Russia Launches Digital Shipyard and Arctic Drone Shipping Trials

Two ambitious projects in northwest Russia aim to reshape shipbuilding and maritime logistics through automation and high-tech platforms.

Two groundbreaking initiatives are underway in Russia’s Northwestern Federal District that could redefine the future of shipbuilding and cargo transport. According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Karelia has launched the country’s first fully digital shipyard, while the Arkhangelsk region is testing unmanned marine vessels to deliver supplies to remote Arctic areas.

Arkhangelsk will be the first region to trial autonomous cargo vessels under Arctic conditions. The pilot project, showcased at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), begins this July with test routes between Arkhangelsk and island territories, eventually extending across the White Sea to the Solovetsky Islands.

Meanwhile, a digital shipyard is now operational at the Onega Shipbuilding Plant in Petrozavodsk. This next-gen platform covers the entire ship lifecycle—from 3D design to post-launch monitoring. It promises to slash build times, reduce costs, and minimize design errors.

Backed by federal funding of 5.8 billion rubles and additional support from the Republic of Karelia, the plant aims to scale up production to include fishing vessels, research ships, and even icebreakers up to 80 meters long.

The digital shipyard is projected to boost Karelia’s Gross Regional Product by 5.5 percent. Meanwhile, the Arkhangelsk pilot could set the stage for drone shipping adoption in other northern territories, bolstering Russia’s standing in high-tech logistics and transport.