According to the Transport Bulletin, the world economy has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Closed borders have reduced transport links, cargo and passenger traffic. According to the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, air and inland water transport only in terms of volumes of goods carried. The increase in the latter’s inland waterway transport was about 20 per cent.
The reorganization of the water transport structure began in frames of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated March 9, 2020 № 137 “Establishment of a State Administration of Water Transport “.
State Administration of the Water Transport created ensuring accessibility, improving the quality and safety of water transport services; ensuring the fulfillment of the international obligations of the Republic of Belarus in the field of merchant shipping.
In this regard, it is intended that administrative procedures will assume а State Administration of the Water Transport.
The Organization’s functions development of inland waterways and their transport infrastructure, developing measures to implement the provisions of international and intergovernmental treaties.
In the interview with the Transport Bulletin, the Director of the State Administration of the Water Transport Tatiana Tabolich says:
“State Administration of the Water Transport acts as customer, which organizing the execution of track works and works on the maintenance of navigable hydraulic structures on inland waterways. State Administration of the Water Transport participate in the organization of retraining and advanced training of the command staff and crew members of sea vessels. Administration conduct scientific and practical conferences on inland waterway and sea transport. Also State Administration of the Water Transport fulfills the obligations of Belarus under international treaties, including the functions of the national maritime administration”.
Source: Transport Bulletin (https://transport-gazeta.by/https://transport-gazeta.by/)