The conference «Import substitution: challenges and demands of arctic offshore projects» took place at the Krylov State Research Centre on the first day of NEVA-2015 under the umbrella of this International Exhibition & Conference forum on commercial shipbuilding, shipping, ports, ocean & offshore engineering.

The conference included four round-tables giving its participants a good opportunity to have focused discussions on issues related to production localization of marine drill equipment for exploratory & production platforms; import dependence in construction of sophisticated specialist vessels, viz. research ships for fisheries. One of the round tables, which specifically dealt with the design of modern marine vessels and platforms against the backdrop of economic sanctions, was arranged to mark the 90-year jubilee of the design bureau Baltsudoproekt now belonging to Krylov State Research Centre.

The use of research & simulation facilities for improving the efficiency and safety of Arctic offshore projects was discussed in detail by researchers of the Krylov’s Research Simulation Centre and Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping being key contributors to this round table. I. Pankov, Director of Sovkomflot Training Simulator Centre, and S. Aizinov, Head of Admiral Makarov State University Research Simulator Centre, presented a paper «Implementation of new STCW Convention & Polar Code requirements regarding crew training for navigation in polar waters «. It should be noted that the Krylov State Research Centre has recently signed an agreement with these two companies on training of seafarers for polar seas.

The conference was attended by a number of other key companies of the industry: Zvezdochka, PAO Gazprom, NK Rosneft, Atomflot, Tranzas Navigator, Vympel, Okeanpribor, etc.

Discussions were concluded by a tour of Krylov’s experimental assets and demonstrations of practical ship polar navigation exercises at Krylov’s simulators.