MODERNIZATION OF FSUE ATOMFLOT INFRASTRUCTURE AND MATERIAL AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES AIMED AT PROVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY IN THE NORTHWEST OF RUSSIA

The article reviews FSUA Atomflot assets and facilities used to manage spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive wastes (RW), their modernization and development, as well as sources of the aforementioned processes financing, which include both Russian Federation and International funding. FSUE Atomflot participation in the environmental rehabilitation of the Northwest of Russia is analyzed, part of which is the status of retired atomic icebreakers and special maintenance vessels decommissioning.
The key direction of FSUE Atomflot policy is safe handling of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive wastes accumulated by the Company itself and other organizations in Murmansk region. Modernization of FSUE Atomflot infrastructure and material and technical resources is meant to solve this task.
FSUE Atomflot operates state atomic icebreaking fleet, which includes commercial operation, maintenance, modernization, repair and decommissioning of nuclear-powered icebreakers and special maintenance vessels. Handling of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive wastes that are accumulated during the process of operation through the assets life cycle is an important part of the Company’s activity.
The important role in the provision of environmental safety belongs to the Strategic Master Plan for Decommissioning of Retired Russian Nuclear Fleet and Environmental Rehabilitation of Its Supporting Infrastructure in the Northwest of Russia, which was ordered by Rosatom and developed under scientific guidance by Nuclear Safety Institute of Russian Academy of Science.
The article further describes the process of SNF and RW handling by FSUE Atomflot, brings up the statistical data of the materials management and transportation. Second part of the article describes the decommissioning of atomic icebreakers and maintenance vessels as part of the environmental safety provision process. The current status of the process, results and development plans are resumed.

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