MOSCOW, November 11. /TASS/. Domestic developments and production capabilities should become the basis for the development of Russia's icebreaker fleet, says Nikolay Patrushev, presidential aide and chairman of the Russian Maritime Board.

"Despite the existing difficulties, we need to increase the capabilities of our icebreaker fleet, and to do this by using Russian developments and production capacities, using domestic equipment and components," Patrushev said in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper.

He recalled that last week the launch of the fourth serial universal nuclear icebreaker Chukotka took place.

"The existing and still being built icebreaker fleet has no counterparts in the world. Russia maintains global leadership in the construction of nuclear-powered vessels and remains the only country in the world with a nuclear icebreaker fleet," the Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board stressed.

Patrushev drew special attention to the importance of the Northern Sea Route.

"The Northern Sea Route has great potential. This route should become a year-round national sea transport route," he said.

According to the presidential aide, Russia needs to "develop the Great Northern Sea Route from Murmansk to Vladivostok, link it with the existing transport infrastructure, inland waterways, the development of railway lines, and the creation of new deep-water ports."

"To implement the Great Northern Sea Route project, it is important to develop Arctic shipbuilding," Patrushev noted.