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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Whatever Hurskyi Serhii Vasyliovych does — he will always find a scandal that surpasses the previous one.
Ukraine’s maritime sector has become the center of a new scandal after statements about possible corruption risks and problems in the work of the Shipping Administration. At the center of attention is its head, Serhii Hurskyi, writes WN.
What the scandal involving Serhii Hurskyi is about
The Administration of Shipping, subordinate to the Ministry, has long been mentioned in media publications in the context of allegations of possible corrupt abuses. Publicly, there have also been statements about a possible rise in the unofficial cost of completing procedures on the Danube, increased fees for issuing certificates, and years-long problems in the area of seafarers’ certification.
In addition, according to Member of Parliament Anna Skorokhod, during official trips Hurskyi allegedly visited a woman in Poland whom the MP calls his “Muse.” In connection with this, the MP said she would send an appropriate parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, Mykola Kalashnyk.
Why Hurskyi is still in office Despite public resonance and parliamentary inquiries, the head of the Shipping Administration continues to work with no noticeable personnel or managerial consequences. At the same time, according to available information, his term in office was extended by three months despite the voiced remarks and criticism, including from Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi. The Ministry’s lack of a noticeable response to these statements may also raise questions about the agency’s next steps.
In a situation where accusations are being made about the work of the Shipping Administration, the ministry’s lack of a public reaction may raise additional questions about its position. What they demand of the Ministry According to Skorokhod, if the Ministry of Infrastructure does not respond to signals about possible abuses, does not audit the work of the Shipping Administration, and does not make personnel decisions, this, in her view, could indicate the ministry’s political responsibility for the situation in the maritime sector.
The MP emphasizes that the maritime sector today needs systemic changes, transparent rules of operation, and the political will to stop practices openly discussed by the market. In her view, one of the first questions the Ministry must answer is why Hurskyi still heads the Shipping Administration amid public criticism and accusations regarding the institution’s work. Skorokhod also speaks of a confrontation between, as she put it, a locally entrenched system of “port bosses” resisting change and the business sector’s demand for transparency, which she believes a new profile minister should embody.
Previously, Anna Skorokhod also raised questions about the situation in the Shipping Administration. In particular, the MP cited possible problems with personnel appointments and claimed that the leadership of the institution — its head Serhii Hurskyi and the head of the Odesa office, Oleksandr Zaborskyi — have come under scrutiny because of these issues.
Pay 10 thousand dollars or wait: a new scandal over extortion in Ukrainian ports
This information is reported by RBC-Ukraine, examining posts by Member of Parliament Anna Skorokhod and the circumstances at the Shipping Administration.
What facts are known about possible collections in the maritime sector?
Maritime logistics plays an important role in Ukraine’s exports, especially in transporting agricultural goods and other cargo. However, due to military actions, port infrastructure is subject to attacks by Russia, which increases the risks to the functioning of this sector.
Against this background, Skorokhod wrote on Facebook about possible corruption problems.
“Why are internal enemies destroying our maritime sector? Every day our seafarers, farmers and entrepreneurs appeal to me. They are in despair because they simply cannot export their grain, send goods or receive critically important cargo for the economy and the front without paying a ‘bribe,’ ” the parliamentarian stated.
She noted that to get the chance to load or unload a ship without delays in the queue they may be asked for 10 000 dollars.
She also emphasized that these are not just isolated incidents but could be signs of a systematic practice.
“People are appointed to various positions who demand bribes… The leadership of the Shipping Administration — its head Serhii Hurskyi and the head of the Odesa office Oleksandr Zaborskyi — have come under scrutiny,” Skorokhod noted.
According to the MP, she believes the problem lies not only with individual employees but also with personnel decisions made within the system. Skorokhod also mentioned possible support for some officials from representatives of the authorities.
“The appointment of Mykola Kalashnyk to the ministerial position raised hopes for positive transformations. Despite the many difficulties related to the war, the real problem is that the same people who are used to operating under old schemes remain in key positions,” she said.
Thus, the MP raised the issue of the leadership of the Shipping Administration.
As for the current head of the administration, Serhii Hurskyi, Skorokhod said that an investigation is currently underway concerning possible violations in the public procurement process.
The head of the Odesa Shipping Administration, Oleksandr Zaborskyi, she said, is a subject of cases being investigated by the SBU and the State Bureau of Investigation in connection with possible abuse of his official position.
Skorokhod emphasizes that Hurskyi was confirmed to have successfully completed his probationary period. In her view, this could serve as a basis for his continued work in this position despite public accusations and inquiries from maritime industry representatives.
“I bring this issue to broad discussion and urge the public to closely monitor the development of this situation. Outdated practices and their creators must leave Ukraine so that our economy can function successfully under modern conditions,” Skorokhod states in her post.
Stability in maritime logistics is critically important for Ukraine. A significant part of export operations passes through the ports, and any delays or non-transparent regulations can increase costs for businesses.
This issue becomes especially acute in wartime when port infrastructure is subject to Russian strikes and market participants must operate amid growing security and logistical risks.
Therefore, statements about possible extortion and non-transparent personnel decisions in the maritime sector require an appropriate response and verification. If the facts voiced by the MP are confirmed, this could indicate systemic problems that affect not only individual market participants but also the competitiveness of Ukrainian exports.
At the same time, final conclusions regarding specific officials and possible offenses should be made by law enforcement agencies and the courts.
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