The order of Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry on the specifics of transportation of hazardous freight by rail could block operation of the fuel market from September, the Ukrainian Oil & Gas Association has said.
“According to the order, hazardous cargos and waste by rail can be transported only by license holders [the licenses are issued by the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety]… The regulations should be drawn up, companies are to collect some documents, and if the companies do not have a relevant employee they are to hire a skilled employee who will be responsible for organization of transportation of hazardous cargos,” the association said.
The press service said that the problem is that the vague text of the order allows requiring the license not only from shipping companies, but also from cargo dispatchers and receivers.
“A representative of the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety verbally confirmed these plans,” the association said.
Oil traders believe that the ministry’s order is not in line with several legal documents.
For example, the law on transportation of hazardous cargos says that the subject of transportation is shipping companies that are to have licenses.
“Retail fuel sellers are not involved in these activities,” the association said.
The press service said that the enforcement of the order in this form would block operation of nonresident companies which import around 80 percent of fuel for the Ukrainian market.
The Ukrainian Oil & Gas Association has asked the Infrastructure Ministry, the Ukrainian prime minister and international business organizations to pay attention to the order hindering the operations of the fuel market.
