International Nuclear Services

PNTL launches the Pacific Egret

The official launch of a new INF 3 class vessel, the Pacific Egret, for the Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL) fleet took place today in Japan.

Japanese shipbuilders Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, is currently building the Pacific Egret at Tamano shipyard, where the launch by sliding the vessel, stern first, down the slipway took place in front of a number of senior European and Japanese industry representatives.

The Pacific Egret was then towed to an outfitting berth where the vessel will be completed with delivery to PNTL in Japan expected in June 2010. Pacific Egret is due in her home port of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria later this year.

Managing Director of International Nuclear Services Mark Jervis, said: “The launch event is a significant milestone in the process of renewing the PNTL fleet for the 21st century.

“Mitsui and International Nuclear Services successfully managed the build of the Pacific Heron that was delivered in 2008, and we are progressing well with the outfitting of this latest vessel for the PNTL fleet.

The Pacific Egret forms part of an ongoing commitment to provide a dedicated specialist nuclear transport operation. The PNTL fleet has an exemplary record with over five million miles travelled without any incident resulting in the release of radioactivity. The new ship will enhance and extend our capability even further.”

The Pacific Egret will ensure that suitable vessels are available to carry out any future transports of nuclear material between Europe and Japan.