Experts from the Moscow Centre of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) have completed pre-launch inspections of the universal nuclear icebreaker Sibir and the flagship universal nuclear icebreaker Arktika. This was announced by the FSUE Atomflot's (part of Rosatom) communications department, TASS news agency reports.

For a fortnight, WANO specialists observed the work processes and interviewed crew members of Atomflot's nuclear-powered vessels and Baltiysky Zavod's employees.

'WANO experts were able to fully explore the procedures and criteria for commissioning nuclear icebreakers, familiarise themselves with the working processes on board the vessel and discuss the training and qualifications of personnel', Atomflot General Director Mustafa Kashka was quoted as saying in the statement.

At the final meeting, experts from WANO-MC presented a preliminary report of the pre-launch inspections, where they highlighted areas for improvement and made recommendations to improve the level of safety assurance during the operation and construction of Project 22220 icebreakers.