MURMANSK, March 27. /TASS/. Russia needs its own merchant fleet in the Arctic zone, President Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the International Arctic Forum.
"Russia as a sovereign country needs its merchant fleet in the Arctic region, including cargo and rescue vessels that will support transportation both over northern seas and also inland waterways of Arctic regions. It should be recognized that domestic shipbuilding capacity alone is not sufficient now for these goals," the president said.