Experts and participants of the trial project on unmanned navigation in the Russian Federation aimed at widespread deployment of autonomous ships under the flag of Russia told about the project advancement at the dedicated videoconference “Autonomous ships – progress or blind lane?” organized by PortNews Media Group.

Russian Government has actually scrapped the Nizhegorodsky hydrosystem project, a milestone Russia’s river shipping development, having declared the need for additional modelling and consideration of alternatives. However, the modelling has already been conducted and according to its findings, this project has no alternatives.

RF Ministry of Transport has backed the proposal of the business community to include seaborne passenger transport, stevedores and associated businesses into the list of sectors most affected by the pandemic. Stevedores are also eligible for rent reduction and deferral.

Representatives of water transport industry outlined their proposals on state support of the sector at the meeting held by the President of Russia. Although the Ministry of Finance says that water transport companies can use the existing support mechanisms, Vladimir Putin gave instructions to consider inclusion of water transport into the list of sectors most affected by the pandemic. Yet, the instructions were somewhat indistinct.

The Federation Council hosted yet another hot discussion between representatives of the fishery and shipbuilding industries. Their reciprocal claims culminated with a suggestion that USC and the Ministry of Industry and Trade should present a definite plan of import substitution and with a conclusion that the measures undertaken so far lose their effect due to devaluation. Ship repair was also on the agenda.

Construction of one Leader class icebreaker will consume about 10% of resources allocated for the support of economic amid the pandemic. There also numerous privileges and measures intended to support the Arctic projects. Is it worth the cost? Strategic development of the entire country is at the stake.

Together with the pandemic and economic crisis the world has seen an upsurge of pirate activity. From the beginning of the year, the number of attacks on ships has been increasing in Asia and a containership crew has been recently captured in Africa. Is the world prepared for the new pirate crisis?

COVID-19 pandemic has given an impetus to maritime authorities, ports and classification societies for facilitation of projects on digitalization and remote access. Those who had actively invested in such technologies before the pandemic have gained competitive advantages.

The Strategy for the development of Russian seaports in the Caspian Basin as well as road and railway approaches to them till 2030 can be cited - the dynamics of cargo turnover in the ports of the region depends on economic processes in other Caspian countries, including Iran, as well as Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. In addition, prospects for growth of cargo turnover are associated with the development of trading partnership with India and Gulf countries.

In the beginning of 2020, Russia started enactment of fundamental laws on development of the Arctic zone. What changes are expected? How will the coronavirus and oil crisis affect the Artic development? Aleksandr Krutikov, Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, covers these issues in his interview with IAA PortNews.