KIEV, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine will spend about 190 million U.S. dollars in the next five years for the modernization of its maritime fleet, the Ukrainian State Seaports Authority (USSA) said on Wednesday.
"It is more beneficial for the state to develop its own fleet for routine works than to involve contractors. Therefore, the USSA will invest in this sector and will do it systematically and transparently," said Rayvis Veckagans, the head of USSA.
By 2022, Ukraine intends to buy a total of 20 new maritime vessels, in particular, seven multifunctional vessels, six pilot-boarding boats and a modern icebreaker for ensuring the navigation safety, the USSA said in a statement.
The dredging fleet will be also upgraded by purchasing two hopper barges, a survey motorboat and a self-propelled dredger, the statement said.
Currently, the USSA owns 128 maritime vessels of different types, which serve 13 Ukraine's ports on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
