Floating Maintenance Base “Lepse” placed to open shipbuilding platform (photo)

The operation of placing the Floating Maintenance Base “Lepse” to the open shipbuilding platform of Nerpa Shipyard (branch of JSC Shiprepairing Center «Zvyozdochka») was completed on October 28, 2014, FSUE Atomflot says in its press release.
 
According to Mustafa Kashka, Chief Engineer of FSUE Atomflot, it is an essential step towards reduction of potential environmental risks associated with staying in water. Also it a transition to the next phases of the project, in particular, the construction of a shelter and removal of spent nuclear fuel. 
  
Over the two years which FMB “Lepse” spent at Nerpa Shipyard it has undergone preparatory operations and required paperwork.
  
The project on decommissioning of FMB “Lepse” is being implemented under the contract between the Federal Centre for Nuclear & Radiation Safety (FCNRS) and FSUE Atomflot of Rosatom.  All operations fully comply with the Russian legislation and international standards. Radiation situation was normal throughout all the operations. 
  
International cooperation on “Lepse” commenced in 1994. In 1996, European Commission included the project into the TACIS programme with the objective of delivering environmental improvements and reduction of risks associated with the nuclear legacy in North-West Russia. The project is financed by the federal budget and by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development under the grant agreement signed between EBRD and FCNRS.