Tag: Ukraine

20% VAT is already being charged on all port services On 4 June 2009 the Ukrainian parliament passed a law concerning VAT charges on "port dues" (meaning tonnage, canal, sanitary, wharfage, administrative, light and anchorage dues where applicable) for vessels calling Ukraine.Unfortunately, the wording of the law was unclear and left open questions as to whether the lifting of VAT exemption on "port dues" wouldencompass all vessels oronly be applicable to vessels calling Ukrainian ports for purposes other than cargo operations (i.e. bunkering, provisions, repairs) or engaged in cabotage voyages.Due to the absence of an official clarification from the fiscal administration themajority of Ukrainian portsstarted implementation of VAT charges in accordance with their own interpretation of the official Ukrainian legislation.In order to resolve this issue the Ukrainian parliament passed Decree 3387-V2 on 17 June 2011 applying 20% VAT on all "port dues" effective 1 July 2011.For members' guidance the 20% VAT is already being charged on all "port services" related to ships calling at any Ukrainian port. This applies to mooring operations, pilotage services, tugboat services and all services related to the arrival and sailing of ships (arrival-sailing formalities, night watchmen, etc).Source: Economou International Shipping Agencies Ltd

Anti-piracy operations at sea and on shore will be a major part of the exercises Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Monday launched the Sea Breeze 2011 military exercises in South Ukraine's Odessa and Nikolaev regions.Naval, land and air exercises under the title "Planning and carrying out the international peacekeeping operations" will be held till June 18. International anti-piracy operations at sea and on shore will be a major part of the exercises.The drills will involve around 2,400 navy personnel from 15 countries, including Ukraine, the United States, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Britain, Algeria, Denmark, Georgia, Canada, Macedonia, Moldova, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey and France.Ukraine's Air Forces, Military Service Law Enforcement of the Armed Forces, State Border Service, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Emergencies will take part in these exercises.A total of 15 ships, boats and auxiliary vessels of the Ukrainian Navy, five boats from the State Border Service of Ukraine, two U.S. ships, four Turkish ships and one ship from Georgia will take part in the exercises.The military exercises have been conducted in Ukraine annually since 1997 except 2006 and 2007 when they were canceled due to anti-NATO protests in Ukraine.Source: Xinhua