20.12.2018
In broad terms, the doctrine gives the impression of being a document disconnected from reality, expert believes.
The new edition of the Maritime Doctrine till 2035, as related to supporting the shipbuilding industry, risks becoming the same declarative document as its predecessor from 2009. This is how Vasiliy Fedin, Director General of Smart Maritime Group, commented on approval of the new edition of the Maritime Doctrine by the government. According to him, in spite of a more thoughtful detailing of the steps needed to restart the shipbuilding industry, in general, the doctrine gives the impression of a document divorced from reality. “The doctrine does not fully take into account the military agenda, which scares off potential customers and investors, as well as obligations to the IMF, with the latter not supporting protectionism for individual industries. In addition, provisions of the doctrine should be enshrined in specific legislation, but even in this case, shipbuilders do not receive any guarantees. A vivid example of this is the Export Credit Agency established by law, which was designed to provide financial support to capital-intensive export-oriented industries. The law on ECA was passed two years ago. The agency should have worked for a year now. However, the government promises that the institution will be up and running at full capacity only next year. Thus, despite the generally good intentions for the industry, the updated Maritime Doctrine runs the risk of replenishing the collection of stillborn regulations,” underlined Mr Fedin.