General Director of Rosenergoatom Andrey Petrov confirms that the «Akademik Lomonosov» is to arrive in Pevek, the remote town of Russia's east Arctic coast, in June 2019.

At that time, major parts of Russian Arctic waters are still covered by ice.

The power plant will be fully loaded with nuclear fuel before it sets out on the about 6,000 km long voyage. More than 1,000 km of the sea route is likely to be icy, and icebreaker assistance will be crucial. Especially the waters from the Vilkitsky Strait, through the Laptev Sea and the East Siberian Sea are likely to pose challenges.

In his meeting with Chukotka Governor Roman Kopin this week, Rosenergoatom leader Petrov made clear that the floating NPP is to start test production in the course of September 2019 and later the same year be fully ready for regular production.