Kasyanov Poses Task To Develop Icebreaker Fleet Construction Program
03.02.2003 17:57

RF Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov stated that in the nearest two-three months it will be necessary to work out the strategy for financing construction of new generation icebreakers within the nearest 5-6 years.

During a press conference in Murmansk on Thursday Kasyanov said that at present the Northern Sea Route deploys five nuclear-powered icebreakers. However, in the nearest six years these icebreakers will have to be either decommissioned or considerably modernised.

Prime Minister stressed that the cost of upgrading the existing vessels makes up a quarter of expenditures required for building a new nuclear-powered icebreaker. It will still have to be decided what would be more efficient: modernising old icebreakers, or building new ones.

Kasyanov assured that the government would keep their promise to allocate 2,5 billion roubles for completing construction of nuclear icebreaker "50 Let Pobyedy". This icebreaker will be commissioned in 2005.

News source: ShipBuilding.ru