Rosatom has taken the necessary precautions to compensate for the delay in commissioning the Arktika nuclear icebreaker, Project 22220 lead ship, by the Baltiysky Zavod plant enabling Rosatomflot Company to fulfil its navigation contracts in the Northern Sea Route, a Rosatom spokesperson told RIA Novosti on July 12.
"We knew about the United Shipbuilding Corporation's request to put off the commissioning of the Arktika and took the necessary compensatory measures, including that of extending the working life of the existing nuclear icebreakers. In this way, Rosatomflot will cope with its mission in the Northern Sea Route. Shipping traffic will be monitored so as not to let it get too heavy," the spokesperson said.
Somewhat earlier RBK reported on good authority that the commissioning deadline was moved forward to 2019 after it became clear that the Arktika would not be put into service in 2017. According to the publication, the decision to this effect was taken by President Vladimir Putin. He also ordered to take "personnel, organizational and executive decisions" in connection with the failure to deliver the ship on time.