Delivering Success
Achievements
In addition to our ongoing commitment for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, in the last year we have:
Took ownership of the INF3-class nuclear cargo vessel, Oceanic Pintail
Accompanied the British Prime Minister on his trade mission to Japan
Attended the industry Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul
Innovated to remove unnecessary restrictions and maximise packing efficiencies within IAEA fissile material exceptions, potentially unlocking millions in savings to the industry
Completed the first shipment of separated plutonium under the Global Threat Reduction Initiative
Supported RWMD to develop the generic transport system designs and safety cases for the packaging and transport of radioactive material
Case studies
Here is how we apply our expertise to deliver success for our customers:
Transport Case study
First ever separated plutonium shipment under GTRI
INS has undertaken several shipments of research materials, test reactor fuel and radioactive sources from Europe to the US under the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI), a cornerstone of President Obama’s foreign policy.
In March 2012, supporting its customer AB Svafo, INS undertook the marine transport of three kilograms of separated plutonium from Sweden to the US for permanent secure storage. This was the first transport of its kind, carried out with the utmost discretion and on our newly-acquired INF3 vessel, Oceanic Pintail.
This shipment was undertaken on a greatly accelerated timescale and was completed prior to the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Korea. It was held up as an example of Sweden delivering on its non-proliferation commitments at the summit, which was attended by world leaders.
This great success for Sweden and the US, in which INS played a key role, represented a perfect example of how INS contributes to the successful delivery of intergovernmental agreements on the custody and transportation of specialist nuclear materials.
Licensing Case study
Fissile exceptions – improving waste transport efficiency
INS has been instrumental in encouraging the adaptation of existing IAEA regulations to better support the bulk transport of nuclear materials with a small fissile content – with potential savings that could run into the millions across the nuclear industry.
IAEA regulations for packaging and transporting fissile material, unirradiated fuels and separated materials has historically been focused on movements associated with the front end of the fuel cycle, not decommissioning. When translated to often far bulkier decommissioning wastes, containing a relatively small ratio of fissile content, the result was a hugely inefficient system where bulk materials had to be either substantially reworked to pinpoint the fissile contamination, or had to be split into very small quantities that required a great number of transports.
INS’s licensing experts, who contribute to the IAEA transport safety regulations, played an active role in agreeing new decommissioning-focused regulations that allow for fissile exceptions when the material is contained amid bulk wastes. This has allowed decommissioning wastes, now and in the future, to be packaged and transported in far larger volumes, saving massive amounts of money in packing and processing costs over the previous system.
Design Case study
Generic transport systems – UK nuclear waste
INS provides support to the UK’s Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (RWMD) in the development and maintenance of the generic transport system designs and safety cases, related to the safe packaging and transport of radioactive material. This programme of work is required to resolve some of the strategic issues that the UK faces in managing its legacy nuclear waste.
INS’s contribution to RWMD’s work enables it to work toward its goal of designing a method of transporting and permanently storing nuclear waste in a deep geological repository.
INS’s unique nuclear transport skills are a strategic asset for the UK and can make a demonstrable contribution to the delivery of government policy, both at home and abroad.