EU Supports the Next Phase of Maritime Digitalisation
Ukraine has secured a €1.5 million grant from the European Union to continue implementing its Maritime National Single Window (MNSW) project.
According to the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the funding will support the next stage of building a digital platform that complies with both European Union and international maritime standards.
The project will be implemented during 2027–2028 with support from the European Commission through the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
A Single Portal for Vessel Reporting
The Maritime National Single Window will allow shipping companies and shipping agents to submit all mandatory vessel-arrival information through a single electronic portal.
Instead of providing the same data separately to multiple public authorities, users will submit information once, while all authorised agencies will access the required data through the integrated system.
The approach follows the digital reporting model already used across the European Union.
Project Priorities
The new funding will be used to prepare the legal framework required for launching the system, define its governance model, assess the integration of existing Ukrainian digital solutions—including DocPort—develop a national maritime data dictionary and prepare a comprehensive implementation roadmap.
Ensuring compatibility with European digital reporting standards will be one of the project’s main objectives.
Benefits for Shipping Companies
The future platform is expected to simplify administrative procedures for vessel calls by reducing paperwork, eliminating duplicate reporting requirements and accelerating communication between ports and government authorities.
Shipping agents should also benefit from fewer manual processes and a lower risk of reporting errors.
Faster document processing is expected to improve the overall efficiency of port operations.
Integration with Existing Digital Systems
One of the project’s tasks will be evaluating how existing Ukrainian digital platforms can become part of the new ecosystem.
The analysis will include DocPort, which is already used by participants in port operations for electronic document exchange.
Successful integration would allow Ukraine to build upon existing digital infrastructure instead of replacing functioning systems.
Moving Closer to the EU Digital Maritime Environment
The Maritime National Single Window is part of Ukraine’s broader effort to harmonise its transport legislation and digital infrastructure with European Union requirements.
EU member states already operate under the European Maritime Single Window Environment (EMSWe), which standardises reporting formalities for ships calling at European ports.
By developing a compatible national system, Ukraine aims to improve interoperability with European ports and facilitate international maritime trade.
Implementation Starts in 2027
The next implementation phase will run throughout 2027 and 2028.
During this period, Ukraine plans to complete the regulatory framework, define the system architecture, establish common data standards and prepare for the operational launch of the Maritime National Single Window.
The project represents another step in Ukraine’s wider digital transformation of the transport sector and its integration into the European logistics ecosystem.
Read also: Digital freight transport between Ukraine and the EU continues to expand
