Russia / Removal Of Fuel Assemblies From Soviet-Era Ship Completed

Vessel represented a serious radiological hazard for region
Removal Of Fuel Assemblies From Soviet-Era Ship Completed
The Lepse served as a refuelling vessel for the nuclear icebreaker fleet. Photo courtesy EBRD.
The final shipment of spent nuclear fuel assemblies from the former Soviet service ship Lepse has been completed, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said.

During its period of service 1934 to 1988, the Lepse served as a refuelling vessel for the nuclear icebreaker fleet. When the ship was taken out of service it held 639 damaged and distorted spent nuclear fuel assemblies representing a serious radiological hazard for the region which includes Murmansk, a city of 300,000 people.

As many spent fuel assemblies could not be moved, the decision was taken to dismantle the ship.

Want to keep reading?

Register free and get full access to NucNet for 14 days. No card required.

Republish or license this article

MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF NUCLEAR INDUSTRY REPORTING.

Subscribe for full access to every article, the archive and the SMR and AMR database.

Join NucNet