The European Business Association (EBA) has called on the Ukrainian parliament to revise draft law No. 15063, which would allow up to 10% of port fees to be directed toward financing air defense systems and protecting maritime infrastructure. The initiative comes amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, grain terminals, and logistics facilities that threaten agricultural exports and international trade operations.
The proposed legislation would allow the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority to allocate part of its revenues to engineering, technical, and air defense protection for critical infrastructure facilities. This includes the purchase of air defense systems, strengthening port infrastructure, and funding militarized security services during martial law. While the business community supports stronger protection measures, it also emphasizes the need for transparent mechanisms governing the use of these funds.
The EBA stresses that the system must clearly define responsibilities between the government, military authorities, and private port operators. The association also warns against excessive administrative pressure on businesses and the potential imposition of mandatory security services on port companies. At the same time, industry representatives insist on maintaining uninterrupted operations at grain terminals, which remain essential for Ukraine’s export economy.
Analysts note that the stability of maritime logistics directly affects foreign currency revenues and the competitiveness of Ukraine’s agricultural sector. Following repeated attacks on port infrastructure, financing protective systems has become one of the key priorities for both the state and private businesses. Experts believe that combining public and private resources could form the basis of a new model for protecting Ukraine’s strategic logistics infrastructure.