A public controversy has erupted around the head of Ukraine's Shipping Administration, Serhiy Hurskyi, which representatives of the maritime industry characterize as a "black" PR campaign. Against the backdrop of an ongoing political attack, industry organizations, by contrast, are noting practical changes in the agency's work: improved services for seafarers, digitization of procedures, and the establishment of a systematic dialogue with the professional community. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing comments from representatives of the maritime industry.
"Shadow fee" on the Danube: allegation and refutation
One of the most resonant claims in the public campaign of People's Deputy Anna Skokhokh was the statement about an alleged "shadow fee" of 30,000–50,000 dollars for a vessel's place in the queue on the Danube. However, the Association of Ports of Ukraine "UKRPORTR" (Ukrainian Ports Association) stated that it has no confirmed information about such payments and has not received any corresponding inquiries from its members. The president of "UKRPORTR," Dmytro Barinov, who recently visited the Danube region and held meetings with representatives of private terminals, state ports, the AMPU, and the business community, emphasized that the conversations focused on real shipping problems — the throughput capacity of the Sulynsk (Sulin) lock, the shallowing of the Danube, and procedural issues. "This doesn't exist," Barinov stated, adding that port operators, freight forwarders, and agents are primarily interested in increasing the number of vessel operations, not in creating artificial barriers.
Delimitation of powers: what falls within the competence of the Shipping Administration
Industry representatives also point to the need for a clear delimitation of the powers of state bodies. According to the AMPU, the Sulynsk lock is managed by the Romanian AFDJ, while the planning of vessel operations in Ukrainian ports is carried out on the basis of confirmations from the port operator, the maritime agent, and the port administration. The main factor in forming the queue is the date of confirmation of the vessel for handling. Thus, the organization of vessel operations, the determination of the order of processing, and cargo operations do not fall within the powers of the Shipping Administration, which calls into question the validity of a number of public accusations directed at the agency.
Digitization and dialogue with seafarers: what has changed in three months
Particular attention should be paid to the changes in interaction with the Shipping Administration on issues concerning the work of Ukrainian seafarers. The head of the All-Ukrainian Crewing Association, Pavlo Nykytyk, notes that state procedures for processing documents and confirming the qualifications of seafarers are gradually being improved and digitized. According to him, interaction between the professional community and the Administration has become more systematic, and attention to the transparency and efficiency of procedures has grown noticeably. In particular, the industry notes the cancellation of an additional certificate, which had previously been flagged by colleagues from the NGO "Together Against Corruption," as well as a 50% increase in the issuance of seafarer identity documents. "Yes, there is still work to be done, but in three months there was a very powerful start," the specialists summarize. These areas were among the priorities announced after Hurskyi's appointment to the post in May 2026, when the new leadership outlined the tasks of digitizing services, developing international cooperation, and ensuring the timely provision of services to seafarers.
Contradictory data
There are a number of significant discrepancies between the positions of the parties. On the one hand, People's Deputy Anna Skokhokh publicly claims the existence of a "shadow fee" of 30,000–50,000 dollars for a vessel's place in the queue on the Danube, which, in her version, indicates corruption in the system. On the other hand, "UKRPORTR" categorically denies having confirmed information about such payments, and the association's president, Dmytro Barinov, who held direct meetings with market participants in the Danube region, states: "This doesn't exist." Moreover, according to the AMPU, the organization of vessel operations and the determination of the order of processing do not fall within the competence of the Shipping Administration, which casts doubt on the very subject of the accusations. Until the official investigation is completed, it is impossible to give a final assessment of the validity of the claims.
Disciplinary proceedings and prospects
For the maritime industry, the stable work of the regulator is of particular importance: Ukrainian shipbuilding, ship repair, and port infrastructure operate under difficult conditions, so it is critically important to maintain ongoing processes, the continuity of services, and professional dialogue. The head of the Public Union "Maritime Cluster of Ukraine," Artem Vashtshenko, emphasizes that the public conflict over the leadership of the Shipping Administration should not halt the changes and reforms that have been initiated. Meanwhile, the claims against the head of the agency remain the subject of an official investigation: on September 9, 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers initiated disciplinary proceedings against Serhiy Hurskyi and suspended him from his duties. The commission is to inform the government of the results of its work by October 23, 2026. Until the completion of this investigation, any conclusions about the validity of the accusations are premature, and the public campaign around Hurskyi, in the opinion of industry experts, requires a separate review of its factual basis.
