01.07.2022 // 5th International Forum 'Arctic Shipbuilding' took place in Arkhangelsk. Representatives of the authorities and experts discussed problems and challenges facing the domestic shipbuilding industry, and first of all, the shipyards which service ships on the route of the NSR. After all, in the new geopolitical conditions, it is the shipbuilding industry that will have to solve the most difficult task of moving away from import dependence.

Anatoly Bobrakov, Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, stressed that the Arctic will become the driver of shipbuilding in Russia.

'Today we are talking about the North Sea Route and the turn to the East of the Russian Federation, but this turn will obviously be organised through the North. The project itself <...> is the development driver of today's entire economy of the Russian Federation,' said Bobrakov.

To increase the cargo flow along the North Sea Route to 80 mn tons by 2024, first of all, we need new vessels.

'By 2030, Russia needs to build at least 55 ice-class cargo vessels. The fleet should be provided with icebreakers and rescue vessels,' said Bobrakov.

To service the growing cargo flow, the appropriate port infrastructure is needed. The increase in state support at the federal level will help to accelerate the development and renovation of port complexes.

'The equally important issue is the development of ship repair, especially of medium and small vessels, which until recently were serviced and repaired in foreign ports,' said Alexander Tsybulsky, the Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region. Most of the ports are already closed to Russian shipowners, while available ports in India and Indonesia have significantly increased their service charges.

As an effective way to solve the problem, the governor suggested expanding support measures for ship repair in the Arctic, which would increase the capacity of shipyards. One of the measures is the preferential leasing programme, including one for the purchase of dock infrastructure.

'We are ready to extend maximum assistance to shipyards, provide effective state support measures and develop new ones, promptly responding to the needs of the industry,' Bobrakov said.

The task of staffing the industry is also one of the most important. To solve it, the head of the Arkhangelsk Region suggested that the 'higher educational institution-plant' system of integrated training for engineering personnel should be extended to all regions of the country.

'This system exists at Sevmash, when students actually work at the plant from their first year, getting an internship. This gives a hundred per cent guarantee of employment, and young people come to the plant with some experience,' Tsybulsky said.

'Shipbuilding, ship repair and human resources are the three pillars, which need to be actively engaged in order to develop today's industry,' summarised Tsybulsky on the results of the forum.