The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on May 17, 2012 approved in the second reading the draft law "On the Sea Ports of Ukraine," the Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure said.
The bill is aimed at provision of effective functioning of the port industry of Ukraine in today's market environment. In particular, the draft law establishes the procedure for the construction, commissioning, expansion and closing of sea ports in the country.
The bill provides for the creation of a single state-owned enterprise - the Authority of Sea Ports of Ukraine, which would ensure port operations, maintenance and utilization of state property at the ports, to perform other functions. The new company would have its own branches in every sea port (Sea Port Authority).