Nuclear powered icebreakers at port in Murmansk. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The move does not mean that the state will sell its nuclear powered icebreakers, but the operation of the fleet can again become private.
Privatization in Russia started after the Soviet Union disappeared. Always criticized it was in the center of analysts’ attention, seemed the most questioned theme in Russia and appeared on a new level today.
After the breakup of the Soviet Union the operation of the icebreakers became privatized together with the privatization of Murmansk Shipping Company. The icebreaker themselves, however, remained federal property.
In 2008, the operation of the icebreakers was transferred from Murmansk Shipping Company to the state owned company Rosatomflot.
Recently, Medvedev decided to favour the transfer of state property into private hands by one of his latest decrees no. 1256 from the 28. September. The number of objects owned and financed by the state is menacingly decreasing which nevertheless does not embarrass anyone. The changes are applied to the state privatization program points applied to the Atom fleet of Russia among the rest of federal property positions closed for privatization.
Text: Daria Kocherga
