Plutonium Transport: Past, Present and Future

Abstract

The transport of radioactive materials dates back to the beginning of the nuclear industry. The development of nuclear plants and the international trade in fuel cycle services has led to a transport infrastructure to service the industry. Advances in radioactive material package design and technology have been led by increasing emphasis on safety assurance and compliance with transport regulations which in many cases exceed those applied to other dangerous goods. In the case of certain materials security during transport has equal emphasis with safety, and plutoniwn. in its many forms, attracts the most onerous security requirements during transport. BNFL has safely and efficiently transported plutonium both nationally and internationally for 30 years. The Company is committed to the continuation of maintaining such transports in a safe, secure and cost effective manner.