Communication of transport operations

In addition to strictly enforcing internationally accepted and regularly reviewed safety rules and recommendations as well as ensuring the smooth operation of their international nuclear transportation, the industrial partners involved in the transportation of nuclear materials between Europe and Japan wish to increase the global understanding of the shipments.

The industrial partners are aware that along the overseas shipment routes, the interested governments and local public should be informed about the safety measures taken so that they are in a position to understand and assess the issues involved. The companies therefore consider that they have a responsibility to make the relevant information accessible and are continually assessing the most appropriate way to achieve this.

Representatives of BNFL, COGEMA and the Japanese utilities have been listening around the world to understand local concerns and have discussed aspects of vitrified residues transports with governments officials, representatives of regional organisations and members of the media. A "come and see" approach has also been implemented: representatives from the governments of various countries, journalists and academics have visited PNTL's facilities and the relevant nuclear facilities in the UK, France and Japan.

For example, when the third vitrified residues shipment transited the Panama Canal (1998) a group of journalists, together with a local environmental group, were invited to see the Pacific Swan and its cargo and stayed on board for about four hours as the ship moved through the Canal. In the same spirit, the Pacific Sandpiper visited in 1998 both Cape Town and Durban (South Africa) as part of an extensive informational mission to increase understanding of the safety of shipments of nuclear materials between Europe and Japan. The ship, carrying empty transport casks, entered the harbour of each city and was visited by media, government officials, academics and the general public (more than 2,500 people). Visitors were able to tour the vessel and discuss all aspects of PNTL's transport operations with the ship's crew and other staff. Regular open days are also held in Barrow for members of the public to see the PNTL ships and meet with the crews and staff.

A range of user-friendly briefing materials (brochures, videos and other information materials) have been produced and disseminated to the public. They cover all the main issues in varying degrees of detail and explain how the nuclear materials are transported. Information is also available on the BNFL and COGEMA internet sites.

The transport operations of the PNTL fleet are also discussed with community leaders and local members of the public in the regular meetings of the Ramsden Dock Terminal Liaison Committee in Barrow, the home port of the PNTL fleet. The Committee comprises representatives from Barrow Borough Council, Cumbria County Council, the local emergency services and BNFL staff.

The 1998 informational mission in South Africa