On guard of order: how the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) protects marine agents from abuses of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA)

April 8, 2019 · Publications

While the politicians are learning new pre-election technologies and learning the intricacies of medical researches, there is continuing the tugging of the rope between the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) and other market participants in the transport industry, which has already become a nasty tradition.

We recall that at the end of 2018, USPA presented to its counterparties the unpleasant surprise in the form of a new adhesion agreement. The decision adopted by the Administration is nothing more than an attempt at one's sole discretion regulate the maritime agency market, or rather, the monopolist’s desire to unilaterally determine both the conditions for market access and the status of the marine agent.

“For the sake of justice, point out that since the beginning of 2019, the Administration has already held 2 meetings on the issue of the adhesion agreement. Although it looks somewhat strange - to start negotiations after all of the agents have been involuntarily joined the agreement, the dialogue is certainly needed. And in the process of such negotiations it is necessary to reach the balanced and win-win solution. Otherwise, the maritime industry will earn additional disadvantages in the eyes of foreign partners and once again reduce its attractiveness for investments that today it needs more than ever "- said the Managing Partner of the LAW FIRM LEGRANT, Tatiana Titarenko.

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