The first meeting of the Scientific and Expert Council of Russia's Maritime Board focused on key research directions for advancing domestic shipbuilding, as well as the development of Russia’s Arctic Zone and the Northern Sea Route.

The session was chaired by Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board, and Mikhail Kovalchuk, Chairman of the Scientific and Expert Council and President of the Kurchatov Institute.

The council's efforts aim to address major challenges in the maritime sector, including the localisation of critical marine industry products, the design and construction of modern vessels, including ice-class ships, and the expansion of geological exploration and marine scientific research.

Participants emphasised the importance of research in communication and navigation development, the creation of robotic systems, unmanned vessels, and specialised deep-sea systems. The meeting also highlighted the priority of advancing scientific and technological developments to safeguard Russia's national interests in the Arctic. Research institutions are expected to focus on innovative shipbuilding technologies and the development of the Arctic Zone and the Northern Sea Route.

The Scientific and Expert Council comprises nine sections:

1. Development of Maritime Activities in the Russian Federation
2. Safeguarding Russia’s National Interests in the Arctic
3. Strategic Development of the Navy
4. Shipbuilding
5. Communication and Navigation Support for Maritime Activities
6. Robotic Systems and Unmanned Ships
7. Specialized Deep-Sea Systems and Complexes
8. Marine Materials Science and Nuclear Energy
9. International Scientific Cooperation in Maritime Activities and Ocean Exploration

The Maritime Board was established on August 13, 2024. The board consists of 52 members, including leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Education and Science, as well as heads of coastal regions, the Border Service, the General Staff's Main Directorate, and major companies.

The attention towards Russia’s maritime development is growing, as the country aspires to increase its presence at sea. It was reported at the 14th Forum Arctic: Today and the Future that the United Shipbuilding Company plans to build at least a thousand ships in ten years.

Another development in the sphere of maritime security was also reported by the Arctic Century: during the Forum, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy stated that Western countries view the Arctic as a potential conflict zone and increase their presence in the Arctic Ocean.

Source: Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation

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