Patrushev stated the need for the NEC Maritime Board to counter sanctions

The Scientific and Expert Council of the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation should address the main challenges in the sphere of maritime activities that have emerged due to Western sanctions. This was stated by Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Maritime Board, at the Council's meeting on December 11.

"The activity of the scientific council acquires special importance in connection with the tough sanctions policy against our country. The imposed sanctions are aimed, among other things, at restraining Russia in the scientific and technological sphere," he noted.

According to Patrushev, the work of the Scientific and Expert Council of the Maritime Board should be aimed at solving the main challenges in the sphere of maritime activities, namely: ensuring import independence of critical products of the maritime industry, design and construction of our own modern ships and vessels, including ice-class, creation and introduction of marine machinery, equipment and advanced additive technologies for the development of resources and spaces of the World Ocean, increasing the volume of geological exploration and marine scientific research, as well as the development of new technologies and technologies for the development of maritime resources and spaces of the World Ocean

The Chairman of the Maritime Board also emphasized the importance of developing the tradition of the Russian scientific school. In his opinion, this institution has been lost at present, which leads to a number of problems related to the construction of the fleet. Patrushev said that the restoration of scientific and technical leadership will ensure the reliability and safety of new ships and vessels, as well as improve the quality of design.

"These are the main tasks the Council's activities should be aimed at solving. I count on the active participation of all Council members in the upcoming work," Patrushev concluded his speech.

The day before, on December 10, Patrushev said that Russia needs to have modern domestic facilities for the construction of ships for international cargo transportation.

Prior to that, on November 29, the chairman of the Maritime Board outlined the main tasks of the Maritime Board council's activities and said that it was necessary to develop and implement tools for integrated management of maritime activities aimed at protecting Russia's national interests.

Western countries have increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.