At the start of 2023, the losses of Russian shipyards tied to the construction of fishing vessels reached 42 billion rubles. While part of this damage can be traced to the downturn caused by the coronavirus period, the dominant factor appears to be the lack of essential qualifications within the shipyards during the initial phase of the program, as stated by Ilya Shestakov, head of the Federal Fisheries Agency, in remarks covered by RBC.
The ambitious program to build fishing and crab vessels in Russia took shape in 2018. Five years into the investment effort, the shipyards still struggled to meet the original targets. Shestakov noted that only 14 of the planned 105 vessels had been sold up to this point, underscoring a substantial gap between the project’s goals and its execution.
“There are serious problems in the construction of the fishing fleet”, he observed. “These issues began even before the sanctions and may be partly explained by the pandemic. Yet the primary difficulties stemmed from a lack of the necessary competencies at the shipyards during the program’s first phase.”
According to Shestakov, the remaining 37 crab fishing vessels are slated for construction over the next five years, extending the timeline through 2027. The rollout process, however, is hampered by apparent misalignments in contractual obligations between shipbuilders and fishermen, complicating coordination and timely delivery of the new fleet.
In related coverage, Izvestia reports that there is no anticipated shortage of fish and fish products in the Russian market over the coming six months. The Federal Fisheries Agency reassures that the assortment will remain robust with staples such as herring, cod, mackerel, shrimp, and squid continuing to be available in stores, helping to stabilize supply concerns amid the ongoing program challenges.
It is clear to industry observers that the scale of the fleet modernization plan requires not only capital investment but also a clear transfer of know-how and robust project governance. The Canadian and American markets watch closely how Russia manages the shift toward a modern, domestically produced fishing fleet, given the potential implications for global supply chains and seafood pricing in North America. Analysts suggest that improvements in shipyard expertise, enhanced contract management, and accelerated skill development will be critical to restoring pace and confidence in the program. This evolving situation illustrates how production efficiency and strategic supplier relationships can influence the pace at which a country can expand its seafood capacity while maintaining quality and safety standards.