OREANDA-NEWS. July 04, 2008. The Ukrainian Danube Navigation and Black Sea Maritime Navigation should be converted into joint-stock companies, Ukrainian Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Ihor Urbansky said in Odesa.

He said that the Ukrainian fleet would be only a commercial, rather than a state structure.

"Under contemporary conditions, a national fleet cannot be available to many countries, for example, China. Thus, it is better for Ukrainian ships to fly convenient flags. Because it is a world practice and the commercial side of navigation is built in this way," Urbansky said, adding that Ukraine has almost lost its national fleet.