Emerging issues in radioactive material transport

Nuclear power generates around 16% of the world's electricity and will play an increasingly significant role in meeting the world's need for sustainable, clean and affordable electricity. Industry expansion will bring demand for fuel cycle services placing new and greater demands on transport. The demand for other radioactive materials, like Cobalt-60 sources, is also likely to increase. Few countries manufacture gamma sources and sea transport is therefore vital to distribute them globally. A reliable transport infrastructure is essential to support these industries. The challenge will be ensuring this can be maintained safely and securely in a world where security and other concerns have increased. Sources of nuclear fuel cycle services often are remote from the demand centres. An essential question for future nuclear power generation surely must be: even if availability of fuel can be assured, how can transport to support such a programme be assured? At the front end of the fuel cycle, could existing commercial liner services be relied upon when there are increasing delays and denials of shipments already? Can availability of transport in a commercial environment be assured? Moreover, where will the capacity to transport spent fuel, reprocessed fuel and residues in greater volumes and across expanded routes come from? More transport to areas potentially lacking in infrastructure, service providers and experience raises various issues including compliance with regulation, harmonised standards, security and training. Radioactive materials transport cannot be taken for granted; it faces a variety of challenges, and numerous emerging issues in the wider nuclear industry that have important implications for transport. (author)