil law recodification, international maritime standards, digitalization
REFERENCES
BDO Ukraine. (2025, July 29). Abolishing the Commercial Code: Aligning with EU Law. https://www.bdo.ua/en-gb/insights-1/information-materials/2025/abolishing-the-commercial-code-aligning-with-eu-law
Berestenko, V. (2025, October 20). Reference: electronic document flow at sea checkpoints of Ukraine. Facebook. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KRQwBYljk5L1nyqJdlDCc6EzBejGGT-F/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawOA8YFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJcHdFT0o3N3dhTWZqb1Uxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrvncph_5S1gjF-wLf-fKE34keHqiq93jgrGU3MUm1XWRPan_QWeQuiKoRBn_aem_981HNWdwun-l688x-yVQmQ
Black Sea Grain Initiative – Procedures for Merchant Vessels, 2022. https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/jcc_shipping_procedures_26_aug_2022.pdf
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (1996, May 16). Resolution on approval of the Rules for navigation and stay in the territorial sea, internal waters, on raids and in ports of Ukraine of foreign warships. (No. 529). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/en/529-96-п#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (1998, July 10). Resolution on approval of the Concept of Protection and Restoration of the Natural Environment of the Azov and Black Seas. (No. 1057). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1057-98-п#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2009, October 7). Resolution on approval of the Maritime Doctrine of Ukraine for the Period until 2035. (No. 1307). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1307-2009-п#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2013, July 11). Order on approval of the Strategy for the development of seaports of Ukraine for the Period until 2038. (No. 548-r). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/548-2013-р?lang=en#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2019, July 17). Resolution on approval of the Procedure for interaction between the State Enterprise “Sea Ports Administration of Ukraine” and the State Ecological Inspectorate to ensure compliance with environmental protection legislation in the event of detection of cases of discharge of pollutants by vessels (floating vessels) within the seaport water area. (No. 670). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/670-2019-п?lang=en#n9
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2022a, February 9). Resolution on Amendments to Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 451 of May 21, 2012 and Recognition of Certain Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as Invalid. (No. 94). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/94-2022-п?lang=en#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2022b, February 25). Order on establishing the level of security in sea and river ports of Ukraine, port facilities, and vessels entitled to sail under the State Flag of Ukraine. (No. 183-r). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/en/183-2022-р#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2022c, March 1). Order on urgent measures for the safety of merchant shipping. (No. 191-r). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/en/191-2022-р#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2022d, November 11). Resolution on Amendments to Certain Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Regarding the Boundaries of Seaport Water Areas. (No. 1273). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/main/1273-2022-п?lang=en#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2022e, December 30). Resolution on some issues of assigning ranks to personnel in command of sea vessels. (No. 1499). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1499-2022-п?lang=en#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2023a, May 2). Order on approval of the Strategy for the Development of the Fisheries Industry of Ukraine for the period until 2030 and approval of the operational plan of measures for its implementation in 2023-2025. (No. 402-r). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/402-2023-р#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2023b, May 26). Resolution approval of Procedure for providing guarantees for compensation for damage caused as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and military operations on the territory of Ukraine to charterers, operators and/or owners of seagoing vessels and inland navigation vessels flying the flag of Ukraine and the flags of foreign states. (No. 548). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/548-2023-п?lang=en#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2024a, March 29). Resolution approval of Procedure for providing guarantees for compensation for damage caused as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and military operations on the territory of Ukraine to charterers, operators and/or owners of seagoing vessels and inland navigation vessels flying the flag of Ukraine and the flags of foreign states. (No. 361). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/361-2024-п?lang=en#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2024b, December 27). Resolution on the approval of the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine for the period until 2030 and the approval of the operational plan of measures for its implementation in 2025-2027. (No. 1550). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1550-2024-п#Text
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2025, June 25). Order on approval of the Strategy for reforming the system of state supervision (control) in the field of environmental protection, rational use, reproduction and protection of natural resources for the period until 2029 and approval of the operational plan of measures for its implementation in 2025-2027. (No. 625-r). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/625-2025-р?lang=en#Text
Chuah, J. (2025). MARPOL and Contracts of Carriage: An Evaluation of the Duties of Carrier and Cargo Interest in Voyage Charterparties. In H. Ringbom, & A. Chircop (Eds.), The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (pp. 216–231). Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803921389.00024
Civil Code of Ukraine, 2003. RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/en/435-15#Text
Commercial Code of Ukraine, 2003. RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/436-15?lang=en#Text
Commercial Court of Odessa Region. Decision in the case No. 916/2185/20. Unified State Register of Court Decisions. https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/91906756
Commercial Court of Odessa Region. Decision in the case No. 916/1171/23. Unified State Register of Court Decisions. https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/113526224
Commercial Court of Odessa Region. Decision in the case No. 916/1369/23. Unified State Register of Court Decisions. https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/113793705
Commercial Court of Odessa Region. Decision in the case No. 916/4757/24. Unified State Register of Court Decisions. https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/125672951
Diya. (n.d.). Certification of ship crew members. https://diia.gov.ua/services/otrimannya-kvalifikacijnih-dokumentiv-komandnogo-skladu-sudna
Diya. (2024, September 5). Without papers and bribes: private sailors can now also obtain qualification documents on the Diya portal. https://diia.gov.ua/news/bez-papirciv-ta-habariv-moryaki-ryadovogo-skladu-vidteper-takozh-mozhut-otrimati-kvalifikacijni-dokumenti-na-portali-diya
Draft Strategy for the Development of Ukraine’s Shipbuilding Industry until 2030 and beyond, 2021. https://komprompol.rada.gov.ua/uploads/documents/30813.pdf
Duran, C., et al. (2024). DMLBC: Dependable machine learning for seaports using blockchain technology, Journal of King Saud University – Computer and Information Sciences, 36(1), 101918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksuci.2024.101918
EUAM Ukraine. (2025, July 7). Black Sea Security Drives Maritime Reform in Ukraine. https://www.euam-ukraine.eu/news/black-sea-security-drives-maritime-reform-in-ukraine/
EY Ukraine. (2025, July 2). The Commercial Code has been repealed: what does this mean for business and the state? https://www.ey.com/uk_ua/it-tax-law-digest/the-commercial-code-repealed-what-it-means-for-business-and-the-state
Fratila, A., et al. (2021). The Importance of Maritime Transport for Economic Growth in the European Union: A Panel Data Analysis. Sustainability, 13(14), 7961. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147961
Girvin, S., & Ulfbeck, V. (Eds.). (2024). Carbon-Free Shipping and Shipping Carbon: Contracts in Context. Hart Publishing. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509972661
Gorovaya, K. (2023, October 17). Vessel blocking at the Ukrainian sea ports. Miller. https://millermagazine.com/blog/vessel-blocking-at-the-ukrainian-sea-ports-5408
Gulyas, F. Z., & Kinra, A. (2025). What could make seaports more committed to air quality? A qualitative content analysis of key barriers, drivers, and enablers. Journal of Shipping and Trade, 10, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-024-00190-z
IMO Facilitation Committee. (2022, May 13). Resolution on Amendments to the Annex to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965. (FAL.14(46)). https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/Documents/FAL%2046-24-Add.1%20-%20Report%20Of%20The%20Facilitation.pdf
Initiative on the Safe Transportation of Grain and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian Ports, 2022. https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/black_sea_grain_initiative_full_text.pdf
Interfax-Ukraine. (2025, May 28). DocPort platform launched in Odesa port. https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1075523.html
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973/1978. https://library.arcticportal.org/1699/1/marpol.pdf
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974. Consolidated edition 2004. https://library.arcticportal.org/1696/1/SOLAS_consolidated_edition2004.pdf
International Maritime Organization. (2023, July 19). Circular Letter on Communication from the Government of Ukraine. (No. 4748). https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Documents/Black%20Sea%20and%20Sea%20of%20Azov%20-%20Member%20States%20and%20Associate%20Members%20Communications/Circular%20Letter%20No.4748%20-%20Communication%20From%20The%20Government%20Of%20Ukraine%20%28Secretariat%29.pdf
International Maritime Organization. (2024, January 31). Maritime Single Window – advancing digitalization in shipping. https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/maritime-single-window-advancing-digitalization-in-shipping.aspx
Jia, B. B. (2014). The Principle of the Domination of the Land over the Sea: A Historical Perspective on the Adaptability of the Law of the Sea to New Challenges. German Yearbook of International Law, 57, 1–32. https://www.iilj.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/JiaIILJColloq2015.pdf
Kormych, B., & Averochkina, T. (2023). Black Sea Grain Initiative is Dead, Long Live the New Trade Corridor. Lex Portus, 9(4), 7–15. https://doi.org/10.26886/2524-101X.9.4.2023.1
Kormych, B., Averochkina, T., & Kormych, L. (2024). Black Sea, grain, and two humanitarian corridors: unblocking Ukrainian shipping amid the Russian invasion. Small Wars & Insurgencies, 35(8), 1360–1396. https://doi.org/10.1080/09592318.2024.2384679
Kukhariev, O., Kostiuchenko, O., & Krasytska, L. (2025). Reforming Ukraine’s Civil Legislation as a Tool for Economic Recovery and Ensuring Sustainable Development in the Post-War Period. Baltic Journal of Economic Studies, 11(2), 264–272. https://doi.org/10.30525/2256-0742/2025-11-2-264-272
Kuznietsov, S., Vladyshevska V., & Kuznetsov, S. (2023). Coastal Regions of Ukraine: Governance Transformation amid the Russian Invasion. Lex Portus, 9(1), 37–49. https://doi.org/10.26886/2524-101X.9.1.2023.3
Law on approval of the National Program for the Protection and Restoration of the Environment of the Azov and Black Seas No. 2333-III, 2001. RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2333-14#Text
Law on Contiguous Zone of Ukraine No. 2641-VIII, 2018. RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2641-19?lang=en#Text
Law on Exclusive (Maritime) Economic Zone of Ukraine No. 162/95-VR, 1995. RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/en/162/95-вр#Text
Law on Seaports of Ukraine No. 4709-VI, 2012. RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4709-17?lang=en#Text
Law on State Border of Ukraine No. 1777-XII, 1991. RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1777-12?lang=en#Text
Law on the peculiarities of regulating the activities of legal entities of certain organizational and legal forms in the transitional period and associations of legal entities No. 4196-IX, 2025. RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/main/4196-20?lang=en#Text
Martin, B.P., et al. (2025). Shipping trade and geopolitical turmoil: The case of the Ukrainian Maritime network. Journal of Transport Geography, 128, 104342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2025.104342
Memorandum Regarding navigation along the approach corridor to the ports of Ukraine (Chornomorsk, Odesa, Pivdennyi). https://www.uspa.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/memorandum-agent-ukr-eng-v2.pdf
Merchant Shipping Code of Ukraine, 1995. RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/176/95-вр?lang=en#Text
Ministry for Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine. (2023, September 5). Order on some issues of certification of rank-and-file members of seagoing vessel crews. (No. 784). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z1909-23?lang=en#Text
Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine. (2014, June 16). Order on the closure of sea ports. (No. 255). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0690-14?lang=en#Text
Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine. (2022a, February22). Operational information as of 12:00. https://mtu.gov.ua/news/33488.html
Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine. (2022b, April 28). Order on the closure of sea ports. (No. 256). RADA Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0470-22?lang=en#Text
Nedelko, S. (2025, July 29). Port Infrastructure: Outlook for Investors in 2025. Ilyashev & Partners. https://attorneys.ua/en/publication/port-infrastructure-outlook-for-investors-in-2025/
Notteboom, T., Pallis, A., & Rodrigue, J.-P. (2022). Port Economics, Management and Policy. (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429318184
Odessa Journal. (2025, May 29). Digital platform DocPort launched at the Port of Odessa. https://odessa-journal.com/public/digital-platform-docport-launched-at-the-port-of-odessa
Papanicolopulu, I. (2022). The Historical Origins of the Duty to Save Life at Sea in International Law. Journal of the history of International Law, 24, 149–188. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718050-12340199
PPP Agency. (2025, September 4). Ukraine launches the largest investment project on a public-private partnership basis in the port sector. https://pppagency.gov.ua/ukraine-launches-the-largest-investment-project-on-a-public-private-partnership-basis-in-the-port-sector/
Press Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2025, July 1). Screening of Ukraine’s Transport Legislation for Compliance with European Union Law Conducted. RADA. https://www.rada.gov.ua/en/news/News/263542.html
RADA Legislation of Ukraine. (n.d.). Commercial Code of Ukraine. History of document and versions. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/436-15/card4?lang=en
Sconfietti, Ch. (2025). Seaports and Sovereignty: The Interdependence between Port Efficiency and National Power [Master Thesis, Ca’Foscari University of Venice]. https://unitesi.unive.it/retrieve/e7b2bc0b-4543-4cac-9de7-efad137ba354/Seaports_and_Sovereignty_The_Interdependence_Between%20Port_Efficiency_and_National_Power_Sconfietti_2025-pdfa.pdf
Supreme Court. (2025, August 28). The Commercial Code of Ukraine has lost its validity: key changes from August 28, 2025, what will change and for whom. https://supreme.court.gov.ua/supreme/pres-centr/news/1869305
Tijan, E., Agatić, A., Jović, M., & Aksentijević, S. (2019). Maritime National Single Window – A Prerequisite for Sustainable Seaport Business. Sustainability, 11(17), 4570. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11174570
UkraineInvest. (n.d.). Ukraine is expanding the water area of seaports on the Danube. https://ukraineinvest.gov.ua/en/news/17-11-22
Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority. (2022a, February 25). Publication on port activity. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/uspa.gov.ua/posts/за-інформацію-диспетчерської-служби-дпампу-станом-на-0800-250222-вхідвихід-до-по/261866166120535/
Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority. (2022b, March 3). Publication on port activity. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/uspa.gov.ua/posts/pfbid02yAePChqXi9ojbzj4ZHerBQiNfYJvYjDxesRr2t1GrMgJQ8bWtK92GHTSAt51i9NDl
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982. https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf
