KEY CONCLUSIONS
The economic potential of the global ocean is tremendous and the humanity underestimates it hugely
«Life on the water is becoming increasingly attractive for people. It’s not just houseboats that everyone is used to in Holland. It is essentially the possibility of what futurologists used to depict as some future life of people both under and on water. It is perfectly obvious that the riches of the global ocean are an inexhaustible source of people’s welfare,» Alexey Rakhmanov, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, United Shipbuilding Corporation.
«Using the ocean, we can produce six times the amount of food the world is producing. We can produce renewable energy. We can make up for 20% of hydrocarbon shortage by using the ocean’s resources. We can expand the scale of ocean-based economy. Today, it is worth about USD 2 trillion, and it can grow to 10–15 trillion,» Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO.
«I think we often underestimate the economic potential of the ocean. It does indeed open up extensive opportunities for us, it creates jobs. It will give new opportunities to people around the world, and this is vital for future generations that will be able to live safer lives on our planet,» Philippe Cousteau Jr., scientist, journalist.
«Our generation is now involved in protecting the planet. I have worked in the ocean for 35 years, I saw it change, and it is changing very quickly. I think that the crucial problem of our generation is protecting the planet. Every industrial sector, every country, every person can help resolve this crisis,» Lewis Pugh, Ocean Advocate, Patron of the Oceans, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
PROBLEMS
The Global Ocean is highly vulnerable, and Russia’s role in protecting it is immense
«The three key problems today that are creating the ’perfect storm’ are climate change, overfishing, and environmental pollution. In resolving these problems, we primarily need Russia’s assistance. I don’t need to explain why. Because Russia is the world’s largest country and it has a huge coastline,» Lewis Pugh, Ocean Advocate, Patron of the Oceans, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
«I would like to call upon everybody to recognize the new opportunities, the new tools for reducing carbon emissions. We can do a great many things,» Philippe Cousteau Jr., scientist, journalist.
«100 million tons of a plastic garbage patch are drifting in the vicinity of the Caribbean Islands. It cannot but cause concern to everyone because we find microplastics even in fish. At this clip, we will get another health problem for our population. Cleaning the waters therefore becomes a very serious task for us, shipbuilders,» Alexey Rakhmanov, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, United Shipbuilding Corporation.
«I think we do need to make the effort and ensure that the issue of pooling our efforts in the global ocean does become the uniting motif that allows us to take a fresh look at what is going on. And to conclude that the policies of separatism and division have no prospects,» Alexey Rakhmanov, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, United Shipbuilding Corporation.
SOLUTIONS
Switching maritime transportation to new types of fuel and developing unmanned fleet
«We have reasons to claim that nuclear fuel is indeed an environmentally friendly solution for shipbuilders. The only thing we would very much want is for conventional civilian vessels, should they be developed and be put into operation, to also be allowed to dock in ports throughout the world as are ships that use diesel and gas. [...] We are absolutely confident that the prospects of developing shipbuilding will make us use alternative energy sources that include hydrogen, electric propulsion by batteries, and of course, solar power and wind power,» Alexey Rakhmanov, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, United Shipbuilding Corporation.
«Imagine ships that do not depend on the human factor, that are safe, simple, that do not need to sustain people on board, that do not require saving people’s life in the open sea. That will largely result in maritime transportation becoming somewhat analogous to elevators. You press a button, and it delivers you where you need to go. This is automatic, reliable, safe, and does not require human involvement. [...] We have agreements signed, and over 20 vessels will be equipped with autonomous navigation systems and will fly Russia’s flag. I am confident their number will significantly increase in the next few years,» Alexander Pinsky, General Director, Maritime High Tech Association, MARINET.
Developing Arctic navigation with ease the traffic on other maritime routes
«The Arctic is a unique region in many ways. These are vast territories with a very small population, with very few people living there. Therefore, there is no one to contend, and there is no need for contending, we need to cooperate. The Arctic in general is an exporter region. If you want to trade with the entire world, you can, for instance, export fish from there to the entire world,» Mads Frederiksen, Director, Arctic Economic Council.
«Russia has an opportunity to create a new access point to the sea in the North, an access point to the non-freezing part of the Arctic Ocean. This is the Nenets Autonomous District, the place is called Indigo. This is the final point for the Gulfstream. [...] The north of Russia, the Northern Urals, Western Siberia are now becoming actively involved in international trade, and this is the closest point for shipping out exported commodities. Fertilizers from the Perm Region, timber from the Komi Republic, oil from Western Siberia, metal from Cherepovets — these are the commodities that gravitate toward the closest shipping point, which is Indigo,» Roman Trotsenko, Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, AEON Corporation.
For more information, visit the ROSCONGRESS.ORG Information and Analytical System.
