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Water supply: priorities for marine science development discussed in Moscow
The first meeting of the Scientific and Expert Council of the Russian Maritime Board was held in Moscow. As its head Nikolai Patrushev emphasized, the participants will prepare proposals on the development of domestic marine science, the most important fundamental and applied research and development. According to Mikhail Kovalchuk, the head of the Council, President of the Kurchatov Institute, among the priorities of the structure's work are scientific and expert support of the issues that are submitted to the board, preparation of the agenda, recommendations on the development of the Navy and marine robotics, which has become especially important today.
Priorities of the board's work
On December 11, the first meeting of the Scientific and Expert Council of the Maritime Board of Russia was held in Moscow. Its participants discussed the priority areas of work based on the tasks set before the body by the President. In modern conditions, an important component of maritime policy is its scientific support, which includes both the development of fundamental knowledge and the introduction of advanced developments in the production and practice of maritime activities, emphasized Nikolai Patrushev, Chairman of the Maritime Board.
- The main task of the Scientific and Expert Council today is to prepare proposals of the Maritime Board on the development of domestic marine science, fundamental and applied research and development. As well as proposals related to ensuring national security and development of the Navy. The Expert Council will give recommendations on the organization of research and implementation of its results in production practice, development of digital technologies, including those that improve the quality of management and increase the effectiveness of international scientific cooperation, - said Nikolai Patrushev.
Russian Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev and President of the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, right Mikhail Kovalchuk (right) during the first meeting of the Scientific and Expert Council of the Russian Maritime Board, December 11, 2024.
No less important is the work related to expert and analytical support of the activities of the councils formed within the Maritime Collegium. As well as scientific study of issues related to the development of communication and navigation support, shipbuilding, creation of crewless vessels, robotized and special deep-sea systems. Development of new materials for shipbuilding and shipbuilding, development of the Arctic zone of the country and development of the Arctic energy sector are of particular importance today, emphasized the head of the board.
According to him, nine specialized sections have been formed within the board to solve all these problems. The work of the body is of particular importance in the conditions of tough sanctions policy directed against Russia. Therefore, the council should ensure the import of critical products for the maritime industry, as well as the creation of its own ships and technologies through the concentration of domestic intellectual potential.
Expert support and Arctic development
- We must provide scientific and expert support and backing for issues that are brought before the Maritime Board. It is extremely important to form correct proposals for the strategic development of the Navy," commented Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the Kurchatov Institute, head of the Scientific and Expert Council of the Naval Collegium.
He noted the high qualification of the council members, more than 50% of whom have scientific degrees, and 16% of whom are members of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Mikhail Kovalchuk emphasized: today the country has already exhausted the scientific and technical reserves of the Soviet period, so it is time to outline new directions necessary to maintain technological sovereignty. In particular, the development of marine robotics, which today is capable of solving many different tasks, is of great relevance.
The head of the Kurchatov Institute paid special attention to Arctic exploration, development of the Arctic zone of the country and the Northern Sea Route. Russia historically remains a leader in this area, having created the world's first icebreaker and possessing the world's only nuclear icebreaker fleet.
- In our opinion, the first among scientific and technological priorities in the Arctic is innovative shipbuilding technologies. Universal nuclear-powered icebreakers of the 22220 series and the new icebreaker Leader are now in production . Together with Gazprom and Rosatom, deep-sea submersibles, a nuclear-powered gas carrier, and an ice-resistant self-propelled platform with a nuclear power device on board are being developed. All of this is based on Arctic materials specially developed at the Kurchatov Institute (Central Research Institute "Prometey" in St. Petersburg)," said Mikhail Kovalchuk.
The scientist also pointed out the need for a thorough study of Arctic ecosystems. It is impossible to develop the Arctic without creating a powerful coastal infrastructure, but when creating it, it is necessary to realize that the ecology of the region is so fragile and complex that fundamentally new nature-like technologies should be applied there, emphasized the President of the Kurchatov Institute.
