President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky advocates the adoption of a law on inland waterway transport, which will allow the development of a cheap type of freight transportation and save Ukrainian highways.
During a conversation with media representatives in Kherson region, the president noted that now the state is investing billions of hryvnias in the repair and construction of highways, and then overloaded trucks move along them and destroy the roadbed.
“The country should have several routes of transportation. Water transport is one of the cheapest types of transportation,” Zelensky said.
According to the head of state, the draft law on water transport is under consideration in the profile committee of the Verkhovna Rada.
“I am sure that we will vote this law, and this type of transport, which we really need, will work. And we will develop shipping and transportation,” Zelensky stressed.
The adoption of the law will contribute to an increase in freight traffic of 35 million tonnes per year, saving roads and UAH 1 billion for road surface repairs over four years. The document, if adopted, will provide constant funding for safe river infrastructure, stimulate shipbuilding and the restoration of Ukrainian enterprises and jobs, and also open the admission of vessels under a foreign flag to the inland waterways of Ukraine, which will contribute to the development of international trade.
