International Arctic Forum 2019 to Focus on Developing Global Shipbuilding

A separate session will be devoted to developing the construction of modern vessels as part of the ‘Open Ocean’ theme of the business programme of ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ 5^th International Arctic Forum.

At present, the shipbuilding industry is actively developing advanced engines that run on more eco-friendly and cost-efficient fuels along with materials and structures, onboard systems, and technologies to protect vessels from ice and reduce the ice load. There has also been innovative activity to design devices for the automated and remote control of large vessels to transport hazardous goods and to make shipping cheaper. Four icebreakers are to be built by 2024 that run on liquefied natural gas and can ship raw materials year-round from the port of Sabetta.

“Shipbuilding is a sector of the economy on whose development the potential for trade and economic relations between Russia and the leading countries of the world, and, as a result, improvements to the global economic situation as a whole depends”, Adviser to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov said. “Today, most of the attention is being focused on the construction of an atomic icebreaking fleet to expand opportunities for commercial shipping in the Russian Arctic. As part of the business programme of the International Arctic Forum 2019, participants will learn about achievements in the industry and also conduct serious work on innovative projects that will help make a breakthrough in Russian shipbuilding”.

United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) President Alexei Rakhmanov will take part in the session. “Even though USC is actively working to further develop the export of our products, the Russian market is the core market for us. This is why we will be extremely active at the Forum, exchanging experience with our colleagues on the introduction of the latest innovative solutions and discussing international projects that we need to implement in the coming years”, Rakhmanov said in comments on his company’s participation in the International Arctic Forum.

Another session at the International Arctic Forum will be devoted to the production and use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Arctic, which is closely related to shipbuilding. Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak is expected to take part in the discussion. Experts and managers from all companies and agencies involved in the development of the LNG market will discuss projects for expanding one of the most promising areas in the gas industry.

With the launch of LNG projects in Yamal, experts believe that Russia now has a real chance to become one of the world leaders in this market. LNG is expected to make up half of the planned cargo traffic via the Northern Sea Route.

Cutting-edge technologies in shipbuilding will also be demonstrated as part of an event organized by Sovcomflot, which will take place on the sidelines of the International Arctic Forum 2019 on one of its vessels from the ‘green’ large-tonnage tanker Aframax series. Company officials will

show off the cutting-edge technologies of this newest tanker, which has already set a new standard of safety and quality for the world shipping industry that is consistent with Russia’s state programme and directives from the country’s leaders on accelerating the introduction of gas-engine fuel in modes of transportation.

‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ 5^th International Arctic Forum will be held in St. Petersburg on 9–10 April 2019.