Russia Drafted Shipbuilding Development Program 2030

16.10.2012 The program is oriented at development of military-related enterprises, sea shelf projects, and construction of ice-class vessels. Draft of the Russian Shipbuilding Development Program-2030 was prepared by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Its overall volume of financing makes about RUR 1.3 trillions.

Primarily, the program provides development of defense industrial sector; in civil shipbuilding, the accent is put upon sea shelf projects and construction of ice-class ships. Therefore, main beneficiary of the program will be state-led United Shipbuilding Corporation, reports PrimaMedia.

Russian shipyards are quite capable to execute fivefold increased order of domestic shipowners. That was a result of calculation held at the expert round table in the Public Chamber when discussing the Shipbuilding Development Program.

According to Andrei Kurasov, deputy director of shipbuilding department at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Russian shipowners annually place shipbuilding orders abroad to the amount of about $1 bln.

Throughout recent 10 years, Russian shipyards hold only 6 percent in overall volume of their orders. However, considering technical capabilities of Russian shipbuilding, this share could be about 30%. To tell the truth, experts say the situation in the shipbuilding sector improves, and Russia shortens its lag mostly thanks to defense orders. As of the military shipbuilding, Russia holds the second position in the global market yielding only to the US.

Speaking of the civil sector, the reporter drew special attention to the need for new types of ships to accomplish tasks in the Arctic. Russia needs 26 icebreakers by 2020, including one nuclear-powered 110-MW icebreaker and five 60-MW icebreakers, up to 230 tankers, and about 40 liquefied natural gas carriers. General demand for shelf-exploration assets is about 130. Generally, Ministry of Trade and Industry evaluates Russia's demand for civil vessels as 1,400 ships.

The program will be implemented within the 18-year period. Through this time, all conditions for technology development and staff training will be created.

It is planned to reach the level of advanced countries as of the quality of shipbuilding products and improve its investment attraction. According to declared statements, by 2030 Russia will build three times as many civil ships as it currently produces, improve labor efficiency, and renew half of shipyard production capacities.