Change of leadership in the Shipping Administration: what is known about Kravchuk’s resignation and who has been appointed
10 February 19:20
The head of the State Service of Maritime and Inland Water Transport and Shipping of Ukraine, Mykola Kravchuk, announced the end of his tenure.
He announced this on Facebook, noting that he was stepping down as head of the Shipping Administration on that day, according to Komersant.
According to Kravchuk, during his tenure, citizens and businesses received more than 75,000 government services in the maritime sector. These include administrative procedures related to shipping, maritime infrastructure, and shipowner activities.
At the same time, Kravchuk did not specify the reasons for his decision to leave his post.
Who will head the service next
The duties of the head of the Shipping Administration have been temporarily assigned to the first deputy head of the service, Yuriy Kononenko, according to a statement on the Government Portal.
No official announcement has been made regarding a permanent head. Thus, the service will operate under temporary leadership.
What is known about Mykola Kravchuk
Mykola Kravchuk became head of the Shipping Administration in January 2025, and from February of the same year, he served as acting head of the service.
Kravchuk has extensive experience in management and has held senior positions in enterprises and the public sector for ten years.
He graduated from the National Academy of Internal Affairs with a degree in law.
For his personal contribution to supporting the state’s defense capabilities, he was awarded departmental honors by the Armed Forces of Ukraine — the III degree breastplate “For Service and Valor” and the honorary breastplate “For Assistance to the Army.”
Who is Yuriy Kononenko
Yuriy Kononenko is a Ukrainian manager and specialist in the field of transport infrastructure and public administration. Since August 2025, he has held the position of First Deputy Head of the Shipping Administration.
He was born on January 25, 1985. He has many years of experience in the maritime industry and public administration, which has allowed him to rise from a specialist engineer to a state-level manager.
Professional activity
Yuriy Kononenko’s career is inextricably linked to the development of Ukraine’s transport potential:
- Civil service (2013–2018): For five years, he worked in the Transport and Communications Infrastructure Department of the Odesa Regional State Administration, where he was responsible for strategic directions in the development of regional logistics.
- Seaport Management (2018–2025): He held management positions at the State Enterprise “Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority” (USPA). In this position, he ensured the effective functioning of the port system amid the complex challenges of recent years.
- Shipping Administration (since August 25, 2025): He took up the duties of First Deputy Head of the Shipping Administration, focusing on reforming the industry and digitizing services.
Education and qualifications
Yuriy Kononenko has three higher education degrees combining technical expertise and strategic management skills:
- Maritime Logistics: Graduated from Odessa National Maritime University with a degree in Transportation Organization and Management (Maritime) (qualification — transportation engineer).
- Public administration: He received a master’s degree from the Odessa Regional Institute of Public Administration of the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine.
- Technical specialization: Master’s degree in “Automotive Transport” (Odessa National Polytechnic University).
Yuriy Kononenko’s appointment in 2025 was part of a strategy to strengthen the Shipping Administration’s staff with experienced specialists who have a deep understanding of the specifics of seaports and transport communications.
UPDATED: What is known about the new head of the USPA
Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine — Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba officially appointed Mykola Kravchuk to the position of head of the State Enterprise “Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority” (USPA).
This personnel change is a strategic step in the renewal of the team at the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development.
