Russia spends $10 billion on import of maritime services
Russia imports more and more maritime services from abroad. Russia’s own shipbuilding industry and shipping sector are in need of state support to get back on track.
In Soviet times the fleet brought the treasury RUB 3-4 billion every year in hard currency. This sum is now halved, and in addition the state is buying maritime services from abroad for $10 billion every year, says Aleksey Klyavin from the Ministry of Transport according to Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
In addition to the lost income and large expenses, the low activity within the maritime sector means that Russia loses many workplaces. One workplace within shipping creates 50 workplaces on shore, while one place within shipbuilding creates 70 places in other sectors.
The Russian Ship Register now counts 360 ships with a total deadweight of 1.5 million tons. The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have prepared a bill on state support of the national shipbuilding industry and shipping sector, which is hoped to encourage ship owners to renew their fleets.
The ports are another prioritized area for Russia. According to Klyavin, only 40 percent of the ports in Russia are capable of receiving deep-draught vessels.
