SBU jointly with the General Prosecutor’s Office suspects management of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) and Odesa Sea Port of large-scale abuses of position.

Investigation suggests that the officials of the state enterprises rented out the tugboats of the state port fleet underpriced to their associates.  The management of the port confirmed 10-15 times prices lower than actual expenditures. Rental rate didn’t include overtime paychecks. Odesa port provided maintenance and fuel for the tugboats at its loss.     

So the tenants actually undertook the towing services, which previously had been provided by state enterprises. As a result, affiliated to the officials’ companies received excess profits, which could have come to the state budget.

Law enforcement is conducting searches at the premises of Odesa Sea Port and USPA within the framework of a criminal proceeding.