MOSCOW, November 11. /TASS/. Russia needs to ramp up cooperation with friendly countries - primarily those in BRICS - in shipbuilding and ensuring maritime security, says Presidential Aide Nikolay Patrushev, Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia.

"We must increase our role in the World Ocean, enhance our own capabilities, and strengthen cooperation with friendly countries," Patrushev said in an interview for the Kommersant newspaper.

According to the official, "BRICS member states have big-time maritime potential."

"Even for Ethiopia, the only landlocked BRICS country, maritime trade is of undeniable interest," the presidential aide said.

"The geographic positioning of BRICS countries suggests that we can’t do without working together in the World Ocean. We are talking about maintaining stability and security with regard to maritime routes, combining efforts in shipbuilding, developing port infrastructure, training maritime personnel and introducing new technologies," Patrushev underscored.