Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/480

Contents

NoReform/ InvestmentName of the stepTimelineStep description11.1Reform 1.Comprehensive planning of transport sectorAdoption of the revised National Transport Strategy of Ukraine until 2030Q42024Adoption of an Order of the Cabinet of Ministers on updating the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine for the period up to 2030.The Strategy focuses on these main areas:

—reconstruction and development of a competitive and efficient transport system in line with EU policies and standards in particular relating to trans-European transport networks and the decarbonisation targets of the transport sector set out at international and European level (including through the development of railway, road and inland waterway routes, included in indicative maps of the TEN-T network, digitisation of transport system management, etc.);

—reconstruction of border crossing points on the border with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania;

—establishing a national rail safety authority and vesting it with the powers and functions assigned to it by EU legislation;

—ensuring the functional separation of the infrastructure manager and railway undertakings, including the independence of the infrastructure manager as regards essential functions and the rules on financial relations/transactions, including a separation of accounts within the railway undertakings;

—creating a comprehensive legislative framework for the functioning of a competitive passenger and freight market, including ensuring equitable, non-discriminatory and transparent access to railway infrastructure for railway undertakings;

—defining and regulating the principles of ensuring the safety of navigation in the territorial sea, inland sea waters, seaports, and inland waterways;

—railways (in line with the new legislation on railway transport of Ukraine);

—high-quality passenger transportation and unimpeded mobility;

—creation of a network of service areas;

—introducing a legal framework for the safety certification of railway undertakings and the safety authorisation of infrastructure managers;

—setting up an independent Regulatory Body and defining its functions and powers;

—introducing non-discriminatory charging for use of infrastructure and service facilities;

—improvement of the mechanism for implementing the international regime for the protection of ships and seaports;

—maritime and inland shipping (in line with the new legislation on merchant shipping and shipping on inland waterways);

—safe for people and the environment, sustainable, energy-efficient transport.

—simplification of border crossing procedures (digitalisation and introduction of joint control) in line with EU standards.

—establishing a national investigating body and introducing the technical investigation of railway accidents;

—licensing of railway undertakings by an independent Licensing Authority,

—establishing of competent authorities for the award of public service contracts

—defining a detailed mechanism for controlling ships in a seaport;

—roads;

—establishing the legal framework for vehicle and infrastructure authorization based on technical specifications for interoperability;

—defining the content of public service contracts in the railway sector;

—review of the functions of the central executive body implementing state policy in the areas of maritime and inland waterway transport and shipping in the Merchant Shipping Code, the Laws of Ukraine “On Transport”, “On Inland Waterway Transport” and “On Seaports of Ukraine” in order to eliminate duplication of legislative norms and clarify the division of competence, in particular with the central executive body that ensures the formation and implementation of state policy in the areas of maritime and inland waterway transport;

—aviation;

—establishing a legal framework for train driver certification, based on the EU model.

—establishing mechanisms to control contract performance and rule out overcompensation for the provision of public services.

—simplification of administrative procedures, a clear list of powers of state bodies, elimination of administrative barriers.

—and border crossing points (in line with the Strategy for developing and expanding the border infrastructure with EU Member States and the Republic of Moldova until 2030).

11.2Reform 2.Development of Ukraine’s export logistics potentialAdoption of the Strategy for developing and expanding the border infrastructure with EU Member States and the Republic of Moldova until 2030Q42024Adoption of the Strategy for Developing and Expanding the Border Infrastructure with EU Member States and the Republic of Moldova until 2030. The Strategy focuses on these main areas:11.3Reform 3.Liberalisation in the railways transport sectorEntry into force of the law on traffic safety and interoperability of railway transport of Ukraine with application within three years from its adoptionQ42025Entry into force of the Law of Ukraine “On Traffic Safety and Interoperability of Railway Transport of Ukraine” with application within three years from its adoption. The law ensures technical integration of railway transport in line with the principles of Directives 2016/798, 2016/797, and Regulation 2016/796 and focuses on these main areas:11.8Reform 3.Liberalisation in the railways transport sectorEntry into force of the law on the railway transport market with a sequential application of its provisionsQ42026Entry into force of the Law of Ukraine “On the Railway Transport Market” with a sequential application of its provisions. The law will implement key elements of EU legislation on the single European railway area and on the provision of public passenger transport services by rail (PSO) in line with the principles of Directive 2012/34/EC as amended and Regulation (EC)1370/07 read in conjunction with its 2023 Interpretative Guidelines. The Law will apply sequentially as follows:within three years from its entry into force in the part concerning these main areas:within five years from its entry into force, which include a transition period of at least 2 years in the part concerning these main areas:11.4Reform 3.Liberalisation in the railways transport sectorAdoption of the by-laws for the implementation of the legislation on railway transportQ42027Adoption of the main legislative acts (by-laws) for the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Railway Transport of Ukraine”. The by-laws introduce mechanisms for the functioning of the rail transportation market and, in particular, focus on: equal access to the rail infrastructure, licensing of railway operators, safety management systems, the procedure for the organisation of socially important passenger transportation (PSO).11.5Reform 4.Improved shipping and ports servicesEntry into force of the legislation on merchant shipping and shipping on inland waterwaysQ42026Entry into force of the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Concerning Merchant Shipping and Shipping on Inland Waterways”. The Law focuses on these main areas:11.6Reform 4.Improved shipping and ports servicesReview and amend the existing national legislation in line with the principles Regulation (EU) 2017/352 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2017 establishing a framework for the provision of port services and common rules on the financial transparency of portsQ12027Review and amend the existing national legislation (including relevant subordinate legal acts) in line with the principles of Regulation (EU) 2017/352 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2017 establishing a framework for the provision of port services and common rules on the financial transparency of ports.11.7Investment 1.Investments in transport infrastructureInvestments of at least EUR 350 million in transport infrastructureQ42027Report of the government (or State Treasury report) showing that in the State Budgets for 2026 and 2027 the general government budgeted at least EUR 350 million (in UAH equivalent) for the reconstruction, restoration, modernisation and upgrade of damaged and destroyed transport infrastructure facilities, in line with the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine until 2030, including some of the funds to be directed to the regional level (as part of step 9.8), among others in the following sectors: