CONCESSION IN THE SEAPORTS OF UKRAINE: EXPERIENCE AND PROSPECTS

Seaports concession is a successful global practice for optimizing processes in ports to increase their profitability. Almost all the largest seaports in the world remain in concession. It contributes to the development of their infrastructure and increases cargo handling. However, in Ukraine, seaports concession has long remained only a prospect and has not been applied in practice. With the arrival of the new presidential administration, one of its first tasks was to optimize the country’s transport infrastructure, which meant, in particular, seaports concession. In this article, we consider the main aspects of seaport concession in Ukraine. We used general scientific method, formal-legal method, and analysis and synthesis for our research. We paid attention to the concept of concession and its main features. We gave examples of interpretation of the concession from different points of view. Among them are legal, economic, and logistical interpretations. We considered the correlation of the concession with the concept of public-private partnership. We provided the relevant legal framework in this aspect. For example, we analyzed the Laws of Ukraine “On Public-Private Partnership” and “On Concession”. In conclusion, we argued that there is a necessary level of legal regulation for the implementation of concession mechanisms in seaports of Ukraine. In addition, the study takes into account real examples of concession agreements for seaports in Ukraine. For example, we analyzed the situation with the conclusion of concession agreements for seaports in Mykolayiv and Kherson. We established that the development of concessions is a promising area of public policy. With their help, it is possible to attract funding for the infrastructure of seaports, create jobs, fill the state budget, help local governments. However, to realize the full potential of concessions, it is necessary to take measures to create a favorable investment climate, attractive conditions for private investors-concessionaires, in particular, by improving the judiciary, taxation, public administration, and protect property rights.