Nuclear Reset - Program on Strategic Stability Evaluation (POSSE)

Chapter 24. Global Partnership499In addition to the dismantlement of nuclear submarines, significantassistance has also been forthcoming in the area of handling spentnuclear fuel and radioactive waste, transporting the submarinesto the recycling yard, and creating the infrastructure neededto carry out the work. The previous technical shore facilities arebeing rehabilitated.Thus, a new long-term storage facility in Sayda Inlet intendedto receive dismantled reactor blocks and other nuclear componentsfrom nuclear submarines has been put into partial operation. The secondstage of the Sayda project, consisting of the construction of a newfacility for the reprocessing and storage of radioactive waste, is alreadyunderway (with financial assistance from Germany).Construction of a solid and liquid radioactive waste handlingand temporary conditioned waste storage facility is underwayin the Andreyev Inlet. The waste handling facility is being createdso that the waste can subsequently be sent to the Atomflot plantin Murmansk. This project is being supported financially by GreatBritain, Italy, Norway, and Sweden.Rehabilitation of the former Navy base in Gremikha continues,with assistance from France. Work was begun in 2008 to prepare forthe offload of spent nuclear waste and its transport to the Atomflotplant in Murmansk. France has also been helping to complete the modernizationof the Zvyozdochka radioactive waste incinerator.Italy has been financing plans to offload fuel from a former nuclearcruiser for recycling, and to build a multi-purpose sea-going ship forthe transport of spent nuclear fuel and conditioned waste.Construction of a long-term reactor block storage facilityat Razboynik Bay is now under way, following the signing of anagreement in May 2009 under which Japan is to supply the equip-ment for this site.Work aimed at improving the physical protection and conditionof the environment, including the provision of new equipment forthe Nerpa and Zvyozdochka shipyards, is being financed by Canadaand Italy.