ST. PETERSBURG/OSLO. Jan 21 (Interfax-AVN) - Norway will continue to finance the disposal of Russian nuclear submarines if provided with analysis from ecologists, the Bellona international ecological organization told Interfax on Thursday with reference to the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority.
In particular, Norway will continue to fulfill its contracts with the Nerpa ship repair plant in the Murmansk region and the Zvyozdochka federal state unitary enterprise on the disposal of nuclear-powered submarines of the Viktor type.
Bellona official Igor Kudrik said that after the August 2003 tragedy, when the K-159 submarine sank in the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry decided to conduct ecological analyses concerning the scrapping of decommissioned submarines.
The analyses were conducted by the British Enviros consulting agency and coordinated by the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority.
Bellona said that the results of the expert analysis provided by the Zvyozdochka and Nerpa plants, which were responsible for cutting up two Viktor submarines using Norwegian finances, were incomplete.
Despite the fact that the preliminary assessment of the situation was "satisfactory," a decision has been made to suspend financing of future contracts pending the removal of drawbacks and full inspections.
The Norwegian side also insists on evaluating the risk of fuel transportation to the Mayak plant for subsequent recycling.
Other countries, including Canada, launch similar projects with the same kinds of expert analyses, Kudrik said, adding that "this has helped reduce utilization risks and make optimal decisions."