Inland water transport: history, problems, directions of development

The article examines the historical stages of the development of inland water transport in Ukraine. The author analyses the problems, which have led to a loss of river transport's competitiveness compared to other modes of transport. This has caused many switching cargo from the river transport on rail and road in recent years. For the revival for inland waterways navigation of Ukraine and improving the capacity of river transport (economic and ecological mode of transport), it is necessary to take measures to withdraw it from stagnating and ensure further growth of river traffic. The main directions of development of river transport are the following: - accelerating the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On inland waterway transport" as a legal basis for the revival of navigation on the waterways of Ukraine. It is stated that the draft law contains progressive norms that reduce in major issues, except one - the introduction of a single river gathering, studies that require additional research on its calculation. The new approaches to the construction of the fleet and the restoration of infrastructure in the public-private partnership are given. The author emphasizes that one of the ways to improve the work of river transport is to create conditions for the development of competition for this it is necessary to adopt the Law of Ukraine "On International Shipping Register of Ukraine". This will allow the return of Ukrainian Navy and implement global standards for the registration of the fleet, including foreign vessels. And simplification of procedures for the opening of the inland waterways of Ukraine for the passage of vessels under foreign flags will promote competition. As a consequence it will increase the volume of export-import traffic and multimodal transport of goods in containers. This article contains recommendations for the States members of the Danube Commission guaranteed the depths of the Danube. The author proposes to increase the participation of Ukraine in the implementation of the European Initiative revival waterway E-40. It allows the transit potential of the Dnieper River, connecting the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea, and will contribute to the revival of freight between Ukraine and Belarus. The author proposes to increase the participation of Ukraine in the implementation of the European Initiative revival waterway E-40. It will provide to use the transit potential of the Dnieper River, connect the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea, and will contribute to the revival of freight between Ukraine and Belarus.