Shipment of MOX fuel from Europe to Japan

Press release

July 19, 1999

On June 30th 1999, TEPCO/Kansai, COGEMA and BNFL announced that the date of departure, name of the vessels, departing ports and total number of assemblies and casks would be communicated one or two days before the departure from Europe.

In accordance with this announcement, we herewith communicate the following :

1. Departure date from Europe : July, 21th 1999
2. Name of the vessels : Pacific Teal and Pacific Pintail
3. Departing ports : Cherbourg in France and Barrow in UK
4. Total number of fuel assemblies : 40 assemblies
5. Total number of transport casks : 7 casks

The maritime route and approximate timing of arrival in Japan will be communicated one day after departure from Europe. The transportation of nuclear material, including MOX fuel, is strictly governed by an established system of international regulations covering the special transport packages, known as casks, the design of the purpose-built ships, and the physical protection arrangements.

Nuclear material has been safely transported by sea since the 1960's. For the MOX shipments, two armed PNTL vessels escort each other, and they depart from Europe together. This statement is being released simultaneously in UK, France and Japan by BNFL, COGEMA and TEPCO/Kansai respectively.