Responsible uranium extraction in Niger
Number 1 in nuclear measurements
"Rapport environnemental SOMAÏR 2006" [FR]
Nuclear transport: ad hoc solutions
The wide distribution of ore extraction sites, uranium transformation and fuel fabrication plants, nuclear power plants, and storage facilities requires the implementation of custom shipping solutions with maximum safety and protection requirements. Through its Logistics business unit, AREVA is the sole player acting at an international level at all stages in the nuclear cycle.
Custom services
AREVA develops and implements innovative, high-performance solutions for the transportation of radioactive materials across the globe. It provides:
- technical and administrative preparation of shipments,
- technical and financial management for shipping contracts,
- liaison with the relevant authorities in terms of physical safety and protection and/or public policy,
- shipping using a network of subsidiaries and partners (carriers, forwarding agents, shipping, and rail companies),
- monitoring and traceability of shipments through its Centre Opérationnel de Suivi (COS).
Pacific Teal, shipping spent fuel (Cherbourg)
Shipping at all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle
Through the use of its subsidiaries specializing in logistics, AREVA has a set of 46 freight cars and 70 trucks for the exclusive purpose of nuclear material freighting.
Each year, the group manages over 3,000 convoys of nuclear materials combining several modes of transport, with almost 1,000 at the back end of the fuel cycle.
On the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle
The Logistics business unit organizes the safe transport of uranium concentrates, natural and enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6), and new fuel assemblies used in nuclear power plants across the globe.
At the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle
AREVA organizes the road, rail, and sea transport of used fuel destined for storage or recycling.
An international player
- In France, there are around 200 shipments per year to remove 1,200 tons of used fuel discharged from reactors. These shipments are made from EDF nuclear power plants to the AREVA processing plant in La Hague. They are mainly transported by rail from the nuclear power plants to a special rail terminal, and then by road (40 kilometers) to reach the plant in La Hague.
- As part of recycling contracts for used fuel entered into between AREVA and foreign electricity companies (Japan, Great Britain, etc.), the transport of used fuel is carried out from the customer's country by various means (sea and/or rail and/or road) to the La Hague plant. Recyclable nuclear materials and waste from the processing of these used fuels are sent to customers, in accordance with French legislation.
